We’ve told some big stories. Now we’re listening.
Hey Neighbor,
We’ve spent the past year listening to rural people tell the story of their own communities – not just what’s missing, but what’s being built: farms restored, markets opened, businesses strengthened by sun and soil. Together with you, we’ve helped share a powerful narrative, one that reflects what rural people already know to be true: rural folks are the engines of our economy, solving problems close to home and building lasting change from the ground up.
These stories push back on tired assumptions. They show what it looks like when federal funding meets local knowledge — when a farmer gets the support she needs to grow food that nourishes her neighbors, or when a small business cuts energy costs and creates a new job. And despite the challenges of these times, we’re just getting started.
You’ve been part of this work — as storytellers, collaborators, and partners. We’re so grateful. And we want to share what we’re learning.
We partnered with the Climate Advocacy Lab to test how audiences respond to themes in our stories — and found that messages focused on lasting benefits consistently match or outperform those centered on loss in rural communities. That finding reinforces a core part of our approach: not just because it works, but because it reflects what rural people are asking for — something steady to hold onto, something real to build from. Especially in a moment this uncertain, we’re not interested in fear-based frames or narratives that flatten rural experiences. Rural communities don’t need to be warned or lectured. They need to be seen. They already know the challenges. What they’re looking for is a vision worth turning toward — one that honors their agency, resilience, and role in shaping what comes next.
That’s why we’re sharing a story about what it looks like when rural people take matters into their own hands, and why we’re proud to lift up Nancy Gresham-Jackson’s work this week:
Warrenton hadn't seen new housing in decades, until Nancy and Red stepped up. What started as one triplex has grown into new duplexes, a flea market, and soon, a laundromat — all built by locals who love their town and saw what it needed. With support from HUD-funded lending through the Housing Assistance Council, these two are bringing quality, affordable housing back to the rural Georgia community, and showing what’s possible when neighbors invest in each other.
Their story is one of care, commitment, and community return, and a reminder that rural people aren’t waiting for change. They’re building it themselves.
These lessons also remind us of the story of Beatrice Kamau, who noticed that her rural community lacked access to the culturally meaningful foods she grew up with — and rolled up her sleeves to do something about it. After moving from Chicago to Beecher, Illinois, Beatrice realized that traditional Kenyan vegetables were missing from local stores and markets. With the help of a USDA conservation grant, she began growing crops like amaranth and African nightshade on six acres of land. “These vegetables light people up,” she says. “It brings up stories. It connects people.” Her farm, Multiple Harvest, is a testament to cultural connection and the determination rural people bring to meeting community needs.
Beatrice's story of local innovation was created in partnership with Climate Land Leaders and created by the IL-based videographer Chan C. Smith.
As we plan for the next phase of this program, we’re looking to learn from others who are reaching rural audiences in smart, creative ways — through digital organizing, influencer partnerships, or storytelling strategies that feel grounded and real.
If that’s you, or someone you think we should talk to, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime to our storytelling team by responding to this email. This next chapter isn’t about reinventing the story. It’s about making sure more people get to hear it — and see themselves in it.
With gratitude,
The Resource Rural Team