This is an excellent list James. Now that I live in a rural area I can see first hand (and experience!) the needs for these priorities that you mention. Thankfully, Sedbergh where I live is well served in all five regards.
One priority that I would add is for farming communities to be joined up/have strong connections with towns and cities in order to support the flow of local goods and keep capital circulating within the local rural economy, per Wendell Berry.
I always appreciate you reading and encouraging my work, my friend! American agriculture policy is largely the purview of the federal government, so state level impact is somewhat iffy.
The Texas Department of Agriculture has created some local market incentive-type programs over the years that have had a dubious effect. In some cases, they’ve been captured by larger manufacturers/retailers. To their credit, though, TDA is a key funder of the infrastructure work. We’re about to launch a $400,000 replacement of sidewalks, electrical outlets, and lighting on our downtown square in Stamford, thanks to one of their programs.
Your comment sparks an idea for another essay on how agriculture and rural communities can get caught in between state and federal policy and what we can do better on that.
This is an excellent list James. Now that I live in a rural area I can see first hand (and experience!) the needs for these priorities that you mention. Thankfully, Sedbergh where I live is well served in all five regards.
One priority that I would add is for farming communities to be joined up/have strong connections with towns and cities in order to support the flow of local goods and keep capital circulating within the local rural economy, per Wendell Berry.
I always appreciate you reading and encouraging my work, my friend! American agriculture policy is largely the purview of the federal government, so state level impact is somewhat iffy.
The Texas Department of Agriculture has created some local market incentive-type programs over the years that have had a dubious effect. In some cases, they’ve been captured by larger manufacturers/retailers. To their credit, though, TDA is a key funder of the infrastructure work. We’re about to launch a $400,000 replacement of sidewalks, electrical outlets, and lighting on our downtown square in Stamford, thanks to one of their programs.
Your comment sparks an idea for another essay on how agriculture and rural communities can get caught in between state and federal policy and what we can do better on that.