search articles:     from the issue of September 8, 2005         Rural poll marks decade of insight Rural trends, issues and views are more visible and better understood thanks to a decade of results from a UNL survey. Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources researchers in the Center for Applied Rural Innovation launched the Nebraska Rural Poll in 1996 to track rural views, challenges and concerns, and to give policymakers a rural perspective. Ever since, the annual survey has charted views on timely topics and tracked changes through standing questions. "The poll has become an institution in the state and a way for rural Nebraskans to be heard on the issues of the day," said Randy Cantrell, a rural sociologist on the poll team. Policymakers and community leaders say the information helps make better decisions. Results generate media interest statewide and nationally. The poll is mailed each March to about 7,000 households in Nebraska's 84 rural counties and researchers share findings that summer. "The rural poll helps us to work with community leaders and donors to create strategies which will create the greatest impact given current facts and sentiment," said Jeff Yost, head of the Nebraska Community Foundation. Jon Bailey of the Center for Rural Affairs said the poll is one of the few sources of widespread public opinion about what kinds of development policy rural people want. "The poll has been invaluable in our work with state and federal policy makers and in helping to shape our public policy positions," he said. UNL researchers also use findings to examine what influences community satisfaction, migration and other rural Nebraska changes. The poll is a national model with others launching in Mississippi and Indiana. This year, UNL's Public Policy Center began collaborating on the poll, which is funded by the Partnership for Rural Nebraska and IANR's UNL Extension and Agricultural Research Division. GO TO: ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 8 NEWS HEADLINES FOR SEPTEMBER 8 Kooser's verse draws accolades External research dollars hit record level Year in Review $2 million grant puts UNL into international physics experiment Headlines tout campus successes IANR scientists in top-20 worldwide for article citations iDiverse to develop stress resistant crops ITLE grants bolster teaching Master plan moves closer to completion Rankings place UNL among America's best - Academic workplace in top 10 Rankings place UNL among America's best - University rates in top 50 nationwide Rural poll marks decade of insight Scientists break into Discover's top 100 list Soy oil research helps shape food allergen labeling rules Team wins $3 million DoD grant Undergrads experience research firsthand UNL heads back to Antarctica UNL, UNMC create surgical tool 732197S34902X