Rural Democacy in The New Yorker

Committed and trained leaders fuel highly effective grassroots efforts

In a recent article from “The New Yorker,” Charles Duhigg shows the effectiveness of investing in local groups that develop leaders through year-round organizing. The article highlights how three Rural Democracy grantees build power as a model for driving change across the country. The article also quoted Rural Democracy Executive Director Sarah Jaynes, who notes the need to increase funding to rural groups on the ground.

The Harris campaign and these big Senate races had more money than they could use — but the groups on the ground who know people, the trusted messengers, they’re basically ignored.
Sarah Jaynes

The stakes are clear for rural people as federal policies impact the cost of farm supplies and labor, keeping rural hospitals open, health care and electricity prices, and the fate of our immigrant neighbors. More rural people than ever are clamoring to take action. Groups must be supported so they can develop an expansive team of skilled leaders to meet this demand and convert large-scale volunteer action into meaningful policy and political change.