This collection of photographs represents LUCEO’s first installment in a group project focusing on industrial and population changes in rural America. We will examine the profound shift in nonmetropolitan areas from agrarian roots to an economy where, presently, no more than 6% of its residents remain employed by the agricultural sector. Contrary to preconceptions about a dwindling rural America, this ongoing shift in rural industry has been marked by a slow, constant net growth. This increase in rural populations is owed, in part, to a globalized and increasingly decentralized and de-regionalized economy. This change in industry, however, does not represent an overall repurposing of rural communities. Instead, there has been a slow population decline in farming-based counties throughout the middle states of America offset by significant growth in western states that boast alternative economies.
We will work as a group to focus on issues endemic to three rural regions. By traveling together and sharing notes and resources, we will create a more comprehensive document of the places we visit. Each region will be defined by a rough path along which we will travel.
The Few & Far Between West Travelogue is available in the LUCEO STORE >>
The Few & Far Between Case Study is also available under LUCEO COMMERCIAL >>