Barn Raiser

02/01/2025

Family farmers fear the Conservation Reserve Program, a steady source of income, could be eliminated

Project 2025’s plans for the Department of Agriculture call for eliminating many conservation programs that have broad support among farmers.

02/01/2025

For over a decade, artist Mary Welcome has documented more than 1,000 rural post offices with God Bless the USPS, a long-form archive project created by Welcome. The rural postal network, she says, serves as a “living map of relationships, historical narratives and landscapes.” In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, understanding the historical and contemporary importance of the rural post office is as important as ever, says Welcome, as Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump appointee, is once again calling for aggressive cuts that could kneecap post offices across rural America.
https://buff.ly/40fSSoB

01/01/2025

"Now, I am not so arrogant to think we have all the answers or the perfect plan. We do not. But we do have the stomach and backbone to try new things, push back on the status quo and to truly listen to our base."

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, explains why rural leaders need to be at the center of reform in the Democratic Party.

01/01/2025

Reflections of a Lutheran pastor in Dunn County, Wisconsin

New Years’ resolutions are hard on people, and the best resolution is to love yourself as you are and as God made you

31/12/2024

One mountain lion’s 800-mile journey to the heart of Chicago offers a window into the Midwest’s changing ecology

The story of one mountain lion’s 800-mile journey to the heart of Chicago offers a window into the Midwest’s changing ecology.

31/12/2024

TONIGHT at midnight is your last chance to give to Barn Raiser's end-of-year fundraising campaign. No amount is too small to make a difference!

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31/12/2024

“Timber meant money. To a lot of people, just seeing a forest sitting there not being cut down and generating money is a waste...The people were living their life there. Just because they didn’t build a house, farm or business, doesn’t mean the land was not in use.”

A proposal to transfer the White Earth State Forest to the White Earth Nation has a rural county and its tribal citizens engaging their fractured past and soul-searching for a hopeful future.

30/12/2024

In Blackgrass, an old Dogg shows he has plenty of new tricks

https://buff.ly/3DwSnh4

29/12/2024

Time is running out to give to Barn Raiser's end-of-year fundraising campaign! If you value our journalism, please donate before 12/31 at midnight; we would love to finish the year off strong!

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27/12/2024

Can a beloved forest bridge the gap between a fractured past and a hopeful future?

A proposal to transfer the White Earth State Forest to the White Earth Nation has a rural county and its tribal citizens engaging their fractured past and soul-searching for a hopeful future.

27/12/2024

Barn Raiser's end-of-year fundraising campaign ends on 12/31 at midnight and we would love to finish the year off strong!

If you value our journalism, please give now; no amount is too small to make a difference. Time is running out!

You either cancelled the payment process or your payment was declined. Please complete the form and select a different payment option.No payment has been taken.

27/12/2024

Farmers like Dustin Watson are turning toward new land-centered models to overcome the challenges of farm transfer and succession

Innovative models of farmland transition are helping farmers like Long Acre Farm’s Dustin Watson save the family farm from developers.

26/12/2024

Why was the public alerted about the spill more than a month later?

On Nov. 11, the Wisconsin DNR received a report from Enbridge of an oil spill. It turned out to be the largest in state history. Three days later, the DNR approved the controversial Line 5 reroute

26/12/2024

For nearly 70 years, Jerry Williams, a.k.a Swamp Dogg, has been making music, recording with renowned artists and reinventing himself in fresh and unexpected ways. This year, the storied R&B artist returned to his musical roots to put out a transcendent country album.

2024 is the year a storied R&B artist put out a transcendent country album: Swamp Dogg’s “Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St.”

25/12/2024

Since 1978, Kay and Ted Berger have forgone the amenities of "civilization" and built a life as Ozark farmers

Since 1978, Kay and Ted Berger have forgone the amenities of "civilization" and built a life as Ozark farmers.

25/12/2024

Finding common ground through conversation

The writer provides examples about how he is able to discuss politics with his conservative grandmother and not get into arguments

24/12/2024

Reimaging Rural Cartographies features written and photo essays that create or examine nontraditional and living maps of the Midwest:

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24/12/2024

"As chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, I believe state parties need to be full partners at the table to ensure rural America is heard"

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, explains why rural leaders need to be at the center of reform in the Democratic Party.