Podcasts about rural communities

Rural America has lost more than 10% of its family physicians since 2017, according to a report published late last year. What does that mean for patients and communities? On today's episode, host J. Carlisle Larsen speaks with Dr. Colleen Fogarty, the William Rocktaschel Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and lead author of the national study, about what the data reveals — and what happens when even one doctor leaves town. This episode originally aired on February 16, 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you Cheryl

As the agricultural community faces a shrinking number of farmers, the importance of each vote in elections has never been greater. Joanna Guza speaks with Jason Mugnaini, Executive Director of Government Relations at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, about the ongoing I Farm, I Vote campaign, which aims to engage farmers and rural citizens in the electoral process. Resources mentioned in the episode: I Farm. I Vote. Volunteers For Agriculture Endorsements My Vote Wisconsin Campaign School — Nov. 10, Nov. 12 and Nov. 17 This was sponsored by Wisconsin Farm Bureau. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nevada's Hank Vogler joins Trent Loos on Rural Route to expose the challenges facing rural America. Hank shares what he saw at his 60-year high school reunion, where a closed mill shows how the forest industry and thousands of jobs vanished. They explore how farm technology, the Great Depression…

Why can mental health be so difficult to talk about in agriculture? Sam and Easton explore the unique pressures farmers carry—from finances and isolation to the responsibility of keeping land and a family legacy alive. Rather than blaming farmers for being unwilling to talk, they challenge agriculture to create better opportunities for conversations to happen naturally and earlier.Sam shares the story behind Perfect Sundays, a six-episode fictional drama created after farmers repeatedly encouraged him to address farmer suicide following the success of his film Silo. The series follows a dairy family rebuilding after losing its patriarch to suicide and a mother's attempt to create a value-added ice cream business. By using entertainment and authentic farm storytelling, Sam hopes viewers see themselves in the characters and begin conversations that may otherwise be difficult to have. Easton introduces Project Farm Dog, a nonprofit shaped in part by his family's experience losing his father after a long battle with alcoholism. Farm Dog isn't intended to replace crisis resources such as 988. Its focus is prevention: reducing stigma, connecting farmers with professionals who understand agriculture, and funding care so cost and insurance don't become additional barriers. Its “trusted ear” concept comes from the relationship many farmers have with their farm dog—a place where even the toughest farmer may let their guard down. The message is ultimately about acting before the difficult season arrives. Just as farmers prepare equipment, marketing plans and labor before harvest, Easton argues that health, wellness and relationships should be part of that same checklist. Building resilience, checking on a neighbor, saying a problem out loud, and knowing where to turn for help can all make a difference. Farmer mental health isn't one person's responsibility—it will take farmers, families, agribusinesses and communities working together to make asking for help a normal part of agriculture. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode:  KFF Health News, “Tracking Implementation of the 2025 Reconciliation Law: Medicaid Work Requirements, August 3, 2026, https://www.kff.org/medicaid/medicaid-work-requirements-tracker-overview/.  Our World Data, “Measles cases in the United States1919 to 2026,” September 18, 2026, https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/number-of-measles-cases?time=1919..2026.  Kristin Wright, “Pennsylvania says an unvaccinated woman has died from measles-related complications,” September 13, 2026, https://www.npr.org/2026/09/13/nx-s1-5968093/pennsylvania-says-an-unvaccinated-woman-has-died-from-measles-related-complications, National Public Radio.  Aria Bendix & Erika Edwards, “Pennsylvania teen dies from measles complications, health officials report,” September 15, 2026, https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/pennsylvania-teen-dies-measles-complications-coroner-cdc-2026-rcna597980, NBC News. Yasmeen Abutaleb & Dan Levine, “Pennsylvania asks for CDC measles help amid Kennedy dispute,” September 17, 2026, https://www.reuters.com/world/pennsylvania-asks-cdc-help-measles-outbreak-demands-agency-recognize-measles-2026-09-17/, Reuters.  Rebecca Yeboah, “Building Rural Age-Friendly Communities by Expanding CHW Training,” September 1, 2026, https://www.ruralhealth.us/blogs/2026/09-september/building-rural-age-friendly-communities-by-expanding-chw-training, National Rural Health Association.  Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.

In this episode of Hi, Energy!, we learn about energy accessibility for rural communities with Jess Blackwell,  Program Manager at High Sierra Energy Foundation, and Host Esteban Gast. Jess Blackwell shares the real time priorities for residents in Inyo and Mono Counties, demonstrates how energy programs can be more inclusive for rural communities, and shares the ways we can better connect energy issues to real life concerns. Additional Resources: California Public Utilities Commission California Energy Commission TECH Clean California Access Clean California New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and LinkedIn, and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.

Send us Fan MailWhile many victims of intimate partner violence often face barriers like isolation and lack of access to services, for those in rural communities those barriers can be amplified. How do we aid these victims? How do we reduce these barriers? How can we improve conditions to better support victims in rural communities? These are the questions we answer today with our friend Kim Koepf from the Thumb Area Assault Crisis Center! Stay up to date with our episodes and happenings by following us on Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and LinkedIn and please email any questions or feedback to TouchySubjectsPodcast@gmail.com or head to our website TouchySubjectsPodcast.com.If you or someone you know wants assistance please call the National Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or visit https://www.thehotline.org or the National Sexual Assault Helpline at 1-800-656-4673 or RAINN.org.Music credits: Uplifting Summer by Alex_MakeMusic (2021) Licensed under a Pixabay License. http://pixabay.com/music/dance-uplifting-summer-10356/The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the host's own and might not represent the official views and opinions of the agencies in which they represent.

The MAHA Lowdown with Jeff Louderback – Independent farmers face growing pressure from corporate consolidation and global supply chains, while communities struggle to access healthy food. Wendell Berry's vision of stewardship inspires a renewed commitment to local agriculture, transparent labeling, fair competition, and food systems that protect rural livelihoods and future generations...

Luke speaks with Jasmin Jones, Mayor of Yass Valley.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

STS member Dr. Sean Jordan, chief of thoracic surgery and director of lung cancer screening at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, saw firsthand the barriers rural patients in East Tennessee faced in accessing lung cancer screening. In this episode, Jordan shares how a two-year effort—supported by collaboration, funding, and STS Advocacy—led to the creation of a 45-foot mobile CT lung cancer screening unit serving 21 counties. He'll discuss the challenges of bringing screening directly to underserved communities, the potential to detect lung cancer earlier and improve outcomes, and why thoracic surgeons have a unique opportunity to lead and advocate for stronger lung cancer screening programs nationwide.

WCLS staff members, Rosie Everson, Tasia Ross and Joy McGrath discuss the September 12 Community Conversation with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing coming up at the Ferndale Library and the $10,000 grant from the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities that funded that initiative. Find out about the resources we have for our deaf and hard of hearing community and what we can offer with this new funding.

In this episode with Dr Rachel Bican, we discuss access for rural and remote areas to healthcare for paediatric physiotherapy. We explore: Current limitations in the healthcare systemImportance of getting buy-in/partnering with members of the community Importance and process of identifying gaps in the healthcare systemThe role of telehealth and community-based interventionsWhat is currently working well in community access programs 

Today's podcast features an interview with Alycia Bayne, Associate Director for Public Health Research at the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis. She shares highlights from a resource she recently helped to develop, Practical Guide to Supporting Innovation in Rural Health, published on RHIhub's website. The transcript and a list of resources and organizations mentioned in the episode can be found at: https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/innovation-guide-sep-2026 Exploring Rural Health is an RHIhub podcast.

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show Dane Carlson talks with Amy Renner, Community Development Senior Program Manager for the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), about what rural communities really need to move economic development projects forward. Drawing on her experience as the former mayor of a 1,000-person Appalachian community and her current work providing technical assistance across rural America, Amy explains why limited staff capacity can be a bigger obstacle than limited funding, how relationships can unlock resources that communities cannot provide for themselves, and why grants work best when paired with planning and technical expertise. They explore RCAP's work through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Thriving Communities program, examples involving outdoor recreation, infrastructure, mixed-use development, transportation, and entrepreneurship, and the importance of community-led planning that produces action instead of another report sitting on a shelf. The conversation ultimately makes the case that transformative rural development starts by building the relationships and capacity necessary to turn good ideas into projects that are actually ready to fund and implement. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Amy Renner.

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Todd Hansen is a fourth generation farmer in Gildford, Montana. He's been growing pulses since the 90s with a current rotation that includes winter wheat, spring wheat, durum, barley, yellow peas, chickpeas, lentils, canola, and mustard. Over the past several years, he has transitioned from a traditional 50-50 winter wheat/fallow system to a more diversified 75-25 winter wheat, lentil, and oilseed rotation. Hansen is a member of the Montana Pulse Crop Committee and has served on the boards of the Montana Grain Growers Association, the Montana Grain Fund, the National Association of Rural Communities, and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. In this episode, he shares some lessons he has learned growing pulses over the years, his challenges with chickpeas and how he's made lentils work in his rotation despite pressure from weeds, pests and disease. “ I feel like it is not my farm. It is either my great-grandfather's or my great-grandkids', and I am just here to be a caretaker for a little while and hope to God that I pass it on in at least as good a shape, if not better shape, than how I found it when it was passed to me. I just feel like a placeholder.” - Todd HansenThis Week on Growing Pulse Crops:Meet Todd Hansen, a fourth generation pulse crop farmer in Gildford, MontanaExplore what led Hansen to become an avid pulse grower on his family's operation and how he has worked them into his rotationsDiscover how Hansen sees the future market of pulses and what producers can do to capture it Growing Pulse Crops is produced by Dr. Audrey Kalil and hosted by Tim Hammerich of the Future of Agriculture Podcast.

Rural, underserved and minority populations are often not included or not represented in clinical and scientific research. Youssef Roman, PharmD, Ph.D., created the Community Advocacy and Research Empowerment (CARE) Coalition to change that. Youssef received an ORAU Innovation Partnership Grant while at Idaho State University to create the coalition, which brings together stakeholders committed to including rural, underserved and minority populations in research. Youssef hopes to replicate the CARE Coalition in Arizona where he is associate professor of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy and a clinical pharmacy specialist at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System. Youssef says he feels called to address rural, underserved and racial disparities in research. Roman's interest aligns with the work of the ORAU Rural Health Research Innovation Cluster, which also is discussed in this episode. To learn more about and connect with Dr. Roman, visit https://www.pharmacy.arizona.edu/person/youssef-roman To learn more about the ORAU Rural Health Research Innovation Cluster, visit https://www.orau.org/blog/programs/orau-rural-health-research-innovation-cluster-workshop-aims-to-bridge-the-rural-health-gap.html

(Aug 17, 2026) The Adirondack Community Foundation gives out about $10 million in grants each year and is working to strengthen rural communities in the park. Also: Police in Akwesasne are warning community members about an illegal drug called “pink cocaine" that contains dangerous ingredients.

President of the Fawcett Hall and Mechanics' Institute, Sam Hicks, told Jacqui Felgate the full story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tornado can leave a farm standing and still prevent the next crop from going into the ground. North-central Oklahoma farmer Karen Eifert Jones shares what happened after the April 23 tornado passed over her family's headquarters near Enid and tracked across five of their farms. Barbed wire, lumber, shingles and household belongings covered fields and pastures that needed to be planted within days. Karen explains how more than 150 volunteers, neighbors and emergency crews helped locate equipment, wind-damaged fence and walk fields shoulder to shoulder before the next rain. She also shares practical lessons about disaster donations, community shelters, farm mental health, USDA fence assistance, crop decisions and the local relationships that make agricultural recovery possible. Key takeaways: Tornado debris can create serious hazards for planters, combines, livestock and vehicle tires long after the storm. Local emergency coordinators can help farmers locate highly specialized equipment such as hydraulic wire winders. Flexible cash donations allow trusted local groups to purchase the tools and supplies survivors actually need. Community recovery must address mental health, livestock losses, warning communication, and access to safe shelter. Long-term crop rotations still require flexible decisions based on moisture, weeds, labor, cattle, and planting windows. Detailed timestamped rundown 00:00–02:47 — Episode introduction Dave introduces Karen Eifert Jones and the episode's central story: recovering farmland after a tornado scattered fences, construction material and household debris across multiple farms.02:47–03:55 — What is growing on the farm Karen reviews millet planting, completed canola harvest, nearly completed wheat harvest, full-season corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, double-crop soybeans and the cattle operation.03:55–05:04 — Making annual crop decisions The discussion turns to balancing a five-year operating plan with short-term field conditions, rainfall and individual farm constraints.05:04–06:52 — Why millet fits one difficult farm Karen explains how access limitations make hay the only practical option on one rented farm and why millet has become its most profitable use.06:52–07:11 — Hay sales build new relationships A wheat field overtaken by rye was harvested as hay, creating a relationship with a drought-stricken customer who later subleased pasture.07:11–08:49 — Canola's place in the rotation Canola may only break even in some years, but Karen values it as a rotation tool that can improve the following wheat crop.08:49–09:33 — Wheat and canola yield losses Both crops produced roughly one-quarter of expected yields because the moisture needed during production did not arrive.09:33–10:57 — Why the farm still double-crops Double-cropping helps keep the soil covered, manage weeds and provide an opportunity for revenue rather than leaving ground idle.10:57–12:06 — Soybeans, sorghum and weed pressure Moisture, broadleaf weeds, grasses and Johnson grass influence which crop goes into each field.12:06–12:56 — Why double-crop corn does not fit The family has considered double-crop corn but regards the timing and production potential as too marginal.12:16–12:56 — Connecting crops and cattle Corn and sorghum residue can be grazed, so water access, fencing and planned cattle locations also influence crop choice.13:03–15:10 — Buying equipment versus hiring custom work Karen describes how labor availability, machinery costs, custom rates and cooperation with neighboring operations shape equipment decisions.15:10–16:34 — Preparing for generational transition Her son is working as an hourly employee before purchasing shares in the operation, while the family expands primarily through rented land.16:44–19:23 — Remembering the April storm Dave recounts watching tornadoes near Braman and Enid before realizing one was approaching Karen's farm and Vance Air Force Base.19:23–20:28 — Karen watches from Stillwater Karen was attending an Oklahoma State University event and sheltered in the student union after discovering her friend's hotel lacked an adequate tornado plan.20:28–21:43 — The tornado crosses the operation A neighbor sent video showing the funnel over Karen's house. The path crossed the headquarters and continued along five farms.21:43–22:56 — Debris blocks spring planting Four fallow farms were filled with wire and wreckage just as full-season planting needed to begin.22:56–24:29 — The search for wire winders After two unsuccessful days, Karen asked the local emergency command center for help locating a hydraulic wire winder. Within minutes, one was found—and a neighbor located another.24:29–25:06 — One request produces two crews Karen's church planned to send volunteers, while emergency coordinators arranged an additional crew.25:06–26:29 — Walking fields shoulder to shoulder Volunteers searched the ground systematically. One 20-acre field contained so much material that workers could barely take a step without encountering debris.25:30–26:29 — Returning personal belongings Crews recovered photographs, checks, certificates and named clothing that could be cleaned and returned to tornado survivors.26:29–27:29 — More than 150 people volunteer Volunteers came from Enid, Tulsa, Wichita, Oklahoma City, Woodward and surrounding communities, representing many ages and occupations.27:29–28:13 — The Oklahoma Standard in action The hosts reflect on the rural instinct to ask what work needs to be done and then show up to do it.28:13–28:59 — Clearing the final field before rain A second crew completed debris removal around 3 p.m. The planter was already waiting, and the field was planted by 5 p.m.29:14–30:06 — A growing crop becomes a thank-you Karen's son arranged for a roadside banner thanking donors and volunteers. Grain sorghum growing behind it demonstrates what their work made possible.30:08–32:45 — Community shelters and warning access Karen argues for more public shelter options, particularly for lower-income residents, immigrants, apartment residents and people who may not receive or understand warnings.32:45–34:41 — Livestock losses and mental health The group discusses the emotional consequences of losing animals, homes and personal security, including anxiety that can return during later storms.34:41–35:34 — Surviving more than one disaster Karen recounts the story of an elderly couple who lost a home in the 1973 Enid flood and then lost its replacement in the 2026 tornado.35:34–37:51 — What disaster survivors really need Water, snacks, gloves and flashlights were useful, but excess or poorly matched donations created storage and distribution challenges.37:51–38:31 — Cash purchases specialized equipment Local coordinators used donated funds to buy tow-behind magnetic sweepers for collecting nails and other metal from fields and properties.38:31–40:10 — Keep donations close to the community Karen recommends working through trusted local organizations, churches, Extension offices or other groups that understand immediate needs.40:10–40:39 — Leftover supplies become emergency trailers Unused water, first-aid materials, gloves and tools were stored in trailers that can be deployed during the next tornado, fire or emergency.41:14–41:58 — USDA assistance for damaged fencing Karen used her previous USDA experience to help neighbors find the appropriate forms and ask about cost-share support.41:58–43:02 — Previewing an Enid canola meeting The conversation shifts to an Aug. 4 producer meeting focused on canola production, harvest methods, varieties and market opportunities.43:02–44:16 — Comparing canola harvest strategies Wind damaged windrowed canola, while rain complicated desiccation, illustrating that no harvest approach eliminates every weather risk.44:16–45:40 — Canola's renewable-fuel market Karen explains that much of the region's canola enters a specialized market connected to renewable jet fuel, carbon ratings and energy policy.45:40–46:14 — Final reflections The hosts thank Karen for sharing both the tornado recovery story and her perspective on the future of canola.46:14–46:56 — Closing and listener invitation Dave directs listeners to Red Dirt Agronomy for guest information, resources and future episodes. RedDirtAgronomy.com

On this episode of the Small Town Summit Podcast, we sit down and speak with pastor and author, Glenn Daman, about God's heart for small places. We hope this conversation encourages you in your gospel work in your own small town. To register for the STS Fall conference, please visit: www.stsfallconference.comTo learn more about Small Town Summits, please visit: www.smalltownsummits.com

Floods can have devastating impacts on rural communities, affecting families, farms, livestock, crops, and infrastructure. In this episode, Ellen Duysen of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health and Carolyn Sheridan of the Ag Health and Safety Alliance discuss lessons learned from the Midwest floods of 2019 and Iowa's historic flooding in 2024.The conversation highlights the importance of emergency planning, personal safety, recovery resources, and community support. Listeners will learn practical steps farmers and rural residents can take to prepare for future disasters and protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods.Episode ResourcesFirst Aid Resources, GPCAH Topic PageFlood Information, Ready.govFlood Maps, FEMAPlan Ahead to Save Lives, Reduce Damage, Press Release by Ellen Duysen

What does it take to engage farmers in research, education, and innovation? In this episode, we explore the relationships, trust, and collaboration that make agricultural health and safety initiatives successful. From cancer prevention and mental health training to emerging technologies like UAVs for environmental monitoring, our guests share lessons learned about engaging farmers, overcoming barriers, and working together to improve agricultural health and safety across rural communities. Episode ResourcesFarmer/Rancher Registry, GPCAH

After years of federal scrutiny surrounding the platform, the Department of Agriculture is now sharing videos with the public.

Destructive storms are exposing the vulnerability of rural communities dependent on a spiderweb of winding roads and ageing infrastructure.

In this episode of NDO Podcast, Ron Wilson, North Dakota Outdoors editor, steps in as co-host to visit with Mike Forsberg, conservation photographer, and Andy Caven, habitat ecologist, on a rest stop in Bismarck along their 2,500 mile journey to pedal the whooping crane migration route from Texas to Saskatchewan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Harriet has published four Gurt and Pops books which are full of lessons for rural youngsters to help them make good decisions. 

In this episode of *The Rural Voice*, Chris, Melissa, and Bill talk with Rebecca “Becca” Burnfin, a 9th–12th grade social studies teacher and PLC lead at Garden City High School in rural western Kansas. Becca shares what it means to teach in a community where students speak more than 40 languages and bring rich lived experiences shaped by immigration, rural life, global conflict, and family history. The conversation explores how high-quality instructional materials have helped her reduce planning time, keep social studies relevant beyond stale textbooks, support new and veteran teachers through PLC collaboration, and create more engaging, experiential lessons for students. Becca also speaks candidly about rural teacher recruitment and retention, post-COVID pressures on educators, and the importance of honoring student dignity while helping young people connect history to the world unfolding around them.

A small central Hawkes Bay community is still taking the long way round, more than three years after Cyclone Gabrielle damaged their bridge and their patience is wearing thin. Hundreds of locals have signed a petition calling for the bridge to be replaced or repaired. It was presented to the Central Hawkes Bay District Council this morning. Farmer Dave Ellison made the case for action, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tsakane Zwane – CEO and founder, First Principles Engineering SAfm Market Update - Podcasts and live stream

In counties along New York's Southern Tier, the number of homeless people nearly tripled between 2019 and 2025. But without all the sidewalks, subways, and shelters of a big city, it's more difficult for street outreach workers to find and help homeless people. WNYC's Jimmy Vielkind talks with us about how the state's street outreach program has adapted to rural communities. Photo: Jimmy Vielkind -Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Alpha Ramoshwana, EWN Reporter, about the dangerous makeshift bridge built by residents of Mafarafara in Limpopo to cross the flooded Tubatse River and access healthcare, highlighting ongoing infrastructure failures and service delivery challenges in rural South Africa. 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa broadcast on 702: https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/36edSLV or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/zEcM35T Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio7See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this West Virginia Morning, affordable dental care is a little-talked-about challenge low-income families face in this state, but there is an effort underway to change that. The post Mobile Dental Care A Lifeline In Rural Communities, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Bay Mills Community College President Duane Bedell discusses the unique challenges and joys of leading a tribal college in remote and rural Michigan. 

Roost News Interviewer, Louise Gallagher chats with Marissa Volpe, AARP State Office Associate State Director (ASD) for Outreach and Community Engagement and AARP Colorado State Office volunteers Cristy Moran, Niki Delson, and community partner Frank Sgambati. They share their story of successfully partnering with the Libraries in Colorado to support their rural community.

Sally Round, host and producer of Country Life, joins Emile to talk about what's on the show. This week Country Life is at a locust farm where the insects are bred for petfood and human snacks and joins a drone pilot on a farm in Canterbury.

Tomorrow the cost of posting a letter will shoot up yet again. NZ Post is increasing standard mail letter prices by 70 cents, meaning a medium-sized letter will cost $3.60, a large letter $4.90, and an oversize letter $6.20. NZ Post says it's facing rising costs and needs to keep their services reliable, but critics say the price rises are coming at the same time as postal services are becoming less accessible, especially for rural communities. We'd love to know what you think about the price rises, but also how often you post mail, 2101 on the text machine. To tell us how the price changes impact those who live and work rurally, Perlina is joined by Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Rural Women New Zealand.

A $1 million initiative through the Rural Health Transformation Program aims to help rural EMS agencies expand access to health care in rural and underserved areas of West Virginia. We spoke with Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh to understand how the program is designed to work – and who it will focus on first. The post Improving Health Care Access In Rural Communities, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

American Farm Bureau Federation research finds strong interest in skills development, business training, and leadership opportunities.

Dr. Stroope is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University. Stroope's research includes three overlapping areas: co-benefits of active transportation, public health approaches to increasing rural physical activity, and access to nature, with an overarching interest in how physical activity contributes to community thriving. Stroope is on the leadership team for the Physical Activity Policy, Research, and Evaluation Network (PAPREN) Rural Hub and serves on the Dissemination and Translation Board for the U Mass Prevention Research Center. Before joining the LSU School of Kinesiology, she spent ten years working for Cooperative Extension, with most of those years serving as the LSU AgCenter's physical activity specialist. In that role, she partnered with Extension agents, small towns, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, rural librarians, schools and other community partners to increase access to physical activity, with a particular focus on helping communities pursue funding for active transportation infrastructure. Description In this episode of the Elevate Yourself podcast, Rob sits down with Dr. Jessica Stroope to discuss how communities can be designed to support healthier, more active lives. Drawing from her experiences in public health, Cooperative Extension, and community-based research, Jessica explores the powerful role that active transportation, access to nature, and the built environment play in shaping physical activity behaviors. She shares lessons learned from working with rural communities, transportation departments, schools, libraries, and local leaders to create environments where movement is a natural part of everyday life. The conversation highlights how seemingly small environmental changes can have a meaningful impact on health outcomes, why partnerships across sectors are essential, and how community design influences far more than physical activity alone. Whether you're interested in public health, community development, or simply creating places where people can thrive, this episode offers practical insights into building more accessible and active communities. Learn More Physical Activity Policy, Research, and Evaluation Network (PAPREN) LSU School of Kinesiology LSU AgCenter Selected Publications: Stroope, J., Ballis, L. E., Seals, K., Garn, A. C., Holston, D. (In press). Rural Physical Activity in the Mississippi Delta: the moderating influence of stray dogs. Journal of Healthy Eating & Active Living. Stroope, J., Umstattd Meyer, M.R., Gabbert, K., John, D.H., Orzech, K., Wende, M.E., and Kellstedt, D. (2025). Physical Activity Policy, Systems, and Environment Change through Extension SNAP-Ed: A Multi-State Perspective. Health Promotion Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399231221779 Stroope, J., Jones, M., Nunes, B., & Holston, D. (2024). Improving Access to the Transportation Alternatives Program for Rural Communities. Journal of Healthy Eating & Active Living. https://doi.org/10.51250/jheal.v4i3.94 Stroope, J., Garn, A., and Cadmus-Bertram, L. (2022). Active transportation and self-reported change in physical activity. Journal of Transport & Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2022.101528 Seals, K., Stroope, J., Freightman, J., Moles, A., Ainsworth, L, and Holston, D. (2022). Empty houses, loose dogs, and engaged citizens: Lessons learned from community participatory data collection in rural areas. Health Promotion Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399221111181 Stroope, J. (2021). Active transportation and social capital: The association between walking or biking for transportation and community participation. Preventive Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106666

By applying commoning practices in rural towns in the Italian Alps, Bianca Elzenbaumer, a community economies designer and cofounder of Brave New Alps, is catalyzing many new forms of rural development and ecosocial transformation. Working from a repurposed railway station in Vallagarina, the group relies on radical pedagogy, "feral approaches" to community economies, and lots of DIY making and organizing. Projects don't aim for market development and conventional investment, but for participatory vehicles that honor social imagination, improvisation, and collective impact. For more on the commons, go to www.Bollier.org.

Dr. Arreaza: Hello, everyone, my name is Dr. Hector Arreaza, I am a family physician and an associate program director in the Clinica Sierra Vista – Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program.  Today we're discussing one of the most powerful predictors of health that many people rarely think about: geography. Where someone lives can influence everything from access to physicians and emergency care to chronic disease outcomes and life expectancy. Joining us today is Peyton, who will be taking a deeper look into the matter. Peyton, thank you for being here — can you start by introducing yourself, please? Peyton: Hello, thank you for having me. My name is Peyton, I am a 4th year medical student with Western Atlantic University, and I am from a very small town in South Dakota.  Dr. Arreaza: Peyton, you are on your last few days in your FM rotation, when are you graduation?  Peyton, you prepared this topic and it is great. When people hear the phrase “your ZIP code can determine your health,” what does that actually mean? Peyton: It basically means that where someone lives can significantly influence their health outcomes and even life expectancy. A person's ZIP code can affect access to physicians, hospitals, transportation, emergency services, and preventative care. Arreaza: Talking about prevention. The American Heart Association agrees with you because Zip code is not part of the cardiovascular risk calculator called PREVENT. I invite everyone to take a look at this new calculator. I think a lot of people assume healthcare is equal as long as hospitals or clinics exist nearby, right? Peyton: Yes, patients may still struggle with overcrowded healthcare systems, which can lead to long wait times. In fact, a national physician appointment survey found that average wait times for new patient primary care appointments in major cities can exceed three weeks, with some cities reporting significantly longer delays depending on specialty access and provider availability. Dr. Arreaza: And when patients experience those kinds of delays, they may frequently switch between providers, which becomes much harder to establish consistent long-term care. Peyton: One of the biggest issues many patients face is continuity of care — having consistent follow-up with the same provider over time. Dr. Arreaza: And that continuity really matters in medicine, especially family medicine, it is one of our keywords: continuity of care. Peyton: Exactly. Preventative care and chronic disease management work best when patients have long-term relationships with healthcare providers. But in many underserved communities, patients may wait months for appointments, frequently change providers, or rely on emergency rooms instead of primary care clinics. Dr. Arreaza: And urgent care too. When care becomes fragmented, conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and chronic illnesses can become much harder to manage. Peyton: Exactly. Delayed screenings, missed follow-up appointments, and lack of preventative care often lead to patients presenting later with more advanced disease that could have been treated earlier. Dr. Arreaza: And urban communities may face some of the same challenges, but rural communities are at a different level of barriers to health care. Peyton: Absolutely. Rural communities often experience significant physician shortages. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, over 100 million Americans live in primary care shortage areas, and nearly 65% of those shortage areas are located in rural regions. Peyton: I think one of the biggest solutions starts with strengthening primary care and investing more heavily in underserved communities, especially rural areas. Dr. Arreaza: And that includes increasing the number of physicians going into family medicine and primary care specialties.  Peyton: Here is an interesting fact: According to the Graham Center, Northeastern states receive high graduate medical education (GME) funding but produce relatively fewer primary care physicians. Northwestern states receive low GME funding but perform relatively better, producing slightly above the U.S. average (70.8 vs 69.8 primary care physicians per 100,000 people). However, even this remains far below Canada's average of 119 primary care physicians per 100,000 people.  Right now, the United States is facing a growing physician shortage. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the country could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, with primary care being one of the most affected areas. Arreaza: Another group that may help address the physician shortage is International Medical Graduates. We'll cover this in more detail in a future episode, but it's worth mentioning briefly here. We have highly trained physicians, including neurosurgeons, driving Uber. There is nothing wrong with that work, but their medical skills could be used to help more people. I'll leave our listeners with that thought: IMGs can help. So, Peyton, are you interested in rural medicine? Peyton: I am very interested in Rural medicine, in fact my next few rotations will be back in South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Actually, the Pine Ridge Reservation is the poorest Indian Reservation in the country.  Peyton: The measure of any healthcare system is not how well it serves those closest to its centers of power, but how far its reach extends to those who need it most. If we are serious about health equity, the road forward must run through every small town, every county clinic, and every community that has been told to wait its turn. Their turn is now. References Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections From 2021 to 2036. https://www.aamc.org/workforce American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Rural Practice and Physician Recruitment.https://www.aafp.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rural Americans at Higher Risk of Death from Five Leading Causes.https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0112-rural-death-risk.html Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. Rural Hospital Closures.https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/programs-projects/rural-health/rural-hospital-closures/ Chetty R, Stepner M, Abraham S, et al. The Association Between Income and Life Expectancy in the United States, 2001–2014. JAMA. 2016;315(16):1750–1766. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2513561 Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas Rural Health Information Hub. Healthcare Access in Rural Communities.https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/healthcare-access Rural Health Information Hub. Transportation to Support Rural Healthcare.https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/transportation Rural Health Information Hub. Rural Residency Planning and Development. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/rural-residency-programs Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health and Access to Care in Rural America.https://www.cdc.gov/ruralhealth/index.html Measure of America. A Portrait of Los Angeles County 2026. Social Science Research Council.https://ssrc-static.s3.amazonaws.com/moa/APortraitofLosAngelesCounty2026.pdf Merritt Hawkins. Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times and Medicare and Medicaid Acceptance Rates.https://www.merritthawkins.com/news-and-insights/thought-leadership/survey/survey-of-physician-appointment-wait-times/ Fenster, T. L., MD, Park, J., PhD, Huffstetler, A. N., MD, & Topmiller, M., PhD (2026). Graduate Medical Education Funding Does Not Flow to Primary Care Physician Production. American family physician, 113(4), 321–322. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42101593/ Theme song, Works All The Time by Dominik Schwarzer, YouTube ID: CUBDNERZU8HXUHBS, purchased from https://www.premiumbeat.com/. Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you, send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week!

Today's episode is a heartfelt dive into the wild, wonderful world of rural health care, featuring the utterly inspiring Tami DeCoteau. We explore everything from Native American trauma to the magic of telemedicine and, of course, the political circus affecting mental health funding. Why does Tami love her rural practice? How do social media and AI impact our minds? And what's the deal with farmers feeling more stressed than a coffee addict on decaf? Heidi and Joel also discuss upcoming Senate and governor races, focusing on Sherrod Brown's potential return to the Senate, the political landscape in Ohio, and insights into key electoral strategies. They analyze the implications of recent political developments and candidate choices, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the current US political climate.In this episode:The explosive need for mental health services in rural and Native American populationsHow telemedicine is becoming the unsung hero in rural mental health careChallenges of attracting providers to North Dakota—money, roads, and reputationThe importance of trauma-informed care and how childhood experiences shape nervous systemsThe impact of economic stress, especially on farmers, and rising political tensionsHow social media and AI are rewiring our brains—think of it as mental cord-cutting gone wrongThe future of rural health policy (more resources, better pay, and less stigma)The missing link: the pipeline of Native American psychologists and why rural providers are hard to findPlus, a quick political roundup, because who doesn't love some political banter?Guests:Tami DeCoteau - DeCoteau Trauma-Informed Care & PracticeAnd don't forget to tell your friends, especially the ones who believe mental health is just "a phase," because Tami proves it's a lifelong mission.The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject). (00:00) - Introduction to Rural Health Care Challenges (03:01) - The Importance of Telemedicine in Rural Areas (05:43) - Understanding the Demographics of Mental Health Clients (09:00) - Building Trust in Rural Communities (11:43) - The Impact of Trauma on Mental Health (14:52) - Economic Stress and Mental Health in Farming Communities (17:58) - The Role of AI in Mental Health (20:57) - Policy Changes for Rural Mental Health (23:27) - The Need for More Mental Health Providers (26:37) - Future Directions for Rural Mental Health Services (33:52) - Sherrod Brown's Senate Race Prospects (36:46) - Political Landscape and Implications for Ohio

A roundtable conversation focuses on the benefits and challenges of rural public transportation.

Monica McConkey, Eyes on the Horizon founder and rural mental health specialist, joins us on today's guest episode of Rural Health Today. Today we're talking about access to mental healthcare in rural communities. Monica is here to share her perspective as a leader in rural mental health. We'll talk about service closures, how stigma affects care, and of course, what it all has to do with rural health.  Follow Rural Health Today on social media! https://x.com/RuralHealthPod https://www.youtube.com/@ruralhealthtoday7665  Follow Hillsdale Hospital on social media! https://www.facebook.com/hillsdalehospital/ https://www.twitter.com/hillsdalehosp/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillsdale-community-health-center/ https://www.instagram.com/hillsdalehospital/  Follow our guest! https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamcconkey/ https://www.eyesonthehorizon.org/ https://www.facebook.com/eyesonthehorizonconsulting

What issues do Trans patients face in rural communities?  Former VRHA Board member Dove Standley and her husband Tatum joined RHV to discuss the extra precautions they have to take when seeking care. If you want to learn more about concerns for rural Trans patients, check out Dove & Tatum’s chapter in the book: Medical Mistrust in Appalachia. VRHA’s Pride of Rural Virginia initiative has resources for LGBTQ+ patients and healthcare providers.

"Community cats — it's really about the community. It brings the community together." This episode is sponsored-in-part by Maddie's Fund, OcuTrap, and the Feline Behavior Summit 2026. What does it take to build a community cat program from scratch in a rural, under-resourced area where nearly everyone — officers, residents, and administrators alike — is convinced it won't work? In this episode of the Community Cats Podcast, host Stacy LeBaron sits down with TyAnn Sumpter, Manager of Shelter Support at Charleston Animal Society, to walk through one of the most compelling TNR success stories in recent memory. TyAnn came to animal welfare from the business world, and it was that entrepreneurial mindset that helped her see past the resistance and build something lasting in Florence County, South Carolina. TyAnn shares how she designed and launched the region's first TNR initiative using existing call log data, enthusiastic volunteers, and animal control officers who already knew which neighborhoods needed help. What started as a one-year, grant-funded pilot ended up spaying and neutering 1,700 cats in year one alone. By year two, the shelter that had previously taken in roughly a thousand cats annually had dropped its intake to just 73. The ripple effects are just as remarkable. Neighboring Darlington County started calling to ask why they didn't have a program, and TyAnn helped them get set up. Florence County eventually hired its own dedicated community cat coordinator, purchased its own transport van, and secured permanent budget funding — all things that would have seemed unimaginable when TyAnn first walked through that shelter door. She also makes a compelling case for using complaint call reductions and cost savings to win over skeptical municipal administrators. Press Play Now For: How TyAnn built Florence County's first TNR program with no roadmap and no buy-in Why mining call log data was the key to finding the community's hidden cat advocates The dramatic shelter intake drop — from 1,000 cats per year to just 73 How the program expanded into neighboring counties and became permanently self-funded The role animal control officers played in identifying colonies and building community trust Making the financial case to county administrators using complaint call metrics How Charleston Animal Society handles high-volume TNR surgeries two hours away Why a nonjudgmental, community-first approach is the most powerful tool in TNR The unexpected expansions: pet pantries, low-cost owned-cat spay/neuter, and more Resources & Links: Charleston Animal Society TyAnn Sumpter on LinkedIn Best Friends Animal Society United Spay Alliance

Rural populations in the United States face unique healthcare challenges. These communities tend to be older, have higher mortality rates, and experience higher rates of chronic conditions and physical disabilities compared to urban populations. Despite the increased need for palliative care in rural areas, access remains alarmingly limited. Even in hospital settings, where palliative care programs are more common in urban areas, only 35% of rural hospitals report having such programs, compared to 81% of urban hospitals. In this week's podcast, we explore the challenges and opportunities of delivering palliative care in rural communities with our esteemed guests Karl Bezak, Jeanie Youngwerth, Adie Goldberg, and Gregg Vandekieft. We begin by discussing what inspired each of them to focus on rural palliative care. From there, we dive into what rural palliative care looks like and examine how it differs from care provided in urban settings. Our guests also share insights into the challenges of delivering this care in resource-limited rural environments and explore innovative strategies to ensure patients and families receive the support they need (like providing remote fellowship training for docs living in rural areas!). We also tackle the role of telemedicine in rural palliative care, both the good part, connecting patients in remote areas with specialists who might otherwise be unavailable, and the bad part, the huge digital divide seen in rural areas.  Join us for what I thought were some valuable insights our guests brought on how we can better serve rural populations and create a more equitable system for palliative care delivery. And if you want to learn more, check out some of these resources: University of Colorado's Community Hospice and Palliative Medicine (CHPM) Fellowship, which allows mid-career providers to obtain training while continuing to live and work in their community supported through online and distance learning technology Master of Science in Palliative Care Program: Master of Science Degree The Rural Health Information Hub's Rural Hospice and Palliative Care Overview  Stratis Health's Rural Community-based Palliative Care resource center The Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative website CAPC's Safety-Net and Rural Care website         The paper validating the AI Algorithm used to identify patient in rural ED for the TeleGOC Pause Model at UPMC (SafeNET)  A Google Site where Karl is hosting their most recent data related to the TeleGOC Pause Model