In 2017 China stopped receiving foreign waste materials creating a major disruption in the status quo of U.S. recycling forcing a reckoning of how waste products are and can be recycled and repurposed. Explore the feasibility of both small- and large-scale solutions for what to do with our plastic waste and how to create circular economy that protects the planet.

Since 1920 Americans living on farms has dropped from 30% to 1% with the number of black farmers plummeting from around a million to only about 50,000. Uncover the challenges facing black and white multigenerational farmers and learn how some farmers are building a more reliable bottom line through regenerative agriculture and rotational grazing.

One out of every seven Virginians pays over 50% of their income in One out of every seven Virginians pays over 50% of their income in housing costs. In 2021, a group of Virginia's Habitat for Humanity housing costs. In 2021, a group of Virginia's Habitat for Humanity affiliates formed the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust, to affiliates formed the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust, to address what chairman Darryl Neher calls a housing market failure. address what chairman Darryl Neher calls a housing market failure. Learn how a community land trust operates and how it can help those Learn how a community land trust operates and how it can help those struggling to find affordable housing in rural Virginia. struggling to find affordable housing in rural Virginia.

The Monacan Indian Nation received federal recognition in 2018, but The Monacan Indian Nation received federal recognition in 2018, but the Monacan people have lived in Virginia for thousands of years. In the Monacan people have lived in Virginia for thousands of years. In the 1920s they were the target of eugenics movements that attempted the 1920s they were the target of eugenics movements that attempted to erase their identity. Today, they number around 2500 members. to erase their identity. Today, they number around 2500 members. Together with tribal governments in eastern Virginia, they are Together with tribal governments in eastern Virginia, they are working to reclaim land and identity that has always been theirs. working to reclaim land and identity that has always been theirs.

As a so-called "nation of immigrants," the U.S. has variously As a so-called "nation of immigrants," the U.S. has variously welcomed and rejected people who come here from other countries. welcomed and rejected people who come here from other countries. Recognizing the value of diversity both in farming and culture, Recognizing the value of diversity both in farming and culture, Virginia State University runs a Small Farm Outreach Program to Virginia State University runs a Small Farm Outreach Program to direct resources, information, and support to people of color. Learn direct resources, information, and support to people of color. Learn how immigrants in rural Virginia succeed as small farm "agricultores". how immigrants in rural Virginia succeed as small farm "agricultores".

In rural parts of America, many residents lack access to high-speed In rural parts of America, many residents lack access to high-speed Internet. Major carriers can't make it cost-effective to serve Internet. Major carriers can't make it cost-effective to serve low-density areas, and government funding for broadband low-density areas, and government funding for broadband infrastructure has been minimal. "Life in the Heart Land" explores infrastructure has been minimal. "Life in the Heart Land" explores how Virginia electric co-ops are bringing broadband to Virginia's how Virginia electric co-ops are bringing broadband to Virginia's rural communities. rural communities.

Today, many rural communities no longer have any local news coverage Today, many rural communities no longer have any local news coverage reported by people they know and trust. 20% of community newspapers reported by people they know and trust. 20% of community newspapers have gone out of business since 2005. When local news reporting dries have gone out of business since 2005. When local news reporting dries up, it has a ripple effect on other aspects of civic engagement, such up, it has a ripple effect on other aspects of civic engagement, such as voter registration. In this episode we visit small local as voter registration. In this episode we visit small local newspapers that have managed to survive. newspapers that have managed to survive.