For this episode of Stories for Action, we did an "episode swap" with the Reframing Rural podcast, hosted and produced by Megan Torgerson. While they graciously are airing one of Stories for Action's episodes on their feed, we are airing this first episode of Reframing Rural's third season. In it, Megan speaks with Sarah Vogel, attorney and author of "The Farmer's Lawyer: The North Dakota Nine and the Fight to Save the Family Farm." Sarah shares about her experience taking on the U.S. Government in a class action lawsuit brought forward by 240,000 farmers who were facing foreclosure in the 1980's farm crisis.

This episode touches on the pressures facing local farms and ranchers, which we still see today, but also reminds us to be involved with our democracy, to use our voices, and to hold our elected officials accountable. It reminds us that relatively recently, the public was less concerned with political party loyalty and tearing down one another and more concerned with choosing leaders who selflessly got things done for the betterment of their constituents.

We hope you enjoy this episode from Reframing Rural, and checkout their previous two seasons which share stories of people and places in rural America in an effort to cultivate curiosity and conversation across geographic, class, and cultural divides.

LINKS:

Reframing Rural Podcast

"The Farmer's Lawyer: The North Dakota Nine and the Fight to Save the Family Farm," Sarah Vogel

More on the 1980's farm crisis

National Farmers Union

Farmers' Legal Action Group

Native American Agriculture Fund

"Country" film by Richard Pearce (1984)

“Going Under: North Dakota Lawyer Sarah Vogel Fights to Save Family Farms” feature story in Life Magazine (1982)

USDA Equity Commission

Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. StoriesforAction.org  Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction

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