Kentucky Project Bridges Urban-Rural Divide Through Climate Action

In a politically divided state, an unexpected alliance is forming. The Kentucky Climate Action Coalition pairs urban residents from Louisville with rural farmers from Appalachian counties to work on climate projects together.

Participants spend weekends on each other's turf: city folks help with sustainable farming practices; rural residents visit urban community gardens and renewable energy installations. The shared work builds relationships that transcend political divides.

“The Kentucky Climate Action Coalition pairs urban residents from Louisville with rural farmers from Appalachian counties to work on climate projects together.”

"We realized we're all worried about the same things — clean water, good jobs, our kids' futures," says farmer James Cornett. "The labels we put on each other just got in the way." The program has spawned 15 joint projects, from community solar installations to regenerative farming cooperatives. Other states are now replicating the model.