The most recent issue of the Journal of Rural and Community Development, published by the Rural Development Institute (RDI) at Brandon University, hosts an article written by Stacey Swearingen White at KU. In the article, she describes her research involving farmers across the state and their perception of local community needs. White found that as one moves west across Kansas the views of farmers in smaller communities become more negative in that they see their small towns continuing to decline and yet are unable to offer any suggestions as to how that change might be or will be stymied. It is her conclusion that strategies for rural self-development and regional centers are topics of compelling interest to these residents and that they need to be engaged in all future planning efforts.
The paper can be accessed by going to the Journal of Rural and Community Development website to see the full slate of articles or by clicking on this link: No. 11.
Stacey Swearingen White is Associate Professor and Chair of the University of Kansas Urban Planning Department. She also serves as Director of Academic Programs for the KU Center for Sustainability. Her research focuses broadly on environmental and land use planning, and sustainability practices at the local government level.
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