JOHNSTON — Iowa PBS has launched a new initiative intended to celebrate the people, culture and stories of rural America by showcasing the diversity, traditions and richness of small town and rural life in Iowa. During this ongoing research project, Iowa PBS will conduct interviews with stakeholders from all across the state that serve rural Iowa as well as partner with local filmmakers and journalists to shine a spotlight on compelling, relevant and authentic stories.
“These stories will be told from the ground-level so viewers get a close-up look at the different ways we all see ourselves as Iowans.” said David Miller, senior producer of the project. “The idea is that the people who are watching will say, ‘That’s me. They’re telling my story.’ or, ‘I just learned something I never realized about what it means to be an Iowan.’”
In addition to these interviews, Iowa PBS is looking for rural residents to share what “home” means, in terms of pride of place, culture, belonging and shared values. These stories will help frame Iowa PBS’s work for future productions and programming decisions by providing a better understanding of rural Iowan’s needs, concerns and accomplishments.
To share a story about you or your community’s greatest hero, victory or struggle, visit iowapbs.org/yourstory or leave a message at 800-373-6306. No story is too big or too small. Stories will be accepted until Nov. 30, 2020.
“Only those who reside in these incredible communities can showcase what it truly means to be part of rural Iowa,” said Director of Programming and Production Justin Beaupre. “We’re hoping to collect stories about the challenges and successes that people in Iowa communities have been experiencing.”
Funding for this project is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for the Coming Home: Connecting to Community grant.
For more information about Iowa PBS, please contact Susan Ramsey at 515-725-9703 or susan.ramsey@iowapbs.org.