Grange President Calls For Steps To Strengthen Rural America

National Grange President Chris Hamp says there are many needs and challenges in rural America, and it’s important that those rural voices are heard. Hamp is calling on Grange members to advocate on a wide variety of issues impacting everyone who lives in small-town America; whether those issues are agriculture, immigration, broadband or essential programs.

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“Courage, civility, and service," Hamp said. "If everybody made that a priority, we would be in a better place. And so I wanted to try to get across it. But yeah, the opportunities are maybe overwhelming to some, but they're opportunities to make a difference in a huge way.”

Photo: Glenn Vaagen

When it comes to healthcare, Hamp pointed out that services are rarely close to rural communities, which makes scheduling appointments and receiving care even more challenging.

“In the last two decades, almost 200 rural hospitals have closed and over 700 more are now at risk," she noted. "You know, we're seeing this issue of you can't get help close to home.”

Photo: Glenn Vaagen

And Hamp said it’s important that a stronger emphasis be put on mental health in rural America. She noted that suicide rates in rural counties are 60% higher than in urban area, and 65% of all rural counties have no psychiatrist at all.