{"id":716,"date":"2025-07-08T17:45:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T17:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/?page_id=716"},"modified":"2025-09-10T14:15:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T14:15:54","slug":"rural-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/rigs\/rural-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Rural Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-716\" data-postid=\"716\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-716 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_tlyn991 tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_eair992 first\">\n                    <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_d985344 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h1 class=\"fancy-heading\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    Rural Policy Research and Interest Group            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                    Linking research to rural governance and public decision-making            <\/span>\n    <\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n<!-- Breadcrumbs module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-breadcrumbs tb_h92w407 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<nav role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"tbp_breadcrumb_trail\"><ul class=\"tbp_trail_items\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/BreadcrumbList\"><meta name=\"numberOfItems\" content=\"1\" \/><meta name=\"itemListOrder\" content=\"Ascending\" \/><li itemprop=\"itemListElement\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ListItem\" class=\"tbp_trail_item tbp_trail_end\"><a itemprop=\"item\" href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/\" rel=\"home\"><span itemprop=\"name\">Home<\/span><\/a><meta itemprop=\"position\" content=\"1\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><!-- \/Breadcrumbs module -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_ezkq378 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_6fqi378 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_i0gr447   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3 data-start=\"474\" data-end=\"497\">What We\u2019re About<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Rural Policy Research and Interest Group is dedicated to advancing knowledge, advocacy, and solutions that enhance the social, economic, political and environmental well-being of rural people and communities. We are an interdisciplinary community of scholars, practitioners, policy analysts, and advocates from both academic and applied settings.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RIG members seek to examine and inform rural policy development that promotes sustainable growth, equitable access to resources, and resilience in rural regions. Our mission is to empower rural populations and address critical policy challenges to shape a brighter future for rural people and places.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some common areas of focus in our RIG include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Influence, effect and change of local, state or federal governance on rural communities<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Economic and social policy [e.g., business, healthcare, education, food, inequality]<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Urban and rural development planning [e.g., housing, transportation, jobs and reemployment programs, social services]<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Energy and climate policy [e.g., coal, fracking, carbon, green energy, pollution]<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Agricultural and natural resource management policy [e.g., farm bills, farmer support programs, conservation programs, water, forestry, land\/property rights]<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And more!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Not sure if Rural Policy is the right fit for you? Email our current RIG leadership to learn more!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_jmlk529 tb_gs591685 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_8y0r70   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Annual Dues:<\/h3>\n<h4>Regular Members &#8211; $10<br>Student Members &#8211; $5<\/h4>\n<h4>Get Involved:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Attend our sessions and networking events at the RSS Annual Meeting<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Participate in planning discussions or propose new activities<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Contact our leadership team to get connected<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module buttons -->\n<div  class=\"module module-buttons tb_bwuw860 buttons-horizontal solid   rounded tb_gs125683\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"\/membership\/account\/profile?registration=%2Fmembership-purchase%2F\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-hands-helping\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-hands-helping\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Join our RIG                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<!-- \/module buttons -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_iuhv963 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_30ky963 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_qgxj935   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>What We Do and How to Get Involved<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1346\" data-end=\"1450\">The Rural Policy RIG encourages scholarship and engagement that inform and influence rural policy. We:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1452\" data-end=\"2000\">\n<li data-start=\"1452\" data-end=\"1609\">\n<p data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1609\">Organize conference sessions on timely topics such as rural policy design, implementation challenges, intergovernmental relations, and community impacts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1610\" data-end=\"1741\">\n<p data-start=\"1612\" data-end=\"1741\">Foster interdisciplinary collaboration among rural sociologists, political scientists, economists, planners, and practitioners.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1742\" data-end=\"1873\">\n<p data-start=\"1744\" data-end=\"1873\">Provide space for analyzing the intersection of research and policy across local, regional, national, and international scales.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1874\" data-end=\"2000\">\n<p data-start=\"1876\" data-end=\"2000\">Welcome students, early-career scholars, and policy professionals seeking to engage with rural policy research and practice.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2341\">To get involved, join the RIG when you renew or start your RSS membership. Attend our sessions and business meeting at the RSS Annual Meeting, submit policy-relevant research for presentation, or volunteer to help lead new initiatives. We welcome everyone interested in building a stronger bridge between rural sociology and public policy.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module buttons -->\n<div  class=\"module module-buttons tb_m4vx385 buttons-horizontal solid   rounded tb_gs125683\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/annual-meeting\/\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-angle-double-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-angle-double-right\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Join us at our Annual Meeting                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/rigs\/volunteer-to-help\/?rig=8\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-hand\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-hand\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Volunteer to Help Organize                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/rigs\/contact-leadership-team\/?rig=8\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-envelope-circle-check\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-envelope-circle-check\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Contact the Leadership Team                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<!-- \/module buttons -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_5vvp977 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_o6ph978 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_vwg4390   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Leadership:<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"ddl1742\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_ddl1742 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top gutter-narrow tb_col_count_3 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_mbd4742 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_9f6r556 image-center circle  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ppowers-125x125.png\" width=\"125\" height=\"125\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-3505\" title=\"ppowers\" alt=\"ppowers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ppowers-125x125.png 125w, https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ppowers-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ppowers.png 262w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module accordion -->\n<div  class=\"module module-accordion tb_w54l146 \" data-behavior=\"toggle\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <ul class=\"ui module-accordion   tb_default_color\">\n            <li>\n            <div class=\"accordion-title tf_rel\">\n                <a href=\"#acc-w54l146-0\" class=\"tb_title_accordion\" aria-controls=\"acc-w54l146-0-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <i class=\"accordion-icon\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-angle-down\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-angle-down\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <i class=\"accordion-active-icon tf_hide\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-angle-up\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-angle-up\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <span class=\"accordion-title-wrap\">Presley Powers, Chair<\/span>                <\/a>\n            <\/div><!-- .accordion-title -->\n            <div id=\"acc-w54l146-0-content\" data-id=\"acc-w54l146-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"accordion-content tf_hide tf_clearfix\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_inqj146\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column tb_l9n2146 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_yxu3146   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW240353517 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW240353517 BCX0\">Tennessee State University, Industry\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span class=\"EOP SCXW240353517 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<br><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW28189368 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW28189368 BCX0\">presley.alford43@gmail.com<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bio:\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW252218830 BCX0\" lang=\"EN\" xml:lang=\"EN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW252218830 BCX0\">Presley Powers is a policy researcher and program evaluator focused on transforming data into action. With a background in public administration, sociology, and energy market research, she brings a cross-disciplinary approach to policy evaluation and program design.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW252218830 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><!-- .accordion-content -->\n        <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/module accordion -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_9f1j594\">\n                            <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_cebj935 last\">\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_q6b7639 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_a18z639 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_2icz639   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3 data-start=\"474\" data-end=\"497\">\ud83d\udcf0 News and Announcements<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- advanced-posts module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-advanced-posts tb_b2j7639   themify_builder_content-b2j7639\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<div  class=\"builder-posts-wrap loops-wrapper news list-post classic tf_clear tf_clearfix\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-5281\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-5281 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-applied-and-extension-news news_announcements-community-health-and-family news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-population news_announcements-rural-policy has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_e4lu639 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_i5ac639 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_g050639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/article-in-the-conversation\/\">\n\t\tRSS Members Publish Article in The Conversation\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_tscl639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-12-10T19:16:08+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-12-10T19:16:08+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">December<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">10<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-12-10T19:21:30+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_ocuv639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tShannon Monnat and Tim Slack recently published an article in The Conversation on myths about rural America \ud83d\udd17 Read More    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-5271\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-5271 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-natural-resources news_announcements-rural-law-and-justice news_announcements-rural-policy has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_e4lu639 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_i5ac639 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_g050639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/shoemaker-wins-american-agricultural-law-association-award\/\">\n\t\tRSS Member and Law Professor Jessica A. Shoemaker Wins American Agricultural Law Association Award\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_tscl639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-12-10T18:54:44+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-12-10T18:54:44+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">December<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">10<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-12-10T19:00:02+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_ocuv639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tJessica A. Shoemaker, a Law Professor at the University of Nebraska, was recently awarded the Professional Scholarship Award by the American Agricultural Law Association \ud83d\udd17 Read More    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-4949\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-4949 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-rural-law-and-justice news_announcements-rural-policy has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_e4lu639 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_i5ac639 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_g050639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/three-rss-members-quoted-in-newsweek\/\">\n\t\tThree RSS Members Quoted in Newsweek on the Future of Rural America\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_tscl639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-11-21T18:24:28+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-11-21T18:24:28+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">November<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">21<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-11-25T18:12:05+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_ocuv639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tShannon Monnat, Ken Johnson, and Lisa Pruitt were all quoted in a recent Newsweek article on recent American Communities Project survey results; the survey studies heterogeneity across rural areas. \ud83d\udd17 Read More    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-4727\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-4727 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-gender-and-sexualities news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-rural-law-and-justice news_announcements-rural-policy news_announcements-rural-race-and-ethnicity news_announcements-sociology-of-agriculture-food-safrig has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_e4lu639 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_i5ac639 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_g050639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/women-and-smallholder-farming\/\">\n\t\tFormer RSS President Carolyn Sachs Co-edits Volume on Women and Smallholder Farming\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_tscl639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-10-29T15:51:31+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-10-29T15:51:31+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">October<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">29<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-11-19T16:45:08+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_ocuv639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tA new book which provides a comprehensive overview of the main obstacles and challenges women smallholders face has just been published. \ud83d\udd17 Read More    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-4655\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-4655 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-applied-and-extension-news news_announcements-community-health-and-family news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-natural-resources news_announcements-population news_announcements-rural-policy news_announcements-rural-poverty news_announcements-rural-race-and-ethnicity news_announcements-rural-studies news_announcements-sociology-of-agriculture-food-safrig news_announcements-the-elders news_announcements-youth-education-and-rural-vitality has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_e4lu639 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_i5ac639 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_g050639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/the-case-for-rural-america-a-new-book-in-the-rural-studies-series\/\">\n\t\tMueller publishes The Case for Rural America in Rural Studies Series\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_tscl639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-10-13T16:45:22+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-10-13T16:45:22+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">October<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">13<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-11-21T18:10:12+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_ocuv639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tJ. Tom Mueller argues that policymakers, politicians, and academics rarely make a clear case for why rural America matters and is worth saving in the first place. In this provocative book, Mueller meets these issues head-on by presenting a critique of conventional economic development efforts while also articulating why rural America is worthy of preservation. [&hellip;]    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-3948\" class=\"post tf_clearfix post-3948 news type-news status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry news_announcements-member-in-the-news news_announcements-rural-law-and-justice news_announcements-rural-policy has-post-title has-post-date has-post-category has-post-tag has-post-comment has-post-author \">\n\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"tbp_advanced_archive_wrap\">\n\t                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_e4lu639 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column tb_i5ac639 first\">\n                    <!-- Post Title module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-title tb_g050639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<h2 class=\"tbp_title\">\n\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/news\/harvard-law-schools-magazine-the-practice\/\">\n\t\tHarvard Law School\u2019s Magazine The Practice Features Work of RSS Members in Issue on Legal Deserts\t\t<\/a>\n<\/h2><\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Title module -->\n<!-- Post Meta module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-meta tb_tscl639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta tbp_post_meta\">\n\t\t<span class=\"tbp_post_meta_item tbp_post_meta_date\"><time content=\"2025-08-26T14:57:21+00:00\" class=\"entry-date updated\" datetime=\"2025-08-26T14:57:21+00:00\">\n\t<span class=\"tbp_post_month\">August<\/span> <span class=\"tbp_post_day\">26<\/span>, <span class=\"tbp_post_year\">2025<\/span>\t\t\t<meta content=\"2025-09-15T15:42:18+00:00\">\n\t<\/time>\n<\/span><!-- .tbp_post_meta_item -->\t<\/div><!-- .tbp_post_meta -->\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Meta module -->\n<!-- Post Content module -->\n<div  class=\"module module-post-content tb_ocuv639 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\n    <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n\t\tIn The Practice, RSS members Hannah Haksgaard, David Peters, Elizabeth Chambliss, and Lisa R. Pruitt examined the challenges of access to justice and legal education in rural communities. \ud83d\udd17 Read More    <\/div><!-- .tb_text_wrap -->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/Post Content module -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .builder-posts-wrap -->\n\n\t\t<div class=\"pagenav tf_clear tf_box tf_textr tf_clearfix \"> <span class=\"number current\">1<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/716\/page\/2\/\" class=\"number\">2<\/a><\/div>\t\n<\/div><!-- \/advanced-posts module -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_hhkw800 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_zl2c800 tb_gs590685 first\">\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_i8sn81 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ysrx81 first\">\n                            <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_cpy4713\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col-full tb_7uyy713 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_i6s6999   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h4>Interested in joining RSS or exploring other Research Interest Groups?<\/h4>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module buttons -->\n<div  class=\"module module-buttons tb_8oe1784 buttons-horizontal solid   rounded tb_gs125683\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/membership\/\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-handshake\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-handshake\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Join RSS Today                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"module-buttons-item tf_in_flx\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/rigs\/\" class=\"ui builder_button tf_in_flx tb_default_color\" >\n                                    <em><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-circle-chevron-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-circle-chevron-left\"><\/use><\/svg><\/em>                                        Back to All RIGs                                        <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<!-- \/module buttons -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rural Policy Research and Interest GroupLinking research to rural governance and public decision-making What We\u2019re About The Rural Policy Research and Interest Group is dedicated to advancing knowledge, advocacy, and solutions that enhance the social, economic, political and environmental well-being of rural people and communities. We are an interdisciplinary community of scholars, practitioners, policy analysts, and advocates from both academic and applied settings.\u00a0 RIG members seek to examine and inform rural policy development that promotes sustainable growth, equitable access to resources, and resilience in rural regions. Our mission is to empower rural populations and address critical policy challenges to shape a brighter future for rural people and places.\u00a0 Some common areas of focus in our RIG include:\u00a0 Influence, effect and change of local, state or federal governance on rural communities Economic and social policy [e.g., business, healthcare, education, food, inequality] Urban and rural development planning [e.g., housing, transportation, jobs and reemployment programs, social services] Energy and climate policy [e.g., coal, fracking, carbon, green energy, pollution] Agricultural and natural resource management policy [e.g., farm bills, farmer support programs, conservation programs, water, forestry, land\/property rights] And more! Not sure if Rural Policy is the right fit for you? Email our current RIG [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":54,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-716","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=716"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/716\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4222,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/716\/revisions\/4222"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ruralsociology.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}