Quick hits: Advice for new farmers; USDA names several state directors; is coverage of minor crimes a public good?

Thriving crops grown under solar panels (Barron-Gafford Research Group photo)

Here's a roundup of stories with rural resonance; if you do or see similar work that should be shared on The Rural Blog, email heather.chapman@uky.edu.

Here's a great example of "rural nice": Residents in Tappahannock, Va., raised over $4,200 to buy a car for a 60-year-old Burger King employee who has had to walk to work for seven years. Read more here.

A first-generation farmer has advice for people thinking about becoming farmers. Read more here.

A student journalist considers whether covering minor crimes contributes to the public good. Read more here.

Crops grown under solar panels—a practice called agrivoltaics—could be even more productive than usual, research shows. In a nutshell: they still get enough sunlight to thrive, but the added shade means the soil won't dry out as much, and can generally reduce stress to the plant. Read more here.

The Agriculture Department has announced the appointments of five Farm Service Agency state executive directors and seven Rural Development state directors. Read more here.