Forums
Farm Foundation Forum Reviving Rural: Agriculture as the Heartbeat of Healthy Communities
June 25, 2025
Via Zoom
Farm Foundation Forum: Reviving Rural — Agriculture as the Heartbeat of Healthy Communities
In partnership with American Farmland Trust
Program Description:
Rural communities are the backbone of our nation, but too many are struggling as economic pressures, population shifts, and declining health outcomes take a toll. At the center of these challenges lies a powerful opportunity: agriculture.
Agriculture can be an engine for revitalizing rural communities if it’s leveraged strategically. Efforts have shown that combining agricultural diversification, rural healthcare investment, infrastructure upgrades, and support for small businesses can draw new residents back to our rural communities.
This Forum examined:
– The link between agricultural vitality and rural health outcomes
– Strategies to retain land, labor, and livelihoods in rural areas
– Innovative models that blend food, health, and economic development
– Policy and investment opportunities to spark long-term renewal.
Panelists
Julia Freedgood, Senior Fellow and Senior Program Advisor, American Farmland Trust
Jeff Winton, Founder and Chairman, Rural Minds
Xochitl Torres Small, Former Deputy Secretary, USDA
Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association