OCTOBER 2022
COVER STORY
Tackling Climate Change Means Leveraging Beef ’s Benefits, pg. 21 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | OCTOBER 2022 1
Contents
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
About Us
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.—
6 Top Five Ways to Reduce Your Home Energy Costs This Fall
9 Why HIV Testing Should Be an Important and Normal Part of Your Self-Care Routine 11 Five Reasons Why Rapid City Should be Your Destination Vacation This Fall 15 The leaves are falling, but your proactive health measures don’t have to-help protect yourself against pneumococcal pneumonia
17 Want free internet? It’s more accessible than ever 18 Six ways small and midsize businesses can set working parents up for success 19 Knocking Down Barriers for first-time Homebuyers COVER STORY 21Tackling climate change means leveraging beef ’s benefits 25 Four wellness tips to help you revamp your routine this fall
Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com
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Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—
Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag
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Top Five Ways to Reduce Your Home Energy Costs This Fall As temperatures begin dropping this fall, you may be worrying about rising energy costs. Fortunately, there are a number of simple, proactive steps you can take that will save on energy and expenses for your home - while also increasing comfort - today and well into the future. On top of that, you will also be helping to increase the value of your home with these effective energy-saving measures. Consider these 5 steps to help your home become more energy-efficient. 1. Give your furnace or boiler a checkup. Get in the habit of having your furnace or boiler professionally tuned up and cleaned at least once a year, ideally just before the weather starts turning colder. Just as you perform regular maintenance on your vehicle, make sure your entire HVAC system is in top condition - and replace your furnace filter at least every 90 days - to help your HVAC system run more efficiently. This will reduce your utility bills over time, while keeping you and your family warmer. 2. Go tankless. Looking for a great way to cut down on energy usage and also ensure more consistent access to hot water? Upgrading to a tankless water heater will save on energy and expenses compared to a traditional water heater. For example, Noritz EZ Series high-efficiency, condensing tankless water heaters are engineered to replace larger, conventional storage tank-type units, cutting both installation time and costs substantially. The wallhung technology also has zero footprint in your home, which is a great space saver for smaller homes or if you just need more areas for storage. Tankless water heaters efficiently provide continuous hot water - meaning no more cold showers - along with big energy savings. In addition, tankless water heaters like the Noritz EZ Series also result in reduced carbon emissions and have a longer life expectancy than traditional models. Tankless water heaters use top-mounted water connections, avoiding the need for additional and costly plumbing. Even better, you can often find money-saving rebate programs from your local gas utility for your new tankless water heater that will help cut the installed cost even more. 3. Insulate your attic. You’re probably aware that
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heat rises - so if your attic is not properly insulated, you may be losing a lot of heated air through your roof every winter. Lack of good attic insulation can also lead to damage from ice buildup, which is costly to repair. If you own an older home, it’s a good idea to have your attic inspected for insulation before winter sets in. And while older homes are the least likely to have properly insulated attics, even if you have a newer home it’s worth having a professional check to see if your attic is under-insulated. This can make a big difference when it comes to heating costs. 4. Make your thermostat programmable. If it’s been a while since you upgraded your thermostat, you may be surprised at what new programmable thermostats can do to help keep your home comfortable while also saving on utility bills. The latest models provide much better fine tuning when setting your thermostat, allowing better control of the energy you’re using to heat (or cool) your home. You can make sure you’re not overheating your house when you’re asleep or not at home. Traveling or on vacation? New smart thermostats allow you to adjust your home’s thermostat controls remotely, using your phone or another electronic device. 5. Check for leaks. Every year, homeowners lose a lot of heated (or cooled) air through leaks around areas like windows, doors and chimneys. Inspecting your home for leaks can alert you to spots where you may need to improve caulking, flashing or weather-stripping for a fairly low-cost fix. For a longer-term solution, you may want to consider replacing older, less energy-efficient windows and doors with new ones. For help finding leaks, call your utility company. Many provide energy audits to help customers locate trouble spots in their homes. By taking a few of these proactive steps, you can help your family stay cozy and comfortable all winter, while also helping to save energy and protect your budget. Visit EZSeries.Noritz.com to learn more about how you can save energy, space and expenses on heating water for your home.—
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Why HIV Testing Should Be an Important and Normal Part of Your Self-Care Routine The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges and altered ways of living across the globe. Now, more than two years later, the effects are still felt widely. Many non-emergent clinical services were limited or suspended during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, which may have adversely impacted epidemics of public health importance, such as HIV, and access to testing, which is a cornerstone of prevention efforts.[1] While adjusting to a new normal, it’s time to reprioritize making routine HIV screening a normal and important part of self-care. In 2019, an estimated one in eight people living with HIV in the US were unaware of their status,[2] and in 2016 nearly 80 percent of new HIV infections were transmitted by people who didn’t know they had HIV or were not in care.[3] Further, HIV diagnoses have greatly declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] According to a recent analysis, the number of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded HIV tests conducted by the country’s health departments plunged by nearly half from 2019 to 2020.[5] Another report indicates that HIV diagnoses dropped by 17% from 2019 to 2020, after declining by no more than 3% annually since 2016, likely due to disruptions to HIV-related services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.4 To help normalize HIV testing, Gilead launched Press Play, a resource to encourage routine testing as a regular part of self-care and help deter negative emotions or stigma associated with HIV screenings. HIV testing is for everyone - the CDC recommends people between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care, and some people may benefit from getting tested more often.[6] Press Play provides information about what you can expect during an HIV test, next steps to take after a test, and other tools - including options for finding an HIV testing site or ordering a free athome test - to help make test taking easier. “With Press Play, our goal is to normalize routine HIV screening as an important part of self-care by providing resources to help you get tested and information on your options once you have your test results - no matter the outcome,” said David Malebranche, MD, MPH, Senior Director of Global HIV Medical Affairs at Gilead. “Once you know your HIV status, you’re on your way to moving forward. You can connect with your HCP to understand options to
help prevent or treat HIV.” While it’s natural to feel nervous about getting tested for HIV, no matter the test result, there is power in knowing your HIV status. By knowing your status, you are better equipped to discuss prevention or treatment options with a health care provider. Although there is currently no cure for HIV, there are several options available to help prevent or treat HIV. The only way to know your HIV status is through testing. It’s time to reintroduce testing into self-care routines and work together to help put an end to the HIV epidemic. To learn more about HIV testing, find HIV testing sites, or order a free at-home test, visit Press Play’s website at hivtestnow.com. [1] Moitra E, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV testing rates across four geographically diverse urban centres in the United States: An observational study. Lancet Reg Health Am. 2022;7:100159. doi:10.1016/j.lana.2021.100159 [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC fact sheet: HIV in the United States and dependent areas. Accessed May 31, 2022. https:// www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/statistics/overview/cdc-hiv-usataglance.pdf [3] CDC. Gaps in HIV testing and treatment hinder efforts to stop new infections. Accessed March 18, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/ p0315-gaps-hinder-hiv-testing.html [4] CDC. HIV Surveillance Report, 2020; vol. 33. Accessed May 31, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/hiv-surveillance/vol-33/index.html [5] Patel D, et al. HIV testing services outcomes in CDC-funded health departments during COVID-19. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2022. doi:10.1097/ QAI.0000000000003049 [6] “Should I get tested for HIV?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV: Getting tested. Accessed May 31, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/ basics/hiv-testing/getting-tested.html------
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Five Reasons Why Rapid City Should be Your Destination Vacation This Fall Just because summer is coming to a close doesn’t mean that your travel plans have to end. Autumn is a beautiful season that has much to offer would-be travelers. If you’re planning a vacation this fall, consider heading to Rapid City, South Dakota. Known as the “Gateway to the Black Hills,” Rapid City is close to so many historic places and stellar views of natural and man-made landmarks that are enhanced by the color and weather of autumn. Check out these five reasons why you and your family should visit Rapid City this fall. 1. Events. If you visit Rapid City in the fall, you’ll have plenty of events you can attend. Take the family to the Pumpkin Festival at downtown’s Main Street Square and kick off the season by taking a hayride, playing in an inflatable bounce house or simply enjoying the BH Parent Harvest Market. For the artists in your family, check out the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival or the Wild West Songwriters Festival. Want to get spooky this fall? Head over to the Adams House for some Paranormal Investigations. At night, stop by the Mount Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony or the Legends in Light Laser Show at Crazy Horse Monument. 2. Scenic routes. Enjoy the quietness of autumn in and near Rapid City. Whether you like to take long drives or a leisurely day hike, you’ll have so many scenic routes to choose from. Pack the family into the minivan and drive through the Needles Highway and Badlands Loop Road. Or pack a lunch and hike through Badlands National Park, Custer State Park or Spearfish Canyon. No matter where you choose to go, you’ll be greeted by the changing of the seasons and surrounded by colorful fall foliage. 3. Downtown. Downtown Rapid City has so much to explore. With 26 restaurants, 34 shops and more than 150 events, you won’t have a hard time finding something everyone in the family will enjoy. Head to the heart of downtown to Main Street Square and attend a live concert or family-friendly festivals.
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Afterward, head to Art Alley to take in unique murals. Be sure to check out the life-sized bronze statues of past American presidents throughout downtown. 4. National treasure. One of the most attractive aspects of Rapid City is that it’s centrally located near some of the country’s national treasures. Make Rapid City your vacation home base and take in the historic parks and monuments of the Midwest. Just 12 minutes away, you can visit the Black Hills National Forest and explore canyons, grasslands, streams and deep blue lakes. Or take a quick 30-minute drive and take in the astonishing beauty of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. There’s no end to the educational and inspiring places you can visit in this area. 5. Tribal history. The Black Hills are home to a rich history of seven Native American Tribes, and you can learn and appreciate their sacred stories, lifeways, arts and traditions right here in Rapid City. Head over in October and witness the Black Hills Powwow, a three-day cultural event that displays the talents of hundreds of Native American dancers, singers and artisans. Take a short day trip to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain carving in progress, honoring one of the most recognized and revered figures of the Lakota Indian Tribe. If you need a day of indoor activities, head to The Journey Museum and Learning Center and check out the interactive displays featuring geology, paleontology, archaeology, Native American culture and more. Mark your calendars, pack your bags and get ready to take in the beauty of the Black Hills this fall. To learn more about Rapid City and surrounding activities and attractions, check out VisitRapidCity.com.—
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The leaves are falling, but your proactive health measures don’t have to-help protect yourself against pneumococcal pneumonia. There are many things to enjoy about fall. From cooler temperatures to the colors of the leaves, and all the fun activities that come with the changing of the season, it is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. But along with the changing seasons and a slight chill in the air, come the looming days ahead of increased respiratory infections. This fall, don’t let pneumococcal pneumonia get in the way of taking in all the things this season has to offer. Here are some fun, health-oriented activities to try this fall: * Take long walks outside: One of the best ways to stay active as the weather changes is taking a long walk to enjoy the fresh, crisp air. * Pick your own apples: Enjoy a healthy snack full of fiber and antioxidants by picking apples at a local apple orchard. * Hit the farmer’s market: Take advantage of fresh, organic fruits and veggies at your local farmer’s market, while supporting local businesses and farms. * Find out if you’re at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia and learn about vaccination to help prevent it. Pneumococcal pneumonia can strike any time of
year, and pneumococcal vaccination is available yearround. While you’re getting vaccinated against flu this season, don’t forget to ask your doctor or pharmacist about pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination. Even if you’ve already had a previous pneumonia vaccine, your healthcare provider may recommend it for additional protection. What is pneumococcal pneumonia? Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt your life for weeks. In severe cases, it can put you in the hospital and even be life-threatening. Who is at risk? The risk for pneumococcal pneumonia increases for adults 19 or older with certain chronic health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, COPD, and chronic heart disease, among others. People aged 65 or older are also at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia, even if they’re generally healthy, because the immune system weakens with age. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist, No matter the season, it’s important to think about what you can do to help protect your health. Don’t wait - talk to a doctor or pharmacist about pneumococcal vaccination. To learn more about the disease, risks, symptoms and more, visit KnowPneumonia.com.—
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Want Free Internet? It’s More Accessible Than Ever. In the past few years, the United States has made significant progress in expanding access to highspeed internet. During the COVID-19 crisis, emergency relief rolled out for Americans who needed to stay connected from home. In the last two years, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the federal government has invested an unprecedented amount of money towards connectivity, including the launch of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides a $30 monthly subsidy for home internet to qualifying households. And while the resources are there, getting families online remains part of the challenge - millions of Americans still remain unconnected at home, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). “As a society, it is imperative that we work together to help people connect to the transformative power of the internet at home,” says Broderick Johnson, executive vice president of public policy and digital equity for Comcast Corporation. “The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for millions of Americans to get online for little to no cost, but connectivity is just the beginning. It’s critical for service providers like Comcast to continue to partner with nonprofit organizations across the country to deliver digital literacy skills training so more people can learn how to take full advantage of everything the internet has to offer.” What is the ACP? The ACP is a benefit program that helps ensure every household can afford broadband connection. For eligible households, the program provides a credit of $30 per month toward internet service, or $75 per month for those on Tribal lands. Who qualifies for the ACP? You are eligible to use ACP benefits if your income is 200 percent or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. When you apply, you may have to show proof of income. You are also eligible if you or someone in your household participates in any of these programs: * Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program * Medicaid * Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Wom-
en, Infants, and Children (WIC) * Supplemental Security Income (SSI) * Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) * Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit * Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools * Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year You can learn more about the qualifications at AffordableConnectivity.gov. Two easy ways to use your benefits: Internet service providers like Comcast make it easy to use your ACP credit and can essentially make high-speed internet free for qualified households. Here are two smart ways to use your $30 benefit through Comcast’s Xfinity services: High-speed internet: At a cost of $29.95 a month - which is completely covered by ACP - the Internet Essentials Plus package offers fast speeds to support the performance of video and music streaming, video calls and gaming, and comes with a free cable modem and WiFi router. Internet plus one line of unlimited mobile: Qualified individuals can also stretch their credit to cover the cost of high-speed internet ($9.95) plus one line of unlimited data on Xfinity Mobile ($45) for less than $25 per month. This ensures you’ll stay connected at home and everywhere you go. Comcast also allows customers to choose any tier of internet service, so if you are already a customer, then you can enroll in the program and start getting the $30 off your bill soon after. “Connection to high-speed Internet is no longer a luxury,” says Johnson. “It is a daily necessity, and we are doing our part to make it accessible to everyone across the country.” To learn more about the ACP and find out if you are eligible, visit Xfinity.com/ACP.—
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Six Ways Small and Midsize Businesses Can Set Working Parents Up for Success The pandemic has dramatically altered the workplace, resulting in remote work becoming more fluid and flexible in the small and midsize business (SMB) ecosystem and beyond. Hybrid and work-from-home experiences are evolving into “work-from-anywhere” models for many organizations - with workers and companies alike thinking beyond the office. According to a recent American Opportunity Survey by McKinsey, 58% of Americans are now able to work from home at least one day per week, while 35% can work remotely five days per week. This shift is especially important for parents wanting to spend more time with family rather than using those hours for commuting. As companies of all sizes consider their roles in supporting employees, they must continue thinking outside the box to better support work/life balance needs that in turn attract and retain top talent. Offering the structure and resources to support parents 18
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and other employees who value personal time is crucial, as it empowers employees to create the most realistic and functional conditions for themselves and their team(s). Prioritizing unique offerings for employees not only leads to business stability and continuity, but it ultimately allows employees greater autonomy to manage their time so they can be more impactful and effective. “Business leaders need to adjust their perception of what employees need to be successful and productive - but also well-rounded human beings. It all starts with open conversations and a creative, solution-oriented approach,” said Lindsey Greathouse, director of Global SMB Marketing, Lenovo. Here are six crucial ways SMBs can accommodate and support the needs of their working parent employees. 1. Maintain an open dialogue by encouraging transparency . Communication is a two-way street.
Provide employees with opportunities to freely express their concerns as well as ideas and goals. Employ the best tech tools available to make communication effortless, from video conferencing and messaging to occasional engagement surveys. Encourage employees to share their thoughts in large and small group settings as well as anonymously, fostering a frequent exchange of ideas to benefit the entire organization. Additionally, receiving timely, thorough and straightforward information from leadership helps employees feel included and part of the business. This is especially crucial for working parents who need advance notice for changes as it relates to scheduling, staffing or any other impactful shifts so they can find a solution to minimize any impact to their work and day-to-day lifestyle. Furthermore, with teams being more dispersed than ever before, clear communication is key to ensure the workforce is aligned and aware of any and all changes that affect individuals as well as the broader team. As everyone has learned over the past few years, change is inevitable - but is more welcome when employees know what to expect. Being fully informed about organizational changes helps alleviate anxiety or concerns. 2. Offer customized or flexible hours. Thanks to today’s advanced technology, employees can truly work from anywhere. Allowing employees to determine their best scheduling solutions helps improve productivity while letting them know your company cares about their well-being. In a 2021 Gartner Digital Worker Experience Survey, 43% of respondents said flex hours helped boost productivity, and nearly one-third (30%) found the reduction in commuting time helped them be more productive at work. To ensure employees remain productive, provide up-todate smarter technology tools and software, like the best laptops and mobile devices for effective collaboration as well as tools that offer edge computing, secure cloud computing capabilities - and sufficient training to guarantee secure connectivity, wherever they’re working. 3. Build positive practices and a healthy culture There’s a reason employees (and prospective employees) care about corporate culture at companies of all sizes - it reflects not only how management views employees, but also makes a real difference in employee well-being. Working toward collective goals within a positive work culture and developing proactive policies around diversity, equity and inclusion will promote a feeling of belonging for all employees, whether they are working parents or not.
4. Work with employees to find creative solutions Rather than thinking of problem-solving as topdown, collaborating with employees to explore creative solutions that can accommodate the schedule of even the busiest working parent not only opens up the possibility for innovation, but also gives your employees more opportunities for personal advocacy and accountability. In fact, those who are more involved in decision-making or discussions related to improving processes and products will often feel more valued by their employer and therefore, more invested in the success of the organization and their role in the company. 5. Be consistent: Ensure new and current employees have the same benefits/opportunities. As business leaders work with working parents to ensure they are set up for success, it’s imperative to ensure the opportunities are consistent between new hires and current employees. If you’re offering a new benefit to attract talent, make sure current employees also have that opportunity. This ensures no one, regardless of if they are a working parent or not, feels excluded from opportunities or options that would be beneficial to their growth, development, well-being or overall success. 6. Lead with empathy. Understanding your employees’ needs and concerns is the first step toward creating an ideal work environment that works for a diverse team of people in various stages of life. Once you’ve allowed employees ample opportunities to discuss their concerns with leadership and work together on identifying a remedy for the challenge, business leaders must take the next step by exploring and implementing creative and practical solutions. “Today’s employees - whether they are working parents or recent graduates - have many priorities outside their careers, but that doesn’t have to be detrimental to their success,” said Eric Yu, senior vice president, Lenovo SMB and Commercial Product Center. “There’s a lot that businesses small and large can do to make a difference and it starts with communication. Understanding and supporting employee needs for personal and family time shows team members they’re valued not only for the results they produce at work but for the people they are outside of work. Businesses small and large can make an impact by listening to what matters most and implementing creative solutions as we adapt to new needs, challenges and advancements in this fast-changing world.”—
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Tackling Climate Change Means Leveraging Beef ’s Benefits Beef is valued for its flavor and nutrition in cuisines worldwide. However, recently you may have heard that eating beef is bad for the environment, so you’re unsure if you should limit consumption. What you may not have heard about are the benefits that beef cattle provide for the planet. Beef is such an ingrained part of American culture, it’s hard for most people to imagine their diet without things like hamburger and steak. Rather than limit consumption to effectively tackle climate change, community leaders can leverage the environmental benefits of beef. The experts at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, point to three different ways cattle contribute to sustainability and help preserve land. Efficient land use. In the face of a growing global population and a changing climate, beef cattle provide necessary protein in a uniquely efficient way. In fact, 90% of what cattle eat is forage and plant leftovers that people can’t eat and would otherwise go to waste.1 Thanks to their unique ability to “upcycle” human-inedible plants into beef, cattle contribute more than three times as much high-quality protein to the U.S. food supply than they consume, directly contributing to food security.2 Another important point to remember is cattle can utilize land that may otherwise be unusable for producing food. Approximately 29% of the land in the U.S. is pasture and rangeland that is too rocky, steep or arid for growing food crops, but it’s perfect for cattle.3,4 Cattle graze and roam in these spaces, foraging for food and getting exercise. Ecosystem support. Beef cattle grazing is a key component of preserving and conserving precious ecosystems, many of which are at risk due to a changing climate and urban development. Cattle grazing provides benefits such as maintaining healthy soil, preventing wildfires and preserving open space for wildlife habitats.5 For example, when beef cattle graze, they fortify the land with moisture and nutrients, making it more resilient to drought, minimizing wasted water runoff, increasing plant growth, reducing the risk of wildfire by removing undergrowth that acts as fuel, and amplifying carbon storage.5,6,7 What’s more, animals and insects like hummingbirds, ducks, butterflies, ladybugs, elk and deer rely on the open land that beef
cattle naturally maintain and protect.5 Without cattle grazing the land, habitats would be permanently destroyed by development, and the consequences for cherished ecosystems would be devastating. Research shows many endangered plants and wildlife depend on the land which cattle graze and maintain across the U.S.5 Carbon storage. Carbon is an important part of soil, helping with water retention and overall quality. Plus, sequestering carbon in soil is critical for buffering against the effects of climate change, as it removes it from the atmosphere and instead stores it underground.8 The good news is that beef cattle help store carbon underground naturally when they graze on the land.9 Most people don’t know that between 10% and 30% of the world’s carbon is stored in U.S. soil, protected by the cattle grazing on that land. If that land was developed, the carbon would be released, plus the land would no longer have the ability to capture additional carbon in the future.8,9,10,11 Studies found that beef cattle grazing on U.S. land is the equivalent of taking almost 6 billion cars off the road every year.12,13 Enjoying beef in your favorite dishes doesn’t have to be contradictory to your love of the planet. Understanding the full picture of beef cattle and the environment helps communities across the country and around the world make smarter, greener choices. Sources: * Broocks et. al. 2017b. Corn as Cattle Feed vs. Human Food. Oklahoma State University. https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/corn-as-cattle-feed-vshuman-food.html * Baber, J.R. et al., 2018. Estimation of human-edible protein conversion efficiency, net protein contribution, and enteric methane production from beef production in the United States. Trans. Anim. Sci. 2(4): 439-450. * Broocks, Ashley et al. 2017a. Carbon Footprint Comparison between Grass- and Grain-finished beef. OSU Extension, AFS-3292. * USDA-ERS. 2021a. Economic Research Service using data from the Major Land Use data series. Available at: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ major-land-uses.aspx * Brunson, MW and L. Huntsinger. 2008. Ranching GetRuralLeaderMag.com | OCTOBER 2022 21
as a Conversation Strategy: Can Old Ranchers Save the New West? Rangeland Ecology & Management 61(2): 137-147.) * Davies et al. 2005. Winter grazing can reduce wildfire size, intensity and behaviour in a shrub-grassland. International Journal of Wildland Fire. https:// owri.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/eoarc/attachments/854_winter_grazing_2015.pdf * Taylor, Charles. 2006. Targeted Grazing to Manage Fire Risk. University of Idaho. Found on: https:// www.webpages.uidaho.edu/rx-grazing/Handbook/ Chapter_12_Targeted_Grazing.pdf * Smith, P. 2012. Soils and climate change. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 4: 539-544. * Silveira, et al. 2012. Carbon sequestration in grazing land ecosystems. University of Florida Extension. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/SS/SS57400.pdf * Schuman, et al. 2002. Soil Carbon dynamics and potential carbon sequestration by rangelands. Environmental Pollution 116: 391-396. https://www. onpasture.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Soilcarbon-dymanics-and-potential-c-seq-by-rangelands.pdf
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* Sanderson, et al. 2020. Cattle, conservation, and carbon in the western Great Plains. Soil and Water Conservation Society 75(1):5A-12A. * Pendall, E., D. Bachelet, R.T. Conant, B. El Masri, L.B. Flanagan, A.K. Knapp, J. Liu, S. Liu and S.M. Schaeffer, 2018: Chapter 10: Grasslands. In Second State of the Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR2): A Sustained Assessment Report [Cavallaro, N., G. Shrestha, R. Birdsey, M.A. Mayes, R.G. Najjar,S.C. Reed, P. Romero-Lankao, and Z. Zhu (eds.)]. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, D.C., pp. 399-427. Using EPA’s GHG Equivalency Calculator and this study for the carbon stocks estimates: Total grassland carbon stocks in the conterminous U.S., estimated to be about 7.4 petagrams of carbon (Pg C) in 2005, are projected to increase to about 8.2 Pg C by 2050. * EPA. 2021a. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2019. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
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Four Wellness Tips to Help You Revamp Your Routine This Fall Autumn is a busy time for families. Between backto-school shopping, sneaking in end-of-summer trips, and getting back on track with your routine, you may find that you don’t have time to prioritize your wellness. However, the changing of the seasons is a reminder that you should review and revamp your routine. To help you build good habits, registered dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick, M.S. has offered the following four nutritional tips that can help you shape your new routine this fall. 1. Out with the old, in with the new. Before you can even consider what a new routine looks like, you must first determine your goals and set yourself up for success. To start, clean your fridge, freezer and pantry of foods that don’t belong in your new routine. For example, get rid of pre-made salad dressing from the pantry and invest in quality olive oils and vinegar. Also, replace high-sugar foods that could inhibit your health for options that are satisfying, without the blood sugar roller coaster. If you’re looking for a sweet treat that you can feel good about, pick up a pack of Quest mini Peanut Butter Cups. These mini peanut butter cups offer 8 grams of protein, less than a gram of sugar and 1 gram of net carbs per serving. Keep some in the pantry and take them on the go for a delicious treat to enjoy anytime during your busy schedule. 2. Embrace the season of the new routine. New routines can occur any time of the year, but the beginning of a new season can jump-start the beginning of a new routine. For example, you can change up your daily nutrition by adding nutrient-dense seasonal foods to your plate.
As your kids return to school, consider adding more pumpkin and cruciferous vegetables or apples to your family meals. Or, if arugula was your summer salad, then kale may be your fall option. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables isn’t just good for you, it can also get you excited about a new routine and help your family celebrate the season ahead. 3. Find your barriers and eliminate them from your new routine. Take some time to uncover what has held you back from healthy habits in the past so you can improve your new routine. Have you struggled with lack of sleep due to poor sleeping habits? Then your new routine can focus on factors associated with getting better quality sleep. This could be as easy as putting the phone down an hour before bed and creating a bedtime routine to get your mind and body ready to sleep. 4. Take your time to get back in the swing of things Changing your diet, exercise schedule and sleep habits overnight can be overwhelming and may discourage you from following your new routine. Instead of making drastic changes to your life, start small and take baby steps. Start by adding one extra vegetable or fruit to your diet every few days or swapping a candy bar for a healthier option such as carrot sticks or nuts instead. If you slip up from time to time, don’t get frustrated or throw in the towel. It took time to develop your old routine, and it will take time to settle into a new one. Embrace the spirit of fall and start incorporating good habits that will last you a lifetime. Using these four tips, you can create a solid foundation for a new, healthier routine this season.—
GetRuralLeaderMag.com | OCTOBER 2022 25
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RuralLeaderMag.com | OCTOBER 2022