CARI Research Projects

Buffalo Commons

The eleven county western panhandle of Nebraska is the focus of the Buffalo Commons research project designed to identify potentially successful strategies for residential recruitment and retention in sparsely populated rural areas. The study aims to enhance the ability of rural places to attract and retain new residents by addressing critical questions related to rural in-migration.

Faculty Research

CARI affiliated faculty as well as faculty from the Department of Agricultural Economics frequently undertake research projects with important implications for rural Nebraska. The results of their research can help policy makers, community leaders and local residents make informed decisions that will benefit their future.

Research Services

The Center for Applied Rural Innovation conducts survey research on a regular and an ad hoc basis. CARI also periodically conducts surveys for other organizations depending on requests and available resources.

Rural Poll

Since its beginning in 1996, the Nebraska Rural Poll has served as the aggregated voice of rural Nebraskans for policy issues. Poll findings are distributed to state legislators, staff members of the Nebraska congressional delegation and other state and local leaders to facilitate their policy decision making with rural issues in mind.