Marcy Bergman of Fueled by Faith Coffee and Marcy Bergman Photography in Sumner, Iowa (pop. 2,021) is sharing about her coffee shop and photography business (both side hustles), plus her role in helping revive Sumner along with two of her incredible friends and how their small wins started building a lot of momentum for revival in the community.

Josh Smith started making knives at age 11 and went on to become the youngest Journeyman Smith and youngest Master Smith. Fast forward to two years ago and a meeting with country artist Thomas Rhett where he got the push he needed to quit his job and go all in with this business, and from there it exploded practically overnight.

Josh Smith started making knives at age 11 and went on to become the youngest Journeyman Smith and youngest Master Smith. Fast forward to two years ago and a meeting with country artist Thomas Rhett where he got the push he needed to quit his job and go all in with this business, and from there it exploded practically overnight.

On today’s episode we’re with Dallas Rosenow of Underestimated Fitness in Cherokee, Oklahoma. Dallas is a personal trainer and certified NASM/CPT life coach. While her business is based out of rural Oklahoma, she serves clients all over the country and helps them create not only a healthy body, but a healthy lifestyle.

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. Have fun shopping!

Today we’re with Marissa Molland of Hardly General and Melissa Nelson of Hungry Canyon to talk about the Rural Route Ramble — a curated, self guided shop hop through some of Northwest Iowa’s rural communities every December.

Today we’re with Mike McCartney, director of the Pawhuska, Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce. We’re talking about all things economic development, starting with the revitalization efforts that helped pave the way for the Pioneer Woman Mercantile and the tourism rush that followed.

Today we’re with Kara Hammes of Brown County Barn Burner in Nashville, Indiana (pop. 1,521). Kara is sharing about opening an Airbnb in a tourist destination and strategically building a space that serves both the tourist and the local community.

Today on the Rural Revival podcast we’re with JB Royer of Royer’s Round Top Cafe in Round Top, Texas (pop. 90). We’re talking about the great family history behind the cafe, the importance of relationships, how they’ve made it possible to ship their pies nationwide, plus Texas Antiques Week and more.

In 1988 the train depot was moved from its location in Courtland to create their current storefront one mile north of town on 36 Highway. As time passed, interest in local apples began to wane and habits of canning and preserving changed.

Luke and Jennifer Mahin are the co-owners of Irrigation Ales located in Courtland, Kansas. Irrigation Ales’ mission is to positively influence our rural region and people through fermentation.

What is needed more in a thriving small town than healthcare, especially in rural America? Talk to most people in North Central Kansas and the average drive to seek healthcare services is 30+ miles. With populations aging and pandemics taking center stage, bringing BIG city resources to small towns is just what Pivotal Health & Wellness is doing.

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.