Board Member Barbara Dilly, of Shellrock, Iowa, was inspired by the Center for Rural Affairs' 50 years and wrote a song. A big thank you to the Root Marm Chicken Farm Jug Band for writing music to go along with these lyrics. The song was performed at the Center's 50-year celebration in September in Hartington, Nebraska. A video will be posted to our YouTube Channel soon.
We Are Rural America!
Where tall grasses grow and wildflowers bloom
And the majestic bald eagles fly.
Over our land and its spacious room,
As we dance beneath a clear blue sky.
First Nations lift our voices and sing.
We Are Rural America!
Where proud European settlers came
To build homes and towns and work the land.
With faith and courage, we made a good name.
Here our communities proudly stand.
Now let our grateful voices ring.
We Are Rural America!
Where new immigrants now come to labor
Families work to make a new life.
It’s here we’ve come to be a good neighbor.
And here we seek to overcome strife.
Now here we joyfully dance and we sing.
We Are Rural America!
Our many voices now come together
Here at the Center for Rural Affairs.
Fifty proud years of good and bad weather
Standing strong for everyone’s cares.
Here we all join together and sing.
We Are Rural America!
Working to protect our soils and waters.
For communities and farms we fight.
A future for our sons and daughters
As we seek to be a guiding light.
Until all America hears us sing.
We Are Rural America!
Written by Barbara J. Dilly 2023
