Got milk? In the small town of Almonte in Eastern Ontario, the Dairy Distillery is using a byproduct of the dairy industry to make vodka -- to rave reviews. It's a terrific example of rural business innovation that turns waste into valuable products.  ..read more

Milan Wall has discovered “clues” to rural community survival and prosperity through research done by the Heartland Center for Leadership Development in Nebraska. As co-director of the Center, Wall shares with Rural Spark how people can revitalize their small towns. You may be surprised by the best practices he's discovered. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening ..read more

The Minister of Rural Economic Development is on a tour of rural Canada to hear people’s concerns and ideas for a national rural strategy. She joins us in-studio this week to talk about what she’s learning - and what will come of it. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening ..read more

This week we look at three isolated Acadian communities and their fight to protect, preserve and celebrate their cultural heritage. In recent years, technology is helping. Have a listen! New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening ..read more

Rural communities are benefitting from a new wave of urban-to-rural migration during the pandemic. Especially in coastal communities of Atlantic Canada and B.C., new families are providing a much needed boost to school populations and local economies. But are able to keep them? In this episode we explore the challenge of rural retention with Dr.  Wayne Caldwell from the University of Guelph, an expert in issues of change in rural communities.  ..read more

Modern coworking spaces can help meet the needs of remote workers and entrepreneurs in rural communities. But how does it differ from urban coworking models? Can coworking help attract new rural residents? Andrew Button shares his insights with us. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening ..read more

How can communities harness entrepreneurial spirit to help their economies thrive? This week we talk with Ryan Williams, founder of QuinteVation, about this unique, ground-up response to the business community’s needs – especially around acceleration -- in Ontario’s Bay of Quinte region. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening ..read more

Test driving new, innovative ideas for rural communities makes sense. It's a low-risk, low-cost way of seeing what might work, what doesn't and what could be a success with a little adaption. That's the kind of work Mary Doyle does in her enterprise, Rural on Purpose. She joined us to share the Rural on Purpose story.  ..read more

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It’s old school meets modern technology, a tale that starts with a mule named Bub and ends (for now) with good-paying jobs, a reversal of outmigration and hope in Jackson County, formerly one of the most impoverished areas of the U.S. Keith Gabbard, CEO of the People’s Rural Telephone Cooperative helped make it happen, and he joins us this week to tell the incredible tale. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural in ..read more