MIRROR-SUN

LYONS, Nebraska

Date: Thursday, August 20,2009 F+ OJmhOplnion-2

Frequency: WEEKLY &g&+ =yy- --, Circulation: 735 qp]$%%3#$ ., u P.P

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Sign-up now for the Conservation Stewardship Program CFM- guest opinion

The U.S. Department of also be made for those willing Agriculture began accepting to adopt resource conserving sign-ups for the new Conser- crop rotations. This program vation Stewardship Program pays producers for clean wa- (CSP) on August 10. 2009. ter, better soil management, The sign-up is now continu- improved habitat, energy ef-

c&be filed at ersto follow in a Natural Re- order to par- sources Conservation Service ticipate in the program. The (NRCS) office (http://www. list includes downloadable nrcs.usda.gov/about/organi- checklists and a contract ap- zationiregions.html). plication form.

Enrollment for the new CSP Thecenter is also encourag- is nationwide and the program ing farmers, ranchers and oth- is not limited to certain wa- ers to call thel3enterforBuml tersheds. Affairs' Farm Bill Helpline to

The CSP rewards farm- leam more about the program ers for maintaining existing ,.and application process as well conservation practices and as to share information on any for adopting additional prac- baniers farmers or ranchers tices on cropland, grassland, encounter during the sign-up. improved pasture, rangeland, Producers can call (402) 687- non-industrial private for- 2 100and ask for the Farm Bill estland and tribal lands. A Helpline or send an email to supplemental payment will tracib@cfra.org.

Universal Information Services , Inc. http://news.universal-info.com Rofile: 111 - Center for Rural Ahits Recipient: John Crabtree

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IIIIIIII111ll11111111ll11ll111I 11111 ~- - __---.

Olearlline to Apply for Ne- braska Value-Added

- Grant A~proaching September 25 is last day to apply LYONS - Recently the Nebraska

- - -- Department of Economic Development announced that September 25th is the deadline for submitting applications for the next round of grants available through the Agricultural Innovation and Value-Added Act. For both value- added grants and Building Entrepreneu- rial Communities Act (BECA) grants, there is a combined total of one million dollars available. The maximum grant request for a value-added grant is $75,000.

The grants are for Nebraskans and designed to support collaborative de- velopment among falmers and ranch- ers; the start-up and growth of value- added agricultural enterprises; and growth of rural communities and re- gions. '

"Any producer needing planning or working capital funds to move their value-added ideas forward should

, check out the State of Nebraska Agri- cultural Opportunities And Value- Added Partnership Act grant," com- mented Kathie Starkweather, Rural Opportunities and Stewardship Pro- gram Director at the Center for Rural Affairs. "Individuals interested in ap- plying for a grant should not hesi,tate as

; the d~adline of S"ptembkr 25 is quickly I approaching and the process can b e - ; extensive." The apphcation form can be found at: www.ruralnebraska.info. Anyone with question can contact Kathie at the Center for Rural Affairs, at (402) 438-8496, or kathies@cfra.org.

In 2008, staff from the Center for Rural Affairs assisted four entreure- neurs in preparing a proposal and all four of them received some funding: Nebraska's Finest Meats (Wausa and Randolph, NE); Burbach Countryside Dairy (Hartington, NE); Sandhills Creations (Geneva, NE) and Nebraska Waters (Plainview, NE).

For more information on the State of Nebraska Agricultural Opportunities And Value-Added Partnership Act Grant and how to apply, visit: www.ruralnebraska.info.

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

"LIPPER-HERALD f WED./SAT. BI-WEEKLY 1 LEXINGTON, NE

Circulation= 2476 ! 0811 212009

K Edge class DAWSON COUNTY - For people in Dawson and Gosper

counties looking to start a new business and draw up a business plan there are still a few seats open for the 2009 PK EDGE class starting later this month.

The class is for entrepreneurs who need to write busi- ness plans. According to Jean Issler, EDGE program man- ager, there has been good participation in registration and she wants more business owners and prospective business owners to have the chance to sign up before the class starts Aug. 25.

There are 12 sessions in the class, which meets nearly every Tuesday night from 6 - 9:30pm at the Minden Exchange Bank. In addition to having instructor Lois Thom, MBA, of Minden, the classes feature local, expert, guest speakers in every important business topic. Researchers, a marketing professional, accountant, bankers, a lawyer and more are on tap to offer timely pro- fessional advice.

EDGE graduate Rick Buercr of Buerer Computer Consulting in Kearney took the class in 2007.

"The PK Edge class is awesome for learning and gather- ing all the aspects of putting together an effective busi- ness plan," Buerer said. "I highly recommend this class to anyone that is considering starting a new business or expanding an existing one."

Nebraska Rural Living's Betty Sayers, another gradu- ate, said that EDGE classes opened her mind to methods, systems, resources, and skills to improve their business.

"Due to the EDGE class, I clarified the vision for our business and eliminated extraneous actions and expens- es," said Saycrs. "The research materials and speakers are relevant to starting and improving a business."

PK Partnership, sponsor of the class, is a public-private consortium of area professionals with a deep interest in helping South Central Nebraska busii~esses succced. One of the partners is REAP'S Dena Beck of Minden. She audited thc EDGE class last year.

"Rural Enterprise Assistance Project is proud to spon- sor PK EDGE," Beck said. 'As a statewide microenter- prise development program, REAP sees the great benefits of the EDGE course to our businesses and local economies."

Registration is open until Aug. 24 or until the class is full. Registration forms are available from Jean Issler at 308-995-2347 or on the web at www.PKPartnership.org.

The EDGE web page contains more information about the class, including the topics covered in each session.

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M I D L A N D S

Wind: Renewable energy standard raises questions Continued from Page 1

be free to pursue renewables as "they make economic sense for our custon~ers."

"it really comes back to lo- cal control and trying to decide what's best for your own commu- nity," Sahling-Zart said.

'lho members of Nebraska's congressional delegation said that while they support develop- ment of wind energy, they were unsure about adopting a federal RES mandate.

Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., is leery of the impact such a man- date could have on ratepayers, a spokesmarl said.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., said he is unsure whether man- dates or incentives for building wind farms would be the best course.

The National Renewable En- ergy 1,aboratory estimated that if 20 percent of the nation's ener- gy was generated by renewable sources by 2030, it would create nearly 26,000 construction jobs in Nebraska, 31,000 permanent jobs, $21 million a year in lease payments to landowners and $31 million a year in additional prop- erty tax income.

The group's research estimat- ed that Iowa uiould see 63,401 construction jobs and 9,000 per-

"If the feds adopt a good renewable energy standard, that means there will be an automatic market for wind all over the country. And where's the wind? Here.''

manent jobs created by the same standard.

The big concern for Nebraska, almost everyone agrees, is that new transmission lines a re need- ed to carry any wind-generated power from remote hills to popu- lation centers, a multimillion in- vestment.

Hans Detweiler, director of state policy for the American Wind Energy Association, said that unless Congress sets a high RES, there won't be sufficient incentive to invest in the expen- sive transmission lines to reach Nebraska's world-class wind resources. That would leave the state like dozens of frontier ghost towns that were bypassed by the railroad.

Detweiler characterized a Senate bill that would create a 15 percent RES as a "status quo" measure that would do little to encourage more wind farms in Nebraska.

The association, which rep- resents wind turbine and tower manufacturers, contends that a

20 percent KES would create the needed incentive.

Nebraska, mainly because of its unique status as a public power state, has been playing catchup in the game to harness the economic benefits of wind.

While the Cornhusker State has the sixth-highest potential to generate wind energy, it ranks 22nd in production.

Iowa, meanwhile, ranks No. 2 nationally in wind energy gen- eration and generates 7.1 per. cent of its electricity from wind, compared to Nebraska's 0 87 percent.

Nebraska took steps to en- hance wind development through laws passed last spring.

OPPD recently announced plans to pursue a 40-turbine wind farm at Humboldt, near the Kan- sas border. NPPD is pursuing new wind farms near Petersburg and Broken Bow, in central Ne- braska. Both utilities appear on track to reach their voluntary renewable goals.

The vote on a federal renew-

able energy standard is expected to come after the contentious de- bate over health care is over. The KES measure could get caught up in a hotter energy issue - the proposed "cap-and-trade" sys- tem to control carbon emissions and address climate change.

Jay Ilolmquist, executive di- rector of the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, said it's un- derstandable why the American Wind Energy Association is seek- ing a high federal renewable en- ergy standard: to increase busi- ness for its members. But rural electric associations see the costs of a mandate being shifted directly to ratepayers at a time when there a re more economi- cal and reliable ways to generate electricity, he said.

Wind energy proponents said the decision on a federal stan- dard will be a critical vote in determining whether Nebraska becomes a big player in wind en- ergy.

"If the feds adopt a good re- newable energy standard, that means there will be an automatic market for wind all over the country," said Rich Lombardi, a Lincoln-based lobbyist for the wind energy association. "And where's the wind? Here." Contact the writer: 407-473-9584, pnul.hammel(a)owh.com

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UNL Ag Students Tour Farms BY I-INDA WUEBBEN - - -

P&D Correspondent

For the eleventh year, Chuck Francis from UNL guides his group of summer students through farming country in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska

Francis stops every year in northeast Cedar County for a home-cooked meal at the St. James Marketplace while travel- ing from one farming operation to another.

"My students are from a wide range of Ag specialties like Natural Resources, Geography, horticulture, agronomy, plant protection as well as those inter- ested in farming," said Francis. "They tell me every year at the end of the week, it is the best class they have ever taken; bet- ter than a whole semester of class."

The 22 students visiting yes- terday at St. James had been exposed to all facets of farming: big farms and small, organic and conventional: grain, livestock and vegetable.

Francis said they all begin with reading material before

. - they head out to the farms but the intensive eight day schedule shows all aspects of agriculture today and favors none.

At the week's end, the stu- dents are divided into teams of four and they must produce a project document of what they learned. They also need to write an individual reflection of their opinions of farming as they see it - ..

There certainly will be some comparisons about production farming and the environmental impact which is seen. The social dimension of farming and com-

munity has also been observed and comments will be made.

So at the Marketplace, the social interaction with farming and community was demonstrat- ed. Francis wanted the students to see the multi-dimensional lay- ers of farming and experience a community who did not take no for answer but strengthened the community-farming connection.

The owners of an organic grass fed beef operation, Martin and Linda Kleinschtnit of Hartington, talked to the group about finding ways to be cre- ative and also politically active in rural areas.

The couple took over the con- ventional farming operation from Kleinschmit's dad in 1971. By the 1980s, they realized they needed to change the system. They both became involved in the Center for Rural Affairs and began work- ing to change public policy and opinion. They became involved in small energy projects, food and water quality issees, quality of farm life, sustainable agricul- ture and eventually organic agri- culture.

Kleinschmit asked the group to consider if the technology fits what they want for their life.

You can farm without chemi- cals in Nebraska," said Kleinschmit. "We did it for gener- ations but the skills are being lost." Organic farming saves money and protects the environ- ment he added. It also is easier to pass to the next generation and builds soil quality. It is of course a more labor-intensive farming process but smaller farms can make a profitable liv- ing.

Kleinschmit told the young crowd if one is farming with one eye on the commodity market, it

will be difficult for beginning farmers to make it work. He believes in 20 years, farming will have a different attitude about large farming operations and the face of agriculture will be changed once again.

There is a federal proqram which recently received $1.9 ~ , ; i l - lion dollars for organic farmill!: training through the Natural Resources & Conservation Service. It may be the only way for a beginning farmer to get his foot onto a farm.

Farmers are aging across the country and many wonder how the next generation will pick up the slack in agriculture. Several young men admitted during the meeting, farming was in their blood; to them it is a lifestyle they want to live just like their dads lived

Kleinschmit said he believes farmers have to find an alternate market; something different; something special like organic farming arid grass-fed beef. It has to be a new market which has a new customer base.

"We have mined our soil ant1 now the nutrients are gone," said Kleinschmit. "It's time to put grass on corn rows." He added the biggest obstacle tc! organic farming is peer pressure and the lack of understanding for the need to protect the environment.

They were all ready to learn. They came together from four Midwestern states to see exam- ples of agriculture and none were disappointed. The young agricultural students could see the hand-writing on the wall. It is time to save the small farrns and keep them alive or where will be the future for all of them.

GAZETTE

McCOOK, Nebraska

Date: Tuesday, August 25,2009 Frequency: DAILY Circulation: 5903 Clip Size: 13.68 sq. inches Ad Rate: $10.95 Pagelsection: 3

REAP office open Aug. 28 1)ena Heck, ccntlnl ;tntl

soutliwes t Nel)t.iiski~ Business Specialisl ~ l i f l l t11eCt~1it.w fm

Afftiirs' Rt~ri~l 1?11ti~r- prise Assisti~ncc* Yrojcct will hold officsc 11oul.s i l l M cCook on Aug11st 28t.h. Ilours will be lo:(.)() a .m. until 2:45 p.111. McCook Econolnic ikvelol)- ~rient Corp. (ME1)C) will 11arl- dle the appointments; (:308) 345-1200. MEI)C oflice is 10- cated at 301 Norris Avenue, Suite 200.

The -for Rural Af- fairrs' Rural Enterprise Assis- tance Project (REAP) and its services are availal)le to rural communities across Ne- t~raska. RFAl' offers technical assistance, educational iulrl

nt~tworkilig opportunities,; ilntl a loi111 progrilln for snlall. businrsses. W is designed: to assist all types of small. I~usinesses, iucluding busi-] Ilrsses with s or fewer em-, ployees, self-employed. full-tinie, part-time, home-. hi\secl, fi\~.m-b;lsed, start-up, and store-front businesses. BEhl' 1i;rs six regionally based Husincss Specialists across Nebraska. These Business Sl)eci;tlists can get involved in assisting cntrepreneurs at vario~ls stages of their busi- ness progress.

MMIC is pleased to part- ner with -REAP in order to offer an expanded list of serv- ices to brisinesses of all sizes.

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NEMAHA CO. HERALD

AUBURN, Nebraska

Date: Thursday, August 20,2009 Frequency: WEEKLY Circulation: 2628 Clip Size: 18.44 sq. inches Ad Rate: $6.35 Pagelsection: B 10

Deadline to Apply for Nebraska Value-Added Grant Approaches; September 25 Is Final Day to Apply

Recently the Nebraska Department of Economic DG- velopment announced that September 25th is the deadline for submitting applications for the next round of grants available through the Agricultural Innovation and Value- Added Act. For both value-added grants and Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA) grants, there is a combined total of one million dollars available. 'The maximum grant request for a value-added grant is $75.000.

The grants are for Nebraskans and designed to support collaborative development among farmers and ranchers; the start-up and growth of value-added agricultural enter- prises; and growth of rural communities and regions.

"Any producer needing planning or working capital funds to move their value-added ideas forward should check out the State of Nebraska Agricultural Opportuni-

ties And Value- Added Partnership Act grant." commented Ka~hie Starkweather, Kural Opportunities and Steward- ship Program Director at the Center for R u r a l A i h h . "lndividui~ls interested in applying for a grant should not hesitate as the deadline of Sept. 25 is quickly approaching and the process can be extensive." The application form can be found at: www.rur;rlnebraska.info. Anyone with question can contact Kathie at the-, at (402) 438-8496, or kathies@cfra.org.

In 2008, s~aff from t h e C e n t a 9 k E m U E a i r s assisted four entrepreneurs in preparing a proposal and all four of tliern received some funding: Nebraska's Finest Meats (Wausa and Randolph): Burbach Countryside Dairy (Hartington); Sandhills Creations (Geneva) and Nebraska Waters (Plainview).

For more information visit: www.cfra.org.

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BURT CO. PLAINDEALER Date: Wednesday, ~ u g u s t 19,2009 Frequency: WEEKLY

TEKAMAH, Nebraska Circulation: 1588 Clip Size: 38.1 2 sq. inches Ad Rate: $8.27

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Pagelsection: 15 p c C m m g ZOO! \ All Rl* Resvcd +- -

On The Grow Econon~ic dcvclopnlcnt in Burt time, as a community, to decide County- your vision for the future of your The 7'1: Keys to Big Success in community is essential. Building Sniall Towns on your strengths and opportuni-

Thc title of this arti- clc comes from the title ol' a book that I refer to oftcn, writ- ten by Jack Schulc~. Schultz is a consultant and speaker, a champion of small towns. He recognircd the benefit that small towns could deliver to busincsscs and began to rcscarch what sets successful communi- tics apart from dying ones. After muchtravcl and business consul- tations. hc came up with a list of factors that make it possihlc for people in small towns to prosper. He rcfcrs to them as the 7'12 Keys to Succcss.

1. Adopt a Can-Do Attitude -When I hear pcoplc say "We tried that bcrorc and it didn't work," it drives mc crary! There is always more than onc way to skin a cat! A community that believes i t call do something is not afraid to fail trying. You just try again. This doesn't nican there won't bc disagreements. It means that pcoplc arcn't afraid to air thcir grievances, and hcy will be addrcsssd in the manner and focus of what is best for thc town.

2. Shape Your Vision - Makc no small plans! Taking the

tics while working to-mitigatc your weaknesses and threats is what a successful town does to shape its vision.

3. Leverage Your Resources --Tikc stock of your area's resources and build on them. At a recent public meeting in Tekamah, a consultant asked the group to list the community's strengths. I heard such things as fricndly residents, grcat schools. Summit Lake, hunting opportu- nities, proximity to larger metro- po1it;tn arcas and interstates, among others. Burt County's location, rural yet close to both the Omaha and Sioux City metro areas, is uniquc.

4. Raise Up Strong Leaders -In my last two columns. I talked ahout the new program. Leadership Burt County, which begins in Scptember. Leaders are esscntial for any community suc- cess. They come in all shapes and sizes. We want to give peo- ple thc tools to fill the leadership posit~ons throughout the county.

5. Encourage an Entrepre- neurial Spirit -We are very lucky in Bun County LO bc ihc home of the Center for Rural Affairs. Among other things, it has a department-Rural Entcr- prise Assistance Project (REAP)-with the primary func- tion to assist the start-up and growth of new businesses. Our

by Patty Plugge office at BCEDC can also assist.

6. Maintain Local Control -In small towns, compared to large cities, i t is much easier to access the channels of govern- ment. While local ownership is rlot as prevalent as in (he past, thert: are still retail and service stores and manufacturing plants that have local owners in our county. They have a vested inter- est in the communities, not just for theil- businesses but for their home.

7. Build Your Brand - Focus on what your town can do or provide for others, what quali- ties make i t attractive. Those become y-our hrand, what your community is known for.

7%. Embrace the Teeter- Totter Factor -It takes only a small shift one way or the other to make a negative or positive impact on a community. Towns that are aware of this keep their weight on the positive end. no matter what thechange.

Burt County Economic Development Board of Direc- tors: Cynthia Petersen, Oakland City Clerk; Gerald Newill. County Supervisor: Jim Swcn- son. County Supervisor; Gene Rollins. County Supervisq: iluane Slaughter, City of Lyons; Charlie Whcaton, Lyons City Council; Gary Krutilek, Oakland City Council; Leanne Dorathy, Mayor of Tekamah; Gary Ander- son, Tckamah City Council; Ron Baumert, Washington County Bank.

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RECORD WEDNESDAY WEEKLY CHADRON, NE I

I Circulation = 2673 0811 212009

Nebraska healthcare advocates to senators:

Fight for us, pass reform As our Senators prepare

to come back home for the August recess, we ask them to fight for us--every Nebraskan knows someone who fights for their life while fighting insurance, or someone who runs a small business and fights to pay the increasing premiums, or someone who simply fights to get insurance cov- erage.

It's timc our Senators fight for Nebraskans; it's time to pass healthcare reform this year.

Over the past few months, Nebraskans have heard ftom both Senators about the critical need to fix the broken system, including Senator Nelson's bl-partisan letter thts month

:-stating he IS ':firmly com- ' mitted to enactment of comprehensive reform this year."

We want to reniind our Senators that we need their leadership to pass health- - care reform this year. We need them to fight for us.

Recent reports document the urgency to pass healtli- care reform and what the cost of keeping the status quo represents: + Farnilics USA reports over 220 Nebraskans are losing health Insurance every week because of the rising cost of hc:illh insur- ance premiums, and 100 Nebraskans die every year because they do not have health coverage-this is on top of the over 200,000 Nebraskans who currently have po ?n?urance. -+ The Cekter for Rira l Affairs jssued a report from Small Business Majority which found that 63% of Nebraska's small business- es -including our farms and ranches--believe healthcare reform is impor- tant to getting the economy back on track. Additionally, 82% of businesses not offering health insurance

say they can't afford to or are really struggling to do SO. + SEIU and NE Appleseed report your average Nebraskan family currently spends more than $14,000 on health insur- ance and that cost gocs up at least $1,500 each year. + AARP reports that 3 1,534 Nebraskans between 50-64 are unin- sured and people on Medicare are spcnding about 30% of their incomes on out-of-pocket health care expenses.

If we do nothing to reform the system, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation estimates, health costs for families, individuals and businesses doubling over the next :lo . years and the rate of-the uninsured going up to 40% of Americans.

All of these are critical numbers--but we also have stories fro111 our neighbors who make this issue real and who remind us why it's time for reform now.

Jim, a fellow Nebraskan who has farmed his entire life needs Senator Nelson and Johanns to fight for him. Jim is already spend- ing half of his income on health insurance for him- self and his wife.

Bonnie and her husband, two professionals who were laid off, have been dcnied coverage by privatc insur- ance becausc of their pre- existing conditions, nor can they affordthe state's CHIP insurance program of last . resort. They are now among the state's uninsured population.

Rodney, a fork-lift opera- tor from Omaha, was diag- nosed with cancer. Rodney's employer ended his health insurance a year after he was diagnosed leading to significant out- of-pocket medical bills. Unfortunatcly, Rodney lost

his battle with cancer and the debt from his treatment still remains a burden for his wife and sister. The Amcrican Cancer Society Cancer Action Network all too often hears stories like Rodney's demonstrating the need for health care reform.

Affordable health insur- ance must cover what Nebraskans need to keep them healthy, provide ade- quate coverage when they need it, and protect them from out of control costs.

Several committees in Congress have been work- ing diligently for over a year to find the most help- ful and productive policies for reform. The House health care reform bill eon- taii?s ,several ,- significant policy reforms. that will :" .- bring us closer to a health care system that works for all Nebraskans.

It's time to put good pol- itics to work to get good policy in place for Nebraska's farmers, ranch- ers, families, and business- es throughout our rural and urban communities.

We urge both Senators Johanns and Nelson to work towards comprehen- sive reform that ensures all Nebraskans have the health care they need at a cost they can afford. Above all else, we ask the Senators to fight for us. It's time to pass health care reform this year.

AARP Nebraska American Cancer Society

Cancer Action Network Nebraska

Center for Rural Affairs Nebraska Appleseed

Center for Law in the Public Interest

Nebraska Alliance for Healthcare Reform

Nebraska Health Care for America Now

SEIU Change That Works Nebraska

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1 CHADRON, NE Circulation = 2673

0811 212009

- :

Deadline for applications &$proaching licccrl~ly thc Ncbraskii

L)cpartmcl~r oi' Ecoiiorriic Dc\;clopn~ct~t announced Ih;lt Stx]*. 25 is the deadline fix subunitting applications for the ncxt round of grants available through the Agricultnral Innovation and L'aluc-Addcd Act. For both valuc-addctl grants and Building Llntl-cprencurinl

C'onimunitics Act (BEC'i\) grants., there is a combined total of one millioll dollars available. The rnaxi~~ium grant request for a value- added grant is $75,000.

The grants are for Nebraskans and designed to support collaborative dcvelop~nent among farrii- ers arid ranchers; the start-

up and growth of valac- added agricultural enter- prises: and growth of rural comr~iunities and regions.

The application form can bc found at: ww\v.ruralne- braska.info. Anyone with 1 question can contact Kathie at the Center for Rural - Affairs, nt (402) 438-8496, -

or kathies@)cfr-a.org. In 2008, staff from the

Center fo r Rural Affairs assisted four entrepreneurs in preparing a proposal and all four of them received some funding: Nebraska's Finest Meats. Burbacll Countrysidc Dairy, Sandhills Creations, and Nebraska Watcrs.

f70r more infornx~tion on the grants and how to apply, visit: www.ruralne- braska.info

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0811 312009

Deadline to Apply for Nebraska Value-Added Grant Recently the Nebraska De-

partment of Economic Develop- ment announced that September 25th is the deadline for submit- ting applications for the next round of grants available through the Agricultural Innovation and Value-Added Act. For both value-added grants and Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA) grants, there is a combined total of one million dollars available. The maximum grant request for a value-added grant is $75,000.

The grants are for Nebraskans

and designed to support collabo- rative devcloprnent among farm- ers and ranchers: the start-up and growth of valuc-addcd agricul- tural enterprises; and growth of rural communities and regions.

"Any producer necding plan- ning or working capital funds to move their value-added ideas forward should check out the State of Nebraska Agricultural Opportunities And Value-Added Partnership Act grant," com- mented Kathie Starkweather, Ru- ral Opportunities and Steward- ship Program Director at the

Center for Rural Affairs. "lndi- viduals interested in applying for a grant should not hcsltate as the deadline of September 25 IS

quickly approaching and the process can be extensive." The application form can be found at: www.ruralnebraska.~nfo. Anyone with questions can contact Kathie at the Center for Rural Affairs, at (402) 438-8496, or kg th l e s f~ . cS~~ . org.

In 2008, staff from the Center for Rural Affairs assisted four entrepreneurs in preparing a pro- posal and all four of them re-

ceived some funding: Nebraska's Fincst Meats (Wausa and Randolph, NE); Burhach Coun- trysidc Ilairy (Hartington, NE); Sandhills Creations (Geneva, NE) and Nebraska Waters (Plainview, NE).

For rnorc information on the State of Nebraska Agricultural Opportunities And Value-Added Partnership Act Grant and how to apply, visit: ~~~~v.rural!!cI,~a_s&a. info

For more information visit: W M . ~ Ici:ra. o r g -

JOURNAL STAR

LINCOLN, Nebraska

Date: Frequency: Circulation: Clip Size: Ad Rate: Pagelsection:

Thursday, August 13,2009 DAILY 74795 57.89 sq. inches $62.56 B 1

Survey: Most small firms back public health option

BY NANCY HICKS Lincoln Journal Star

Barb and Dennis Barnhill are caught in the middle of a mod- em health insurance nightmare.

She awns a salon where hair- dressers rent their own chairs. He operates a siding company.

-Because they don't have ac- cess to group health insurance plans for bigger businesses, they must buy insurance for their family of five from the private market.

In November, Dennis was di- agnosed with Type I1 diabetes. His prescriptions cost about $300 a month. They switched insurance

and was diagnosed with m e I diabetes.

The family ran up $10,000 in medical ex- penses that night alone.

And now they're trying to find a way to pay off the $10,000 and keep up with the premiums, Barb Barn- hill said.

"I'm sure I'm not alone. There are lots of families who have had devastating health care problems," she said Wednesday.

Barnhill spoke at a news conference in which Ne- braska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public In- terest reported the results of a six-state survey of small-business owners about health care con- cerns.

Nebraska Appleseed is a nonprofit that supports policies promoting self- sufficiency for the work- ing poor, including a gov- ernment-run health in- surance option.

plans to fit their medical costs into their budget.

They re- duced their premiums from $750 to $400' a month on an

insurance plan with a high - $10,000 - deductible. i h e lower premium would free $300 for the monthly medications. They switched plans on June

4. Four days later, their 11-year- old son suffered seizures, went to the hospital by ambulance

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Health Like many small-busi-

ness owners responding to the survey, the Barnhills would welcome a public option.

More than 80 percent of small-business owners participating in the survey expressed support for a meaningful role for a pub- lic health ir~surance p1311.

And 58 percent said they were willing to con- tribute financially to pro- vide quality, affordable health coverage for their businesses.

The results run counter to a survey of Nebraska business owners last fall.

When the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry questioned 1,300 business represen- tatives, it found little sup- port for a government plan among businesses that list health care as a top concern.

Eight percent of busi- nesses preferred govern-

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thsir own businesses, igcludlne Ilk

W06iym, 7; Zilch, 12; and Babq 11. that Ur~lle taa Type II diaktes, end

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ment -run plans. The favorite option -

backed by 42 percent - was to allow businesses to pool their purchasing power.

More than 90 percent of Nebraska Chamber members provide some kind of health care cover- age, said Barry Kennedy, president of the state chamber.

But about 83 percent of businesses in the Apple- seed survey did not offer health insurance.

Small businesses are an important part of Nebras- ka's economy, said Jen- nifer Carter of Nebraska Appleseed.

More than 36 percent of Nebraskans are self-em- ployed, own a small busi- ness or work for a small business, said Jon Bailey of the-- fairs. Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhichs@journalstar.com.

The survey of 586 small businesses in four states included 103 Nebraska busi- nesses - mostly in Lincoln and Omaha, but also some in Columbus, Lexington, South Sioux City and Wakefield. (Because of rounding, some r e sponses do not add up to 100 percent.) National fi- On public oversight of hwance cornpa nles 1 69 percent said there' should be more public oversight of private health insur- ance companies. 1 12 percent said there should be less public oversight.

18 percent were undecided.

1 63 percent want a choice between pri- vate insurance and a public plan. H 20 percent want a public plan with no private plans 1 10 percent want private plans only. 1 7 percent were un- decided. Willingness to con- tribute to p u b plan

9 percent would be willing to pay 12 percent or more of payroll. 1 19 percent would be willing to con tribute 8 to 11 per- cent.

28 percent would be willing to pay 4 to 7 percent.

32 percent would be willing to pay I to 2 percent. 1 11 percent would not be willing to con- tribute.

Universal Information Services , Inc. http://news.universaI-info.com Page: 111 Profile: 111 - Center for Rural AfFain Recipient: John Crabtree