Hands holding a smartphone as a camera in the foreground. In the background string lights are shown in pleasing unfocused bokeh.

10 small steps toward a better community that don’t require permission

You’d like to do more for your small town or rural community, but you’re held back by at least a couple of things: You don’t actually need either of those. Small steps can be meaningful and usually don’t require permission. That’s why Deb and I say: 99% of the best things you can do for…

Basket of small tomatoes with a handwritten note: take some fresh picked tomatoes

How Marieta, Sue and Julie are feeding their communities

Your friends and fellow newsletter readers Sue, Julie and Marieta shared how they’re getting more food to the people having the hardest time affording it right now. We told you about Julie Kent, the librarian from Erie, Kansas. In 2020 the library shared seeds and plants and support. Here’s her latest update: We continue to…