A Developers guide to Rural America

“City folk just don’t get it” isn’t just the tagline for FarmersOnly.com, it’s something that all people living in rural America agree with. When someone from an urban or metropolitan area comes into a small town surrounded by crop fields and livestock, they stick out like a sore thumb; the locals can, and will, spot you from a mile away. We at Good Steward Consulting enjoy and cherish the rural way of living, and have identified a few things you should know about the small-town way of life before your next visit out to the country: 

1. Everyone either knows each other, is related to one another, or knows   

a relative of the person. The sense of community is like no other! 

No, seriously. You may think the elderly couple who keeps to themselves on the farm isn’t well connected to the people in town, but they are. They probably don’t have social media and might not meet for coffee at the one early-morning designated spot in town, but they either know or are related to everyone. Yes, it might be in a roundabout way, but they are still well connected.

2. Everyone knows everything. Even if you THINK the general population of a town doesn't know about something that's happening in the area, they most likely do. 

That early morning coffee meet-up mentioned in number one? Take that seriously. It might be at the gas station, a fast-food restaurant, or maybe even a real coffee shop! “Did you hear…” is a common beginning of a conversation at these coffee hours, after church, at a youth sporting event, or anywhere a group of people from a small town get together publicly or privately. You can try to keep things under wraps as long as possible, but word will get out eventually whether you want it to or not. 

3. Carhartt apparel is acceptable for fancy dinners, church, and formal events. 

You might think Patagonia is a close replacement, but it’s not. Invest in some Carhartt (and it will last you for eternity).  

4. Furthermore, "dressing up" is khakis and a polo or basic button-down shirt with a pair of loafers or Mary Janes that are easily a few decades old.  

No ties. No suits. No expensive designer items. Heck, we even have our “nice jeans” and sweatpants that can pass as non-sweat pants.  

5. What a combine, tractor, and grain bin is. 

Combine: A combine is that big, trusty machine you see rolling through the  

fields come harvest time. It’s a real workhorse that does it all—cuts the crops  

down, separates the grain, and fills up the grain tank, all in one go.  

Tractor: A tractor is a powerful machine designed primarily for agriculture that is built to pull heavy equipment like plows, cultivators, and planters across the fields.  

Grain Bin: a grain bin is a cylindrical storage structure used to keep harvested  

grain safe until it’s ready for sale or processing. 

6. Their land is more than just "dirt" to them. It's likely been the way of life for their family for generations, like an heirloom that's been passed down. Deciding to make any sort of change with it is a BIG decision. 

To developers, leasing land for a renewable energy project may seem like a no-brainer. However, these decisions are highly personal when it comes to a family's land. While it might end up being one person’s decision, the outcome can cost someone their relationships and reputation no matter the decision and reasoning. 

7. Every time you smell manure you must say "Smells like money"!  

Manure is a natural fertilizer that farmers use for their crops, which in turn helps them turn a more profitable yield. Don’t plug your nose next time you drive past a manure pile, thank the animals who produced it!  

8. If there are two local ice cream places in town, you can almost guarantee that friendships have ended arguing about which one is better. 

Remain ambiguous, even though you will end up liking one more than the other.  

9. Someone’s "next-door neighbor" might be a few miles away. 

Yes, in town people’s next-door neighbors will be what you traditionally envision. But Farmer Joe? His neighbor is across the field over there.  

10. When planting and harvest seasons are.  

Planting and harvest seasons can vary based on the type of crop and geographic location. Generally planting season is in the late spring and those crops will be harvested in the fall; however, crops like winter wheat are planted in the fall and harvested in the spring or early summer the following year. Get to know what your local crop farmers grow!  

11. What to Drive in Rural Communities.  

A mustang or a Dodge Challenger is not the right fit for showing up to public or private meetings. A truck, mid-size SUV, or car is more suitable. Soccer mom mini van is cool too, but no sports cars (unless it is a vintage collector).  

12. Definition of “Hot Dish” (Okay, maybe just in Minnesota...) 

A hot dish is a comforting, hearty main dish that’s especially popular in Midwestern cuisine. It typically consists of a combination of a starch (like potatoes or pasta), a protein (such as ground beef or chicken), a vegetable, and a creamy or cheesy sauce, all baked together in a single dish. Hot dishes are often served at potlucks, family gatherings, and community events because they’re easy to prepare and can feed a crowd. You can never go wrong with suggesting or showing up with a Tater Tot Hot Dish. Minnesotans will die on the hill that it is called “hot dish.” I mean, it just makes sense. It is a hot dish! What does “casserole” even mean?  

12. How to play pull tabs.  Pull tabs are a dive bar favorite. You might even find them at a family restaurant, local fair, or fundraiser! You will need to buy your pull tab, either from the bar or from a machine that rolls them out, and then rip them open. After you have revealed your fate, you’ll check for winning combinations. If you have a winning ticket, you can usually redeem it for a prize, which can vary depending on the specific pull tab game and venue.  

13. When farmers talk about tiles, they don’t mean the kind on the kitchen floor or bathroom backsplash.  

Tile, or drainage tile, is a network of pipes we bury underground to help manage water in fields. When a field receives an excess of water, the tiles collect the extra water and carry it away, keeping fields from flooding or mitigating it as much as possible. 

14. Lastly, rural people are intelligent and educated, they just don’t wear fancy suits and shoes. 

A degree on display, an expensive watch, and the newest versions of technology do not indicate whether a person is educated, professional, and well-equipped to be successful. We often appreciate the finer things in life and will make our belongings last as long as possible. Not everyone has a bachelor’s or graduate degree, and that’s okay. Many of our lessons were taught in a cornfield, a high school gymnasium, or a local park, and those are just as valuable.  

We hope our guide helps you out the next time to travel to your project area; or if you live in a rural area, we hope that we were able to provide you with some laughs. We treasure our peace and community out here in rural America and are lucky to be able to share a piece of it with you.