Developing Healthy Futures: America’s Rural Children
Raising children is more than just a family matter. Especially in rural America, the resources parents and children have or lack access to play a significant part in setting children up for future success. Heidi and Joel hear from North Carolina Representative Ashton Clemmons about the economic and social strain on American families searching for affordable childcare. Karen Ehrens joins later to speak about the important role a healthy diet plays in childhood development and education. Plus, don’t tell Karen, but Heidi does love a good cheeseburger! Our final segment takes you to a small town in rural Michigan, where the annual Cheeseburger in Caseville festival lures tens of thousands of hungry, Jimmy Buffett-loving, tourists every August. The episode is dedicated to Jimmy Buffett and all Parrot Heads.
Rep. Clemmons is an educator and advocate for improvement in the education system. Her background in teaching and experience as a parent bring insights into the economic impacts of the childcare crisis on the families it directly affects as well as on the national economy, and why investment in early childhood education is critical.
Karen Ehrens is the Director of Legislative and Government Affairs at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. As a registered dietitian, she offers a vital perspective on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, and why childhood nutrition impacts us all.
Steve Louwers is the President of the Caseville, Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival has become one of the country’s largest Tropical Rock gatherings.
To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website.
Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.
The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.
Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.
Creators and Guests
Host
Heidi Heitkamp
U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp served as the first female senator elected from North Dakota from 2013 – 2019. he is the founder and Chair of the One Country Project, an organization focused on addressing the needs and concerns of rural America. Heidi was recently named the Director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, a university she has long been committed to and a place where she enjoys engaging with students over civic discussions while encouraging them to seek opportunities in public service to our country. Heidi also serves as a contributor to both CNBC and ABC News.
Host
Joel Heitkamp
He is an multi-award winning talk show host both regionally and nationally. Before radio, he served in the North Dakota Senate from 1995-2008.
