Rural is being ignored by policy makers. Fewer, larger farms are not contributing to population growth, nor is alternative energy, such as ethanol and wind. Wages are not equal to those in the metro areas.  Should rural communities give up? How can counties reverse the downward spiral? 

Ask these questions at home. At your board of supervisors/city council/economic development team/school board meetings. At the coffee shop. Ask them to people who do not participate in anything.  

Are you talking about population decline? More importantly, what are you doing about it? About poverty rates?  

Is your county still doing economic development the same way as it has for the last 100 years? 

Is the county getting the results you want?  Are you constantly looking for new people to engage and participate?