I first encountered the Center for Rural Affairs in the 1970s, when the organization was in its infancy. The expertise at the Center is extraordinary, and the organization's work reminds us of the value of rural communities.
Over the years, I have worked in different areas of the medical field as nurse practitioner, including positions in home health care, care centers, hospitals, as a traveling nurse, EMT, and more. I planned to retire when my husband retired from farming, but ended up working for the local health department during the pandemic.
After working through the pandemic, I took a part-time position as the school nurse in Creighton, Nebraska, when my husband and I moved off our farm in the Lindy area of Knox County. I have a lifelong interest in issues affecting public schools. My mom and grandmother were elementary teachers, so I’m very aware of the time and hard work that a good teacher commits to. Now, as a school nurse, I see that every day.
When I joined the Center’s Board of Directors in 2020, I aimed to focus on the environment, policies supporting family farms, public school issues, and public health. I care about policy Issues that affect the rural Midwest as well as support small businesses in rural areas.
I am impressed with the Center's high quality of work, and I hope the Center and Board will continue to be responsive to changing needs of the rural Midwest and inevitable challenges that will arise.
