Gregory Fulkerson, SUNY Oneonta (fulkergm@oneonta.edu): “Introduction to Urban-Rural Dynamics” Abstract: This presentation will introduce this session that will broadly address the interconnections linking urban privilege to rural exploitation/degradation, while exploring and identifying mechanisms that facilitate urban control over rural futures.
Ann Eisenberg, University of South Carolina (ameisen@law.sc.ed): “Rural Justice” Abstract: This paper provides an alternate narrative of the Trumpian rural America, emphasizing that rural America: (1) was created, not born, largely to serve urban needs; (2) has an overlooked history of progressive activism; (3) becomes the scapegoat for a society-wide bigotry problem; (4) is not synonymous with the “white working class”; and (5) offers an alternative to expensive urban life. The second part articulates a theory of rural justice that is more morally palatable than Trump’s and more nuanced than the current discourse.
Leanne Avery, SUNY Oneonta (Leanne.Avery@oneonta.edu), Liz deNesnera, & Kate McGloughlin: “The Ashokan Reservoir: A Case Study – Views Above and Below the Surface.” Abstract: This paper explores the ways in which the rural and urban can become a contested space of polarization and/or a hybridized or collaborative space, depending on the time and the context. This paper explores a historical case involving the building of the Ashokan Reservoir via eminent domain at the turn of the 20thcentury that pitted rural communities against NYC and in later years, when faced with onset of high volume hydrologic fracking for natural gas, brought urban and rural people together to protect this local resource - one of the major drinking water supplies for NYC.
Tom Gray, USDA (tomgrayrsoc@aol.com): “Tillamook?Monsanto, Arla/Lilly-Elanco: Revisting rBGH with some Gramsci” Abstract: Historically, agricultural cooperatives have been formed — in-part — to oppose local, regional, and national monopoly/monopsony, and oligopoly/oligopsony power. Some have questioned the continued relevancy, and ability of agricultural cooperatives to serve as countervailing agents in the market place. However in a redux perspective on an rBGH controversy, e.g. Monsanto versus Tillamook Dairy Co-operative, Tillamook prevailed in being able to withdraw rBGH use from among its members. This action triggered similar decisions by other dairy firms. These actions were done in spite of Monsanto’s attempts to derail its removal. This paper examines the details of this case.
Aimee Vieira, Norwich University (avieira@norwich.edu): “The Big Hole: Small Town Revitalization in Newport VT after the Jay Peak EB-5 Scandal” Abstract: When the Securities and Exchange Commission closed down the Jay Peak EB-5 program, foreign investor funded development screeched to a halt. In the two years since, a series of small communities stretching south from the border with Quebec have had to confront the failure of externally driven investment. The imagined projects were never based on a sound economic reckoning, and may have been intentionally fraudulent in some cases. After the immediate disappointment, local entrepreneurs and town planners are now seeking new ways of reinvigorating the depressed small city of Newport VT. This paper explores the implications of internal versus external sources of funds and visions in the redevelopment process.
