About 20 years ago a resident of McPherson, Kansas by the name of Jim Elliott was a frequent visitor of Gamekeeper’s Marsh seven miles south of Courtland where he hunted ducks each season. Having noticed the ruins of a limestone house sitting on a rise to the east of the marsh, he thought it would be a great place to build a home.

Adri and Chris first visited Formoso, Kansas in 2018 on a road trip, and this is when the seed hit the soil! At the time they were residing just outside of Denver in South Aurora. Adri a city lifer, having never lived anywhere outside a 10-mile radius of where she was born, and myself a former east-coaster.

Heartland Gamebirds was born out of a mutual love for two things, upland birds hunts and Courtland, Kansas. The dream of offering a fully guided, all inclusive hunting experience became a reality in 2019. The following year, they purchased two historic bank buildings on Main Street to restore as their lodge.

With a population of just under 300 residents, Courtland, Kansas stands out from other communities our size in a few ways. Our Main Street is full of small businesses, the school is maintaining its class sizes, and the median age of our residents is getting younger. Part of the cultural fabric of Courtland is coming together to create success.

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Shanna Lindberg of Soul Sister Ceramics in Courtland, Kansas. Shanna and her business partner, knowing nothing about how to make pottery, bought a kiln and became self taught pottery makers using Kansas clay from the Flint Hills.

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Matt and Brittany Tedder of Walsh, Colorado (pop. 546). Matt and Brittany are entrepreneurs at heart, with their hand in ag technologies, seed sales, a trucking business, a construction and design business, and a catering business where they even have their own barbecue sauce!

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Kim Ellenz of Old School Seals in Tipton, Kansas. Old School Seals custom makes wax seals and stamps for people around the world — all from a small town — and today Kim is bringing us inside to tell us all about it.

On today’s episode we’re with Amanda Lebeck, Chairman of the Walnut Community Center in Walnut, Iowa (pop. 747). Amanda shares how the community moved quickly to save their recently vacated school building and give it a new purpose and use.

While Rylie Sproul always knew she wanted to be a hair stylist, she didn’t always know she would end up living in her hometown of Fairview, Oklahoma (pop. 2,600), yet that’s exactly where she’s at and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

On this episode of the podcast we’re with Nicky Tiffany of The Territory Ballroom in Council Grove, Kansas (pop. 2,140), where she’s sharing about her hopes and dreams for this business and building when the doors open — as an event space, co-working space, Airbnb, and more.

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Michael and Sara Floyd of Bryarton Farm in rural Kansas. Together Michael and Sara shared a dream of owning a historic farmhouse in the country as a creative space for their art and design studio, and today they’re sharing about the adventure of bringing that dream to life.

On this episode of the podcast we’re with Brandi Lahey of Cimarron Prairie Farms and The Tipsy Farmer in Moscow, Kansas. Brandi is sharing about the journey from being a nurse to a farmer’s wife and mom to now growing hops, plus how she turned the family camper into a mobile cocktail bar.

Home of The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond, the Osage Nation, and much more, a trip to Pawhuska will not disappoint! Consider this your travel guide cliff notes — infused with a little bit of local flare and insider info.

Sometimes in the journey we lose confidence and settle in a place that is only part of the way to where we’re called to be. We forgot the art of the wild, adventurous, explorative visionary that we are created and called to be. We settled in the place that’s not the real Santa Fe.

We’re kicking off our fourth season of the podcast with Lettie McKinney of MC- Ranch, The Roundtop, and McKinney Farms in Johnson, Kansas (pop. 1,464). Lettie is sharing what it’s been like to come back and take over her family farm and ranch and the incredible journey that she’s been living out.

From one small town dreamer to another, I believe our small towns should be a place where dreams get to live and not die, and we have the incredible opportunity to make them that place, to bring something to a space that needs filled. I believe in your small town dreams, and I created this Small Town Dream Guide with you in mind.

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!

On today’s podcast episode we’re with Madison Lindsey of The Country Cookie in Newell, South Dakota. Madison is sharing how she stumbled into an unexpected business by making cookies out of her home, and as the word got out, the orders came pouring in and her business soon exploded.

On today’s podcast we’re with James Yates of Steerfish Steak & Smoke in Spearfish, South Dakota. James has been in the restaurant business since he was a kid and he actually had no plans of opening a new restaurant in Spearfish...until he saw this incredible historic building, and the rest is history.

The Black Hills of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming offer a playground of incredible scenery, adventure, and rich history — and are the perfect destination for your next road trip. We're sharing our favorites — including local businesses, charming small towns, and experiences you won't want to miss!