G8 Farms, LLC, a woman-owned poultry growing operation in the rural landscape of Angelina County, Texas, is making strides towards a more sustainable and efficient future. With two breeder/layer houses comprising its facility, the farm is dedicated to poultry breeding and egg production, serving as a cornerstone of the local agricultural community.

Food insecurity in rural Kentucky, depending on who you ask, is somewhere around 15 percent. That means about one out of every six households does not have access to affordable nutritious food, putting them at increased risk for conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases. Kentucky also leads the nation in food insecurity among older adults.

Superior Metal Framing Systems, LLC, a family-owned small business of rural Williamson County, boasts over twenty-five years of experience in designing and fabricating steel building components. With a steadfast commitment to quality and a motto of “Building on Sturdy Foundations,” the company has earned a reputation for excellence in the clean energy sector.

In the rolling hills of Comanche County, Legacy Estate Long Term Care stands as a beacon of hope and innovation in rural healthcare. A not-for-profit care center owned by Comanche County Consolidated Hospital District (CCCHD), and led by CEO Nikki Stark and Misty Hill, the project manager, the new nursing home facility embodies the entity’s commitment to providing top-tier care for their aging population.

If you happen to look for hotels in Taos, New Mexico, you might come across the historic Sagebrush Inn. The hotel opened over 90 years ago and includes a variety of historic rooms with fireplaces as well as some more modern updated ones.

“This hotel brings a sense of community to Taos,” said Elena Dumond, the Sagebrush Inn general manager who began working at the hotel in 2018. “A lot of the community has been coming here since they were young kids and a lot of people have a lot of memories here whether it’s a wedding, a quinceañera or special occasion with their families.”

The city of Saint Peter had planned to replace its fire hall for nearly ten years. Since the mid-1950s, the town housed its fire department in an old maintenance shop, but the small, repurposed space was no longer adequate. 

While many factors go into selecting the best site for a new business, the view was at the top of the list for Nathan and Irma Bailey. The couple was leaving corporate jobs to start a vineyard and brewery, so scenic vistas were important.

“We were looking for some place in the mountains and liked the Lexington area,” said Bailey. “This view really sold us. We bought the property in 2008 and planted the first 2 1/2 acres of wine grapes in 2012.”

Bradley and Janna Lanphear, along with their four children, found themselves facing uncertainty when unforeseen circumstances forced them out of their long-time rental in Bend, Oregon. With rental prices skyrocketing in their area, the dream of homeownership seemed increasingly out of reach. The family was offered an opportunity to house-sit for a friend, also providing them with a temporary place to recover. The decision to move and house-sit would result in the Lanphears becoming first time homeowners in Texas.

Neighborhood Strong is a community-based organizations serving nine East Texas Counties. They provide critical home repairs and accessibility modifications to low and very low-income homeowners. Over 57% of the homes in this area are over 40 years old. The poverty rate is just over 19%. The combination of poverty rate and age of homes in leads to homes often becoming unsafe and even unlivable for homeowners and their families.

The State of North Dakota is roughly 70,000 square miles. Agricultural land occupied by family farms and ranches accounts for about 60,000 of those square miles. With the sheer number of acres dedicated to growing and raising our country’s food supply, it comes as no surprise that, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota’s largest industry ranks first in the nation in its production of 11 different crops and second in an additional 6, mainly a variety of small grains and beans, oats, durum, and rye.