small town DREAMIN'
- Saydee Longhurst
- Jun 22, 2020
- 3 min read
This week is all about the small towns.
May we live in them.
May we love them.
May we celebrate them.
To start off, I would like to share some of my all time favorite country songs regarding rural living. You can catch me on the regular cruising around with my aviators on, windows down admiring the fields of crops that seem to be a sea of green on the backroads. Along with small town jams, I also want to touch on small town farmers and how they truly are the backbone of America. But first cue the beats!
THE LIST:
#1 - Morgan Wallen // American Nights
#2 - Kenny Chesney // American Kids
#3 - Florida Georgia Line // Small Town
#4 - Kellie Pickler // Small Town Girls
#5 - Miranda Lambert // Famous In a Small Town
#6 - John Mellencamp // Small Town
#7 - Kacey Musgraves // This Town
#8 - Brandy Clark // Big Day in a Small Town
#9 - Lainey Wilson // LA
#10 - Jon Pardi // Back on the Backroads
#11 - Luke Bryan // Here's to the Farmer
#12 - Miranda Lambert // The House That Built Me
#13 - Scotty McCreery // Home In My Mind
#14 - Hal Ketchum // Small Town Saturday Night
#15 - My Town // Montgomery Gentry
If you're feeling down or looking for something to do one evening, cue up these songs and take a drive through the rural country and appreciate a slower way of life. I think as a country and globe we have been given the opportunity to take a look at the things that really matter in life as we have been asked to stay home through the coronavirus pandemic. In my life personally, I count this as a blessing. For Pete's sake I have started this blog as a result of quarantine. It had been an idea floating around in my mind since last summer and I hadn't taken the time to execute it. Even if I am the only one that reads it, it makes me happy to have all of my thoughts on topics I am passionate about in one place!
Anyways...enough of that rambling! Let's talk ag. Below I have linked various articles regarding farm families in small towns all across the the country.
Number One:
For this small town in Arkansas, the promotion of agriculture is their economic salvation. Farmers and businessmen in Desha County had banded together to revitalize their beloved small town by highlighting their number one industry, ag. I thoroughly loved this article as I am all about ambition and not allowing to be passed by as society changes. This small town pays homage to what the town was founded on, agriculture. How can you not love that?!
Number Two:
I really love the Successful Farming Magazine (that of course, my dad has a subscription to, #justfarmerthings) I love glancing through it when it comes in the mail. This article is from 2014 so it is dated, but I loved the suggestions it gives on how to engage people from all walks of life in a small town. I think that is vital if we are to save small towns across America!
Number Three:
WOW! This video actually made me pretty emotional. I could perfectly see my town in a video just like this, as I'm sure each of you could. Plus the videography of the whole thing is just so well done that makes it enjoyable to watch.
Here is a link to an interview done by AgDaily with the creator of How Farms Work who put together the video:
Number Four:
This is a short video describing the 'Farm Crisis' of the 1980's. It was interesting for me to learn a bit about a time in history that I wasn't super familiar with. It gave me quite a bit to think about as I look at farming now and how the past plays such large roll in the future.
I hope as you go throughout this week you will look at the place where you currently live or where you grew up and think about the roll agriculture plays in your community. For me, I know it plays a huge role in the demographics of who participates in community events as well as the actual lay of the land. The saying 'save the small towns' is just a prevalent now as it was 10-15 years ago. They aren't making anymore land. So let us be mindful how and what we will use the land for.
Again, thank you for sticking with me and reading this far. I truly appreciate it.
*tips ball cap from the tractor seat*
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