Report for America

woman with short dark hair holds a blue scoop full of oats up to a white horse, who munches on the oats. The woman has her hand on the horses face.

Heart’s Pursuit Ranch Offers Horse Powered Healing

By Vicky Diaz-Camacho, Cami Koons | August 11, 2023

Sarah Hanson, founded Heart’s Pursuit Ranch, which pairs individuals and horses together to help folks deal with anything from trauma to self-confidence.

Drink Green Juice, Save a Donkey

By Cami Koons, Maddie Main | July 28, 2023

Zen Donkey Farms is an organic juice company in the Kansas City area that uses proceeds to support a donkey rescue and animal-assisted therapy nonprofit.

young cows with tags on their ears stand in the mud of a hoop barn.

Missouri Cattle Producers Slash Herds Amid Worsening Drought

By Cami Koons | July 20, 2023

The worsening drought in Missouri is forcing livestock producers to sell off their cattle herds, decisions that will be felt at the supermarket cash register.

A vertical sign on a tall brick and white stone building reads "FOX" lower down a digital marquee reads "Sound of freedom"

Rural Rebirth: The Art of Being Atchison

By Cami Koons | July 14, 2023

Atchison has enough historical attractions that put it — and keep it — on the map. But the people of this rustic river town want more for their community.

A stone building with bluish green metal on the front reads "Hall of Waters" a stone water tower is on top of the building, as is a flag.

Rural Rebirth: Excelsior Springs, Eternally

By Cami Koons | June 23, 2023

Excelsior Springs faced the same fate as many rural towns, declining population and vacant downtown buildings. But that didn’t happen. Here’s its rural rebirth.

rolling prairie land with colorful native plants and lush green. the sky is overcast and a storm can be seen in the distance.

Missouri Farmers Embrace Practices to Protect Waterways

By Cami Koons | June 20, 2023

Missouri farmers are implementing sustainable practices that protect waterways and improve the sustainability of their operations.

A man in a gray shirt and black pants bends over a row of short bean plants situated at the base of a trellis. With his hand he demonstrates the size of the beans yielded by the plants to address food security.

A Lawrence Farmer’s Innovative Approach to Food Security

By Cami Koons | June 7, 2023

LAWRENCE, Kansas — Pantaleon Florez III looks at food security as an issue to be solved. He asks those working in local food systems (and himself) what they would do if their community didn’t have a hunger issue. “That’s my new narrative: ‘What would you do if you didn’t have to do this work?’”…