Rural Affairs
A ‘Green Glacier’ is Burying Prairies, Threatening Ranchers and Wildlife
A “Green Glacier” is grinding across the Great Plains, burying some of the most threatened habitat on the planet beneath dense junipers and shrubland.
Newspapers in Rural Areas are Folding, Leaving Vast News Deserts
The U.S. has lost more than 2,800 newspapers since 2005, many in rural areas. Now some journalists are trying to provide local news with new business models.
Kansas Farmer Brings Renewable Energy Future to Concordia
A Kansas farmer has built a renewable energy program at Cloud County Community College, embracing sustainability workforce training to confront climate change.
Energy Efficiency Program Helps Rural Businesses Keep the Lights On
The Rural Energy for America Program is providing crucial funding for rural development projects looking to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.
‘Lifeblood of the Community’: States Invest to Save Rural Grocery Stores
In Kansas, 1 in 5 rural grocery stores closed between 2008 and 2018. No new store has opened in half of the 105 communities that lost grocers over that time.
U.S. Hopes to Build Pipelines for Carbon Capture. Landowners Don’t Want Them
Thousands of miles of oil and gas pipelines crisscross the country. Now, more are being proposed to carry things like carbon dioxide to combat climate change.
Agriculture Built High Plains Towns. Now, it Might Run Them Dry.
The Ogallala Aquifer, which spans eight states from South Dakota to the Texas Panhandle, is the primary water source for parts of the region. It’s running dry.
Who Is the Rural Voter? Book Builds on Old Themes to Create New Understanding
With the help of the largest ever survey of rural voters, two political scientists explore the sources of division between rural and urban America.
Boom or Bubble? High Farmland Prices Encourage Investors, Concern Farmers
Outside investment in farmland continues to increase, but some economists and many farmers worry deep pockets are pushing prices above what the land is worth.
This Land is Our Land: States Crack Down on Foreign-Owned Farmland
As foreigners buy up American farmland, lawmakers in more states want to keep certain countries out.