Establish strong rural communities, social and economic justice, environmental stewardship and genuine opportunity for all while engaging people in decisions that affect the quality of their lives and future of their communities.

• RURAL ENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE PROJECT (REAP):
  Microenterprise development presents a potent economic and community development strategy to combat rural poverty. REAP was started in 1990 to meet the needs of self-employed persons in the rural Midwest. Through individual assistance and roundtable groups, the program provides training, technical assistance, lending capital and networking opportunities for starting and growing a business. REAP has loaned over $3.8 million, while also leveraging an additional $8.3 million from other sources. REAP has provided business developed services to over 7,500 micro businesses.
  
  Founded in 2001, Nebraska's only Women's Business Center, funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration, is housed with REAP. The REAP Rural Hispanic Business Center specializes in serving the growing population of Nebraska rural Hispanic entrepreneurs, including bilingual training and assistance. It was started in 2004.
  

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• RURAL OPPORTUNITIES & STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (ROSP):
  Building on the agricultural base, the program improves opportunities for stewardship and success for farmers and ranchers through alternative markets, alternative farming practices and investments in a new generation of farmers and ranchers. Land Link matches retiring farmers and ranchers with beginners. It was the first program of its kind and has been replicated in 20 states and Japan, Australia and Canada.
  
  ROSP also concentrates on helping rural communities thrive with capable rural leaders and entrepreneurs. CFRA works in small rural communities to assess community strengths and priorities, develop leadership and policy skills, support locally-owned businesses, engage youth and seniors, and jump-start locally-led projects.

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• RURAL POLICY PROGRAM:
  The Center works for agricultural policy that strengthens opportunity for family farmers and ranchers and promotes good stewardship of our natural resources. CFRA pushes for a comprehensive and thoughtful policy vision - one that integrates agriculture, conservation, research and rural development to improve future of rural communities. The Center is building a National Rural Action Network to engage rural people across the nation in helping to shape the policy decisions that affect their lives and the future of their communities.

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• RURAL OUTREACH & ORGANIZING PROGRAM:
  The Center is building a Rural Action Network to engage rural people across the nation in helping to shape policy decision that affect their lives and the future of their communities. Created in 2007, this program focuses on the growth and expansion of the network.

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• RURAL RESEARCH & ANALYSIS PROGRAM:
  Created in 2002, the research and analysis program continues a longstanding tradition of research and analysis on emerging issues which are critical to family-scale agriculture and rural communities. CFRA reports Swept Away and Fresh Promises have been recognized nationally as important analysis on the challenges facing rural America. A new series, Building Wealth in Rural Communities focuses on ways to enhance economic well being in the nation's rural communities.

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• REAP and Land Link projects work with interested groups and individuals. Fees vary, cost-share available.
• Speakers Bureau - travel and expenses.
• Publications - visit the CFRA website at http://www.cfra.org.