The work of the Rural Cause began in the 2018-2019 school year by a group of dedicated students who cared deeply about rural places. Our work has included:
Community Events
- In April 2025, we hosted an in-person policy panel with three local experts to discuss how the second Trump administration will impact local foods, sustainability, and rural communities. Our panelists, Benji Ballmer, co-founder of Yellowbird Foodshed; Khara Strum, Executive Director of Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association; and former Ohio Congressional Representative Dennis Eckart shared their perspectives on conservation goals, food transparency, and the politics of farming.
- Every semester, the Rural Cause hosts a tour of local businesses in Mount Vernon. Together with our peers, we visit and support shops including the antique shop, Crickets; the apothecary, Old Mr. Bailiwick’s; Kudos Art Co-Op; The Blessed Life; Fat Dog Vinyl; and Paragraphs Book Store.
- In November 2024, we visited the Danville Animal Auction and learned about the processes involved with livestock auctions and how local farmers purchase animals, feed, and equipment while interacting with community members.
- In October 2024, we hosted a tour of Peirce Dining Hall, led by AVI Serves Manager William Houston. We learned about where the food at Kenyon is sourced from, and how our dining hall manages production.
- In February 2021, the Cause hosted a panel called “The Future of Rural America under President Biden,” which brought together policy experts in areas like agriculture, health, and broadband to discuss the prospects for rural policy under the Biden administration. We are organizing another policy panel for 2025.
- To advance civil dialogue, we hosted a community conversation around public education in Knox County in 2019. Students, faculty, staff, and community members joined together for this dinner to share their experiences. We plan to continue this tradition after the pandemic.
- The Rural Cause enjoys a presence at other community gatherings, too, including the annual Harvest Festival and the Office of Student Engagement’s involvement fair.
Reading Groups
- We have sponsored community readings for many semesters now, discussing titles such as The Shepherd’s Life, Braiding Sweetgrass, and What You’re Getting Wrong About Appalachia.
Speaker Visits
- We attract speakers from central Ohio and around the country to discuss important issues facing rural communities. Past speakers have included a food justice advocate; journalists from the Mount Vernon News who spoke on local homelessness; and Professor Ric Sheffield, who lectured on local Black history.
Film Screenings
- We have sponsored film screenings that center around rural identities for the Kenyon community, including Minari (2020), In God We Trust (2024), and Nope (2022).
Supporting Students
- Since its inception, a primary goal of the Cause has been to support students who hail from small towns, study rural life, practice agriculture, or have similar interests and backgrounds. We pursue this work through conversations with campus leaders about shaping curriculum; advertising relevant professional opportunities via email and this website; and creating spaces where students feel recognized and supported for their interests and identities.
Lobbying for Change
- Our behind-the-scenes work has involved “lobbying” the College’s leadership to emphasize our place in Knox County in admissions and communications materials, prioritize community engagement, and incorporate rural initiatives in their work.
The Rural Cause 