Rural Spark

People are coming, but will they stay?

Rural communities are benefitting from a new wave of urban-to-rural migration during the pandemic. Especially in coastal communities of Atlantic Canada and B.C., new families are providing a much needed boost to school populations and local economies. But are able to keep them? In this episode we explore the challenge of rural retention with Dr. Wayne Caldwell from the University of Guelph, an expert in issues of change in rural communities.

The rural-urban divide in Canadian elections: cause for concern?

The recent federal election result builds on a trend in the rural-urban vote split in Canada. At what point is that cause for concern? Should our electoral system and political parties take any steps to address potential negative impacts of the divide? We talk with political science professors Zach Taylor and Jack Lucas about their research in this area and what the future may hold.

Rural medical students to urban counterparts: try rural practice

A group of medical students from Ontario medical schools are reaching out to those in urban schools to extoll the benefits of small town practice. Their efforts could be one part of the puzzle in solving Canada's rural doctor shortage. Current resident Kathleen Walsh joined us to share the story.

The secrets of seaweed: New festival celebrates the art, food, science and economic potential of marine plants

Scotland is about to host its first seaweed festival -- an artistic, culinary and environmental event on Isle Martin. Festival curator and environmental photographer Julia Barton shares the story and rolls out the welcome mat.

Piloting innovative ideas for rural communities

Test driving new, innovative ideas for rural communities makes sense. It's a low-risk, low-cost way of seeing what might work, what doesn't and what could be a success with a little adaption. That's the kind of work Mary Doyle does in her enterprise, Rural on Purpose. She joined us to share the Rural on Purpose story.

Youth Hackathon tackles pressing rural problems

Young people from countries bordering the North Atlantic recently spent a weekend working in teams to tackle some of the urgent challenges facing our rural communities. We talked with Paula Haapanen with the Canadian partner organization -- the Cooperation Council of Ontario -- to find out how it went and what new ideas rose to the top.

Recruiting rural doctors? Don't forget those studying abroad

While studying medicine in Ireland, Canadian Sarah Kaip is building a network of future doctors there, encouraging them to consider rural medicine back home in Canada. There's no shortage of Canadians studying medicine abroad, and they're sometimes overlooked as a possible solution to our rural doctors shortage. Sarah plans to practice in a rural community; hear her reasons why, and how she's mobilizing others to do the same.

Gurdeep Pandher on joy-making during COVID-19

Who could have predicted that videos of Bhangra dancing from the wilds of the Yukon would help so many of us get through COVID-19? Gurdeep Pandher had to step back and try to make sense of it all himself, as he tells us in this episode. Hear his inspiring story.

From dairy byproduct to vodka: the Dairy Distillery story

Got milk? In the small town of Almonte in Eastern Ontario, the Dairy Distillery is using a byproduct of the dairy industry to make vodka -- to rave reviews. It's a terrific example of rural business innovation that turns waste into valuable products.

Mental health on the family farm

The risk of mental illness among farmers is much higher than in the general population, with often devastating results for individuals, families and communities. DoMoreAg is a non-profit working to raise awareness, break down the stigma and build communities of support for farming families. Executive director Adelle Stewart shares their story.

Indigenous legends add value in tourism

Indigenous storyteller Mary Louise Bernard shares Mi'kmaw legends with Parks Canada visitors, to rave reviews. We talk with Mary Louise about the benefits of bringing Indigenous culture into rural tourism planning. New to the pod? Join Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, as she hosts guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening!

Rethinking rural medicine during COVID-19

12 days from idea to implementation -- that's how long it took to get a new Virtual Triage Assessment Centre up and running in Renfrew County at the start of the pandemic. Dr. Jonathan Fitzsimon tells us how it happened and what it might mean for rural medicine.

Should I start a business during pandemic?

Is there an upside to starting a rural business during the pandemic? That's what Anthea Taljaard did. And so far, so very good. Hear our conversation with her on this week's pod.

Introducing the four day work week

Small towns ask urbanites to stay home

With some urban centres in Canada becoming COVID-19 hotspots, rural communities are seeing some city dwellers retreat to small towns. Ashleigh Wheeden, a PhD student in Rural Studies at Guelph, joins us today to help break down why this is happening and the affects it’s having on residents and rural health care.

Caremongering across Canada

Caremongering is a movement spreading across Canada in the face of COVID-19. Through social media, Caremongering works to promote kindness and share information and resources to help people cope. This week we check in with two Caremongering groups, in Nova Scotia and Manitoba, to see how they are connecting with their communities and why we all need caremongering right now.

From Nairobi to Nova Scotia: a solution to staff shortages

Like many healthcare facilities across Canada, Glen Haven Manor experiences staff shortages. But in 2019, the Pictou County nursing home had an opportunity to find a solution at a refugee camp -- and they seized it. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening!

Leveraging your local college: the collaboration advantage

A maker space in Trail, B.C. just became the first rural fabrication lab in Canada to house a 3D metal printer. Jason Taylor is an instructor & applied researcher at Selkirk College and he joins us today to explain how getting the right tools and resources -- combined with the right attitude -- equips colleges to help local businesses prosper. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lesson...

Planet, people and purpose in business: Going global from Cape Breton

This week we talk to the owner of a new 'ethical' business in Nova Scotia that has quickly gained an international clientele. Tara Milburn's keys to success include smart online networking and growing a team that can work from wherever they want. Hear her intriguing story. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innov...

Are rural people really happier? Some lessons for urbanites

Feel like escaping to the countryside? Rural life is seen by many as a happier alternative to long commutes and crowded cities, but what does the research tell us? We invited McGill professor Dr. Chris Barrington-Leigh to the podcast to share his findings and some valuable lessons. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things ru...

From poverty-stricken to remote jobs leader: how connectivity transformed a rural Kentucky county

It’s old school meets modern technology, a tale that starts with a mule named Bub and ends (for now) with good-paying jobs, a reversal of outmigration and hope in Jackson County, formerly one of the most impoverished areas of the U.S. Keith Gabbard, CEO of the People’s Rural Telephone Cooperative helped make it happen, and he joins us this week to tell the incredible tale. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, ...

Makers, innovators, & entrepreneurs unite! The shared space solution?

Yukonstruct, the first community innovation hub north of 60, believes in the power of synergy. When entrepreneurs, makers and innovators come together, good things happen – good things that create jobs and drive the economy. Executive Director Lana Selbee joins us today to share some innovative northern thinking on rural innovation. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be s...

Grab a carbon neutral cold one

Cowbell Brewing is located in Blyth, Ontario, a town of around 1000 residents. But in its first two years of operations, Cowbell has served hundreds of thousands. In this episode we talk to Grant Sparling from Cowbell Brewing about how this enterprise finds success, how they share that success with their community, and how they got on track to become North America's first carbon-neutral brewery. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to...

Cradle to career: closing the rural education gap

This week we look into the gap in post-secondary education access and achievement for rural students. To help explain what's being done to close that gap, we're joined by Dreama Gentry of Berea College in eastern Kentucky and John White, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Rural Outreach in the US Department of Education. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to su...

Success in rural medicine: The Marathon model

This is a model worth replicating. The small town of Marathon, Ont. has a surplus of doctors. And that's benefiting not only locals, but also neighbouring communities that run short. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening!

Rural health problems and nurse practitioner solutions

Physician shortages leave patients without family doctors and overwhelm emergency departments. Our guest today reframes the discussion around primary healthcare and the role of nurse practitioners in filling the gap. Deborah Hart highlights how nurse practitioners are especially equipped to address the needs of rural and aging communities. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learne...

Country roads, take me home, on my bicycle...

With apologies to John Denver, country roads should indeed be able to take us home, to work, to school and shopping on two wheels. Cycling infrastructure isn't just for cities. Laurie Newton explains why, and shows us where it's done right. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening!...

Making the news: who will fill the gap in rural coverage?

Changes to news media are hitting rural Canada hard. From community papers closing or amalgamating to digital gaps limiting online solutions, access to stories about what's going on in rural communities is becoming increasingly difficult. This week we talk with Ryerson Journalism Professor April Lindgren about how we got here and what we can do about it. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and...

Tiny home solutions vs big bylaw barriers

Tiny homes have the potential to help address numerous challenges in rural Canada. But first, their proponents have to take on local bylaws. Terrilee Kelford of Cornerstone Landing in Lanark Co., Ont. is on the front lines and shares her story with us. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for lis...

Is the Open Library a solution for rural Canada?

A pilot project in N.S. is showing how our libraries can be so much more. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening.