Despite a slight rebound from October’s five‑year low, Creighton University’s latest Rural Mainstreet Index report shows the Midwest & Northern Rockies heartland still mired below growth neutral, with weak grain prices, soft ag land values, and cautious rural bankers keeping recession risks elevated. November’s RMI: Off the Floor, Still in the Red The Rural Mainstreet…
By Bob Shepard County Fair Memories in Rural Michigan I remember the Shiawassee County Free Fair as a great gathering of rural folks with many youth bringing the culmination of their 4-H projects to be judged, whether they were of blue, red, or white ribbon caliber or even grand champion worthy. The county fair had…
Soil is essential to environmental sustainability. Soil is one of the most valuable natural resources in rural communities, yet it is often overlooked in planning and policy discussions. Conventional tillage methods contribute to soil erosion, water runoff, and declining fertility—threatening both agricultural productivity and local ecosystems. No-till farming offers a solution, reducing soil disturbance while…
Rural communities rely on agriculture—not just as an economic driver, but as a foundation for long-term stability and environmental sustainability. However, land degradation, climate change, and shifting market conditions are forcing many communities to rethink how they support local agriculture. Sustainable agriculture offers a way forward, but it requires more than just individual farmers adopting…
