Week 14: Rural America
In rural communities across the country, Americans are expanding economic development and strengthening the fabric of our nation. Rural Americans may not see themselves as champions, but they represent the kind of innovation and ingenuity that make the United States great. From farmers and ranchers to local educators and small business owners, these Champions of Change are helping the country confront the challenges of the 21st century by expanding broadband access, increasing exports in agricultural sectors, and exploring alternative energy options to help win the future.
Roland Arriola
Dr. Arriola formed the Texas Valley Communities Foundation to provide funding and support to grass roots organizations in South Texas seeking to develop and implement effective college readiness outreach programs for Hispanics and at-risk students.
Linda Barnes
Linda Barnes, a professor of biology at the Marshalltown Community College and also an organic farmer, founded the Sustainable and Entrepreneurial Agriculture Program at MCC, which is the first associate degree program in sustainable agriculture in the Midwest.
Everett Dobrinski
Everett farmed all his life in North Dakota and taught high school while farming for a few years. Nowadays, Everett is a full-time farmer and a leader in co-operatives with farming.
Jason Frerichs
Jason is a fourth generation farmer/rancher, educator, and lawmaker from Wilmot, SD. Jason manages a 150 head beef cow/calf operation as well as raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa.
Ruth Hambleton
Ruth Hambleton is the founder of Annie’s Project in Illinois. Annie’s Project is a non-profit organization that concentrates on education for Farm Women.
Philip Johnson Haynie, III
P.J. Haynie serves on USDA's Plant Variety Protection Act Board and on the Agricultural Advisory Council for Virginia's first congressional district.
Rick Huszagh and Crista Carrell
When Rick Huszagh and Crista Carrell purchased part of her family’s farm in 1995, their focus was on farmland preservation as much as the creation of a successful business enterprise.
Deborah Kane
Deborah is the Vice President of Food and Farms at Ecotrust, a non-profit organization based in Oregon.
Lance Morgan
Lance Morgan is an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and President, CEO, and co-founder of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the award-winning economic development corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe.
Sue Noble
Sue is the Executive Director at the Vernon Economic Development Association in southwest Wisconsin, spearheading a remarkably comprehensive effort at economic development around local and regional food systems.
Ross Racine
Ross Racine is the Executive Director of Intertribal Agriculture Council. He assumed those duties in January 2001. He served as the IAC Natural Resources Director beginning in 1991, and as the IAC Director of Programs since 1999.
Linda Roberson
Linda Roberson is the Town Manager and Finance Director of Zolfo Springs, a very small rural town in Hardee County, Florida.
Eric Rund
Eric, a corn farmer, formed Green Flame Energy and offers seed stock, equipment and services to other farmers wishing to grow and utilize biomass energy.
Mark Timm
The owners of Colby Creek Stables, Mark and Tara Timm, were interested in renewable energy options to offset the power needs of their operation and to, in the near future, potentially take it off the grid completely.
Bruce Ward
Bruce formed the nonprofit organization Choose Outdoors in 2008 to bring together the diverse outdoor recreation interests that enjoy the National Forests and Grasslands.
Jacqueline and Glen Young
With the help of the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Loan Program which provides assistance to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to natural disasters,the Young’s were able to pay off the major bills incurred after a devastating tornado.