Ed Maixner

In part two of our articles on efforts to rebuild Rural America, we look at how rural leaders are looking at new ways to attract employees to live and work in small towns.

As millions of employees rethink their jobs that have been impacted by COVID, some rural community leaders hope they'll move out to the country for a better and more affordable quality of life.  

The arena of rural broadband interests – providers, companies, co-ops, and government agencies – all hit the ground running when COVID-19 invaded.

A nationwide cap and trade program hasn’t been on the legislative horizon since the idea died in Congress in 2010, but government and private market developers are counting on there being a robust demand for carbon offsets from a host of corporations, including energy companies, airlines and even major food companies, that need to offset their emissions.

The recent derecho’s crop damage is so severe in a swath across Iowa and northern Illinois that many farmers will rush to replace bins the horrific wind also razed, but many won't.

Recent years of financial stress and trade disruption in agriculture, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, produced new challenges for farmer-owned agricultural coops and have prompted many to rethink their business models.

Countless deteriorating dams on rivers and old farm ponds out in the pastures are in escalating need of rebuilding before disaster strikes again. Some federal help is available for reservoir owners ready for the task.

Contract chicken growers are struggling to cover their costs because of outbreaks that have forced poultry processors in many areas to slow operations and reduce the number of birds their farmers will produce.

The White House and states have granted an array of temporary waivers on truck load limits and permits, though what many truckers want most is better access to quick, hot food and clean restrooms.