The Strong Towns Podcast How To Build Resilience in Struggling Rural Communities
Dec 8, 2025
Brian Reisinger, an author and farm consultant, shares insights on the dire state of family farms and their impact on rural communities. He talks about the generational shift in farming skills and the persistent challenges farmers face, including debt and consolidation pressures. Reisinger emphasizes the link between farm loss and the decline of small towns, while exploring innovative solutions like farm diversification and agritourism. He also highlights the potential for resurgence in rural areas spurred by new consumer interest and changes brought by the pandemic.
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Returning To The Family Farm
- Brian Reisinger describes growing up as the first generation in his family not to farm full-time while still returning to help on the family farm.
- He balances a writing career, consulting, and pitching in on farm business and labor when needed.
The March Of Generations
- Reisinger calls the generational shift the "march of generations," where comfort grows but compounding pressure to survive increases.
- Each generation inherits some advantages and new vulnerabilities tied to debt and changing economies.
Drought, Debt And Neighborly Solidarity
- Brian recounts his parents' marriage year drought and neighbors banding together to avoid crushing debt.
- He links family stories of surviving severe historical hardships to farming's daily lessons about survival.
