This yearbook definitely looks a lot different than last year’s...but I’m all about looking for silver linings, and this year there were plenty of them. Perhaps the greatest silver lining is the incredible opportunity we have right now in rural America.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is a Christmas movie staple and also usually ranks near the top of any list of inspirational movies. It is hard not to be inspired by George Bailey. But George is not a flawless character, even before his crisis. I’ve written in the past that I prefer flawed heroes because they give us hope for ourselves.

I think it’s quite possible Hallmark has actually been a key driver in some of the rural revival that our communities are experiencing, and they’re telling the small town story better than anyone right now. So how are they doing it?

Meet Callie Taylor Dayton of May Tree Farm, her family’s mountain grown Christmas tree farm, in Maysville, West Virginia (pop. 2,141). Callie is a tourism pro turned economic developer and has a big heart for small towns and small businesses.

Today on the podcast we’re with Abby Roleau of The Gateway Farm in Bristol, Vermont (pop. 3,894). Abby’s talking about how she and her husband are building their dream farm from scratch and starting a business with four kids in tow.

We’re gifting small business owners a package of #shopsmall and #shoprural social media graphics! There are over 50 images to help encourage your followers to shop local over these coming weeks.

Today on the podcast we’re with Tammy Pate of Ryegate, Montana (pop. 234), creator of Art of the Cowgirl. Art of the Cowgirl is a gathering to celebrate cowgirls and their contributions to western lifestyle and culture, and to raise funds to support up and coming artists to expand their knowledge and skills.

Rural Revival presents this season’s best gifts - from good eats and treats to home goods and apparel - all made in America by rural makers and creators. We’ve also added some new experiences to the list this year!

Today on the podcast we’re with Stacy Bannor of Bannor Toys in Madrid, Iowa (pop. 2,543). Stacy’s sharing how what started in their garage as her husband’s creative outlet to support her daycare quickly turned into a popular wooden toy business.

On this podcast episode we’re talking with silversmith Nevada Miller about what it was like growing up in an artistic, entrepreneurial family, how she developed her own style, and why she shares her craft with others.

On today’s podcast we’re with Justine Sindt of East of Omaha, a live music venue in Griswold, Iowa. Justine shares about how she and her family are bringing live music to Griswold and how that was inspired by some time spent in Nashville.

From art and history to great food and a vibrant historic downtown atmosphere, Woodbine is a must-stop location. You’ll love the brick streets that include one of the longest sections of original Lincoln Highway brick road. This town has a long history of road trips!

It takes a tragedy (or few)...and a village. We sit in our shops surrounded by what we love: art and coffee. Well … I love the coffee. He loves the art. We both appreciate them both, but we do always joke that there is a “His” and “Hers” aspect to this business.

I love working and living in Woodbine. Our town offers all that we need to live, work, and recreate with our friends and family. Quilters come to work on their own projects or follow along with me as I work on mine.

Our story is one of second chances. It began in 2015 at a different restaurant in the same location. Following its untimely closing in the fall of 2017, it seemed that would be the end of the story.

Rural revitalization is a team sport. A collective push in 2008 to assemble a Woodbine team of community leaders resulted in some pretty amazing results. Ten vacancies and the threat of two historic buildings falling in the street in a heap and vanishing motivated the team.

On this episode of the podcast, we’re talking with Mindy Crook and Darin Smith of Arch Icon Development Corporation in Woodbine, Iowa. Arch Icon specializes in historic renovation and community development projects, and it all started with a Main Street restoration in their hometown.

Today on the podcast we’re with Ed Roberson, host of the Mountain & Prairie podcast and Conservation Director at Palmer Land Trust in Colorado. We’re talking about Ed’s journey from real estate and the business world into land conservation.

This week on the podcast we’re with Maartje Murphy of Duchessa Gelato in Carrington, North Dakota (pop. 2,065). Maartje is sharing how she built her business with a premium farm-fresh product, a gelato cart, and a lot of sacrifice and determination.

This morning I signed a petition to save a church I don’t attend. St. Martin’s Church, which has been part of our community since 1877, was told last Wednesday that it will have to close its doors sometime in 2021 and the church itself will become nothing more than a building. The community is now rallying around the church by signing a petition with hopes to reverse this decision.