Amy Stratton is the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Rural Communities Organizer. She works to find viable solutions to economic and environmental challenges rural communities face. "In the Field" is Amy's blog from her travels throughout the Midwest.
Presidential Candidates Clinton, Obama, Edwards and Cox addressed Rural Youth Summit and 2007 National Summit on Agriculture and Rural Life participants on Saturday. They were asked to address rural issues and how they, as President, will strengthen rural communities. This discussion ranged from healthcare to job creation,farming to country of origin labeling and everything in between. You can read more at Daily Yonder, The Ames Tribune or My Main Street News.
The day before the Presidential candidates arrived, the conference focused on youth concerns in rural areas. Participants discussed how to create a youth-friendly climate in rural areas and discussed successes and challenges of rural living. Andy Larson, an Iowa State University graduate student, gave the opening talk and spoke of growing up on a rural Illnois dairy farm. He plans to go back to his home town after college. He talked about the sense of community he grew up in, long standing relationships and the challenges of being a young professional and making plans to move back. He left youth with the message that you can move forward by going back. More information and the program agenda can be found at Rural Youth Summit.