Rural communities across the nation boast rich traditions, both new and old. Stay up to date on the latest news, reviews, and storytelling on rural arts and culture. From music and film, to literature and history, to festivals and food, we’ve got it covered.
Commentary: The Dismantling of Rural Legal Aid
Starting with President Reagan, decades of Republican-led efforts led to a gradual corrosion of civil legal aid services. Rural communities saw legal aid offices close and some rural residents lost the only legal help available to them.
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For the Love of Peanuts
A severe drought, lack of price support, and high costs of fuel and fertilizer weren’t enough to discourage Joel Hicks from farming what brings him the most joy – peanuts.
Commentary: Veterans Need More Than Thanks; We Need to Tell Our Stories
After 10 years of silence, veteran Diana Oestreich found the words to talk about her experience as an Army medic in Iraq. Her hope for this Veterans Day is that more veterans can do the same.
Brushy Mountain: A Prison for a Century, Now East Tennessee Tourist Attraction
“The modern-day Brushy walks this fine line – for the most part successfully – between being a kitschy tourist stop and a grim reminder of the history of Tennessee incarceration.”
45 Degrees North: On Culverts
When you live where there aren’t municipal water and sewer lines, you can’t take for granted where your water comes from and where your waste goes. But our private wells and septic systems only go so far in managing water and waste. For surface drainage, the unsung hero of rural life is the culvert.
Interview: Elliott Skeen, President of America’s Clogging Hall of Fame
“If they are willing to learn, I am willing to teach.” – That’s the philosophy the master clogger adopted from one of his dancing idols. These days he’s wondering how to get more young people interested in dancing.
Accidental Rancher: Paying an Homage
Eliza Blue remembers a recently passed collaborator, friend, and a mentor.
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45 Degrees North: Bread Crumbs In The Forest
Whether you’re hunting, fishing, or cutting firewood in the Back 40, let a trusted contact know where you plan to be – as much for their sake as your own.
Q&A: New Documentary “Hockeyland” Honors Small-Town Stories
Documenting the 2019-2020 hockey season of two northern Minnesota high school teams, “Hockeyland” highlights the icy heritage central to the Northland’s small towns.
What Happens When a Newspaper Dies?
McKeesport, Pennsylvania, lost its daily paper in 2015. The closure has undermined both high-profile journalism and the bread-and-butter information that helps a community function, says reporter-turned-scholar Andrew Conte.
45 Degrees North: Battling Buckthorn
If you’ve battled invasive species like kudzu or garlic mustard, you get it: At some point the fight feels futile, but giving up is not an option.
#Cottagecore: Rural Life Goes Viral
The #Cottagecore craze sweeping social media idealizes rural life. Is it a celebration? Or a perversion?
Down by the Green River at the Rochester Dam, Muhlenberg County Dedicates Park to John Prine
“Now I can say that there is a park here at the Rochester Dam … We can come and … remember all of the good that he left all of us.” — Fiona Whelan-Prine
Accidental Rancher: The Fall and the Prairie
Eliza Blue reaches into her mind’s back pocket to remind herself of some important autumnal “to-dos.”
45 Degrees North: Shopping At Roadside Stands
Cash, courtesy, and cartons – they’re all appreciated when you shop at roadside stands, whether you’re just passing through or live right up the road.
Commentary: The Power of Kindness
We can choose to have more civil and compassionate politics. Rural America is the perfect place to start.
Glacier’s Red Buses Offer History and Sustainability
The National Park’s iconic mode of transportation is a hit with tourists, carrying on average 60,000 people each summer.
Baseball May Be America’s Pastime, But International Players Are Taking the Stage
This year, 275 players from countries and territories other than the U.S. debuted in the MLB, while the country of Curacao made the finals in the Little League World Series.
East Tennessee’s Louie Bluie Festival Builds Stronger Communities through Cultural Heritage
Most folks in Campbell County, Tennessee, hadn’t heard of Howard Armstrong before his namesake Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival started 15 years ago. Now Armstrong’s artistic legacy is part of empowering people through culture all year long.
Music Festival Brings Acclaimed Classical Musicians to the Kansas Prairie
Through musical collaboration and cultural exchange, the Ad Astra Music Festival in Russell, Kansas is proving that classical music isn’t just for urban elites.
How Can Journalists Engage Communities More Divided than Ever?
An organization trains journalists on how to build trust with their readers in a hostile media environment.
Celebrating ‘Democracy Day’: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
On this ‘Democracy Day,’ we look back on a classic film that emphasizes the value of democratic engagement even when political realities leave something to be desired.
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