In this episode we focus on rural America with two former state directors for USDA Rural Development: Bill Menner and Bill McGowan. Our conversation begins with a discussion about the need for homegrown local leadership to act as a sparkplug, and continues with why some rural communities struggle while others survive; the importance of broadband connectivity for rural economic development, and the need for government financial support for it; the economics and politics of clean energy in rural communities; and the political divide between rural and urban America. We wrap up the conversation with predictions about sustainable development and the future of rural America.

References include:

• USDA Rural Development
• Chesapeake Heritage Center
• B-CROP Act of 2017
• Iowa's Cultivation Corridor

Recorded September 10, 2017.

Published September 18, 2017.