Politics & Policy

Living With the Freedom Caucus

Wyoming, the first state where the caucus gained control, shows what happens when “limited government” advocates direct public policy

The Truth About Roundup Herbicide

The Supreme Court will soon determine whether corporations get a free pass for poisoning the public

What Rural America Can Learn from Haitian Immigrants

Immigrant communities have developed sophisticated survival strategies. Those lessons can serve rural people facing their own crisis of abandonment.

Man’s First Best Friend

Wolves were our companions long before dogs. Can we co-exist with wolves again?

A Strategy to Heal America’s Rural-Urban Divide

Political scientist Suzanne Mettler sees county party chairs as key to our democracy

The Trojan Hog in the Farm Bill

How the Save Our Bacon Act threatens family farmers and state sovereignty
Keep an Independent Mind

Sign up to receive twice-weekly Barn Raiser updates on original, independent reporting from rural and small town America.

mail

From Inside the Farm Bill

Inside the Farm Bill

Can Democrats Stop the GOP From Taking a Chainsaw to the Farm Bill?

Republicans are gearing up to cut SNAP programs and increase payments to the largest farmers

Read column
Health Care
March 9, 2026

The Grassroots Organizing Revival in Rural Washington

As cuts to Medicaid threaten rural livelihoods, this small nonprofit is helping working people find their voice

Politics
March 5, 2026

Rural History Teachers Choose Education Over Politics

These rural educators remain resilient amid culture war battles

Politics
February 27, 2026

The Candidate From Rural Maine Fighting Big Money

To get dark money out of politics, Democrats need to reform primary elections

More in Politics & Policy