Wishing you the very best on your new venture, Matt. I look forward to hearing from you about sustainable farming, what farmers need, how we city folks can help. I appreciate your knowledge about farming; your understanding about how farming and the world intersect, all from the perspective of who you are as a person who sees things from a spiritual perspective.
I am looking forward to reading what you have to say. It will be like our semi-regular meetings over coffee, but I won't have to drive to Des Moines for it! (Not that I mind driving to Des Moines, that is).
I appreciate your optimism and your understanding of the need for progressive leaders. I look forward to your thoughtful, challenging words. Cheers to you.
Wonderfully written. Even recognizing that central Iowa was the homeland for the Ioway or Baxoje nation prior to generations of white ownership is a profound way to recognize where we come from and where we are going. I don't know that I have EVER heard an Iowan include that as part of their farm's story. I can't wait to read more.
I got to spend some time with the Meskwaki Nation during my time with the Biden-Harris Administration as the Iowa Farm Service Agency State Executive Director. I'm very much committed to learning more about the history of the people who have called this land home.
Matt, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. Your insights on the need to cultivate leadership in rural communities really resonated with me. Having worked alongside you as an SED, I deeply appreciate your perspective on empowering new voices and fostering collaboration. Your reflections are both timely and inspiring. Thank you for sharing them! I look forward to staying connected!
Thanks for the shout out. Your stories from Mississippi inspire me. I'm filled with hope as I get to know younger leaders like yourself who have already accomplished more than I have with two decades more experience than you!
Matt, I look forward to learning more from you in future posts. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and vision for a brighter future filled with freedom, dignity, opportunity, and justice for all communities. Born and raised in a rural South Georgia community, I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and support this effort.
Tyler, I worked with a group of folks from Obama USDA to try and help people connect with opportunities at USDA after the Biden-Harris election in 2020. That kind of connecting needs to continue as we look at ways to build a network of progressives across the country. Glad to stay connected after our service together at USDA.
Thank you Matt! It doesn’t surprise me that you have been thinking about and now launching your new project. I appreciate the work you have done over the many years I have known you - sheesh, we go along way back! There are many of us seeking a way to make it to the bright side again. Love your metaphor.
You are a prime reason I'm so hopeful about what rural Iowans can do to advance a hopeful future. And what we can do in Iowa, we can do across the entire country.
Thank you for sharing Matt. I value and respect your opinion and vision. It helps to know there are people like you out there doing the work, asking the right questions, and answering the call. Thank you.
Thanks Amy. Republicans under Trump have likely topped out their support. It's now up to those of us who want something other than Trumpism to connect with each other and build a team that supports deeper American values. After yesterday's "performance" by the new administration, it's clear our work is cut out for us and Trump will have no guardrails within his party in his effort to maintain and build his power.
Wishing you the very best on your new venture, Matt. I look forward to hearing from you about sustainable farming, what farmers need, how we city folks can help. I appreciate your knowledge about farming; your understanding about how farming and the world intersect, all from the perspective of who you are as a person who sees things from a spiritual perspective.
Thanks Diana. You and Phil are great examples of city folk who intentionally work at building the rural-urban bridges that our nation needs.
Glad to have you here Matt! Looking forward to sharing your wisdom.
Thanks Suzan.
I am looking forward to reading what you have to say. It will be like our semi-regular meetings over coffee, but I won't have to drive to Des Moines for it! (Not that I mind driving to Des Moines, that is).
Thanks for the support.
I appreciate your optimism and your understanding of the need for progressive leaders. I look forward to your thoughtful, challenging words. Cheers to you.
Thanks Pat.
Check my Substack. I've started a series on rural issues in hopes of helping to bridge the urban - rural divide. https://open.substack.com/pub/sharonlawrence/p/governing-issue-insights-rural-mental?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=a5esd
Thanks for sharing. Lots of work to do.
Wonderfully written. Even recognizing that central Iowa was the homeland for the Ioway or Baxoje nation prior to generations of white ownership is a profound way to recognize where we come from and where we are going. I don't know that I have EVER heard an Iowan include that as part of their farm's story. I can't wait to read more.
I got to spend some time with the Meskwaki Nation during my time with the Biden-Harris Administration as the Iowa Farm Service Agency State Executive Director. I'm very much committed to learning more about the history of the people who have called this land home.
Matt, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. Your insights on the need to cultivate leadership in rural communities really resonated with me. Having worked alongside you as an SED, I deeply appreciate your perspective on empowering new voices and fostering collaboration. Your reflections are both timely and inspiring. Thank you for sharing them! I look forward to staying connected!
Thanks for the shout out. Your stories from Mississippi inspire me. I'm filled with hope as I get to know younger leaders like yourself who have already accomplished more than I have with two decades more experience than you!
Matt, I look forward to learning more from you in future posts. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and vision for a brighter future filled with freedom, dignity, opportunity, and justice for all communities. Born and raised in a rural South Georgia community, I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and support this effort.
Tyler, I worked with a group of folks from Obama USDA to try and help people connect with opportunities at USDA after the Biden-Harris election in 2020. That kind of connecting needs to continue as we look at ways to build a network of progressives across the country. Glad to stay connected after our service together at USDA.
Thank you Matt! It doesn’t surprise me that you have been thinking about and now launching your new project. I appreciate the work you have done over the many years I have known you - sheesh, we go along way back! There are many of us seeking a way to make it to the bright side again. Love your metaphor.
Thank you. We gotta keep trying. I think of all those oppressed over the centuries and know we stand on their shoulders through dark times.
You are a prime reason I'm so hopeful about what rural Iowans can do to advance a hopeful future. And what we can do in Iowa, we can do across the entire country.
Thank you for sharing Matt. I value and respect your opinion and vision. It helps to know there are people like you out there doing the work, asking the right questions, and answering the call. Thank you.
Thanks Amy. Republicans under Trump have likely topped out their support. It's now up to those of us who want something other than Trumpism to connect with each other and build a team that supports deeper American values. After yesterday's "performance" by the new administration, it's clear our work is cut out for us and Trump will have no guardrails within his party in his effort to maintain and build his power.