The Rural Livability Project

News and Updates

A group of rural community members attend a concert in a park. The stage is covered in a partial dome.
Media Mention: Livability as an Evolving Strategy for Economic Development
Mckenzie Boyce and Steven Deller were recently featured in a department article outlining how research from Ag and Applied Economics at UW-Madison are changing the…
Opening slide for a presentation titled The Impact of Housing Financial Stress on Community Well-Being, presented Oct 8, 2025
In the Community: Badger State Housing Alliance
Erin Gaede presented research on the impact of housing financial stress on community well-being for the “Curds of Wisdom” talk series. Watch it here!
Landscape of a rural town pockmarked with trees beneath a dramatic sky with a pastel orange sunset along the horizon.
New Publication: Linking Agriculture and the Nonfarm Rural Economies
In new research featured in Choices Magazine, Mckenzie Boyce and Steven Deller find “viable farms depend on healthy, diversified rural economies.” Read more about how…
headshot for Danielle Schmidt-Larios, Research Assistant at the Rural Livability Project
Award: Rural Sociological Society awards “Prosperity Across the United States” the Ron Wimberly Award
At their annual meeting in Salt Lake City, the Rural Sociological Society awarded the Ron Wimberly Graduate Student Paper Award to Danielle Schmidt for “Prosperity…
Illustrated graphic of a black and white woman yelling into an old-fashioned telephone
Media Mention: Up North News
Up North News spotlights our article in The Daily Yonder: “Rural Wisconsinites are facing a dangerous choice: housing or health”
Illustrated graphic of a black and white woman yelling into an old-fashioned telephone
New Publication: “Rising Housing Costs Hinder Community Well-Being” in The Daily Yonder
Erin Gaede, Tessa Conroy and Steven Deller wrote an article for The Daily Yonder highlighting the impact of housing costs on community well-being in Wisconsin…
A dramatic upward angle of a House with a Now Renting sign above a window.
Media Mention: Wisconsin Workforce Housing
Wisconsin Workforce Housing featured Erin Gaede, Tessa Conroy, and Steven Deller’s work on housing stress and health.
The Rural Livability Project logo
Media Mention: Erin Gaede and Tessa Conroy quoted in The Badger Herald
Erin Gaede and Tessa Conroy featured their work with Steven Deller on rising housing costs and delayed medical care. In an interview with Anna Kristoff,…
map of Wisconsin showing the GDP per county
Media Mention: Superior Telegram
Superior Telegram featured Steven Deller and Mckenzie Boyce’s work on labor shortages.
A red sign in a window read "HELP WANTED" in large white text.
Media Mention: Urban Milwaukee
Urban Milwaukee featured Steven Deller and Mckenzie Boyce’s work on labor shortages.
photo of a factory floor with two workers in blue polos at machines
Media Mention: Steven Deller and Mckenzie Boyce quoted in WPR
New research on labor shortages from Steven Deller and Mckenzie Boyce was featured in WPR. In the article, Deller is quoted noting that many Wisconsin…
headshot for Erin Keney, Research Assistant with the Rural Livability Project
New Team Member: Welcome Erin Kenney!
The Rural Livability Project enthusiastically welcomes Erin Kenney to the team! Erin brings interests in local government and public services. On the Project, Erin will…
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