In the last 20 years, small schools facing budget cuts often removed elective classes. This left skills like cooking and growing fruits and vegetables unlearned.

Center for Rural Affairs’ Greenhouse to Cafeteria program has been a solution for schools that have faced those decisions in the past. Not only does it fill a hole left in the curriculum, it also means healthier foods are served at lunch.

Do you help take care of a child with special health and behavioral needs? If so, you are not alone. Over 43.5 million family caregivers in America provide a vast array of emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking and other services on a daily or an intermittent basis.

Sprout Champions Crowned in Iowa State Fair Talent Search

DES MOINES, IA (08/17/2017) (readMedia)-- Three talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have been selected to perform in the Championship round in Bill Riley's 58th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform in exhibition on Sunday, August 20, but will no longer be competing.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:

MOLINE – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced $112,365 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The Rural Energy for America Program was established to increase American energy independence and lower the cost of energy for producers through energy-efficiency improvements and the development of renewable energy systems.