Why do some rural towns thrive? Answers to this and other questions, from rural sociologists

Bill Bishop of the Daily Yonder went to the annual meeting of the Rural Sociological Society and, in non-academic terms, found out a bunch of stuff. Here's a hint:

"Some of the most interesting discussions were about the role of ethanol in the economies of Midwestern towns — and the increasing corn monoculture in parts of the Great Plains. There was also a lively debate about how the Obama Administration was approaching rural issues — the jury has yet to return a verdict on this one — and how The New York Times continues to show an anti-rural bias in some of its reports and editorials. There was also a great deal of talk about why some rural towns thrive."

The story is worth reading.