Brian Depew directs the Rural Organizing & Outreach Program at the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Nebraska where he works to influence state and federal legislation to strengthen rural communities and family farm agriculture.

In 2005, Brian established The Rural Populist, one of the first blogs on agricultural and rural issues. Today his writing can be found at The Rural Populist, the Blog for Rural America and in occasional other publications.

Brian was a candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in 2002. At 21, he was the youngest candidate ever to seek state-wide office. As the Green Party nominee for the seat, he campaigned on a platform of local control for large scale livestock operations, local foods and renewed rural communities.

Brian has a Master's in Philosophy from Colorado State University and an undergraduate degree from Simpson College with majors in philosophy and environmental science. He also studied rural sociology at Michigan State University.

Brian has experience in campaign organizing including directing the field efforts for the presidential campaign of Representative Dennis Kucinich in the spring and summer of 2003 and managing the campaign of John Kefalas for the Colorado State House in 2004. In graduate school, he also served as the president of his local graduate employees union.

Brian grew up on a family farm in rural Northwest Iowa. He was active in the operation of the farm when he was in high school and college, including raising pigs for Niman Ranch.

Contact Brian at depewbri gmail com.

A file photo for Brian Depew is here.

Around the Web
The Rural Populist
Brian Depew at Flickr
Center for Rural Affairs
Blog for Rural America