Side by Side

About Side by Side

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “side by side” as the state “of existing beside one another” and “of being in the same place, time, or circumstance." What does it mean for rural and urban communities to live side by side? Join University of Minnesota Extension staff as we explore the interdependent relationship of rural and urban spaces and why this necessary and complex relationship matters.

Publisher

University of Minnesota Extension

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Aug 2024

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

41 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   Celebrating Side by Side: An Anthem Awards Finalist!

   The Side by Side podcast has been named a 2026 Anthem Awards Finalist for Best Education, Art, and Culture Podcast! Hosted by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, The Anthem Awards (https://www.anthemawards.com/) recognize purpose- and mission-driven work that creates a positive social impact. See all 2026 Anthem Awards Finalists here (https://celebrate.anthemawards.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=anthem6_currententrant_finalistnotification_101326&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio#/2026/education-art-culture/content-media/non-profit). We are honored to be among these amazing finalists, doing incredible work around the world. Side by Side is also up for a Community Voice Award and the winner is chosen by the public. You can show your support by voting for us here (https://celebrate.anthemawards.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=anthem6_currententrant_finalistnotification_101326&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio#/2026/education-art-culture/content-media/non-profit). Voting is open now through Thursday, Oct. 29. Thanks for listening!

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Dr. Greg Fulkerson traces the history of rural–urban interdependence from ancient times to today

   Ellen talks with SUNY Oneonta sociologist Dr. Greg Fulkerson whose work explores how rural and urban places are not distinct places, but actually a complex adaptive system. He describes how trade has connected rural producers and urban consumers for thousands of years, fueling urban growth while often placing unequal demands on rural communities over tie. He challenges the idea that cities can thrive independently of rural areas and makes the case for stronger, more resilient regional systems that recognize our rural–urban interdependence. Episode Highlights 07:02 Trade Before Cities 13:15 Agrarian vs Urban 24:01 Globalization and Value 25:33 Defining Urban Rural Systems 28:56 Urban Normativity 36:58 Rural-Urban Academia in Silos 40:36 Future Hope and Risks More Information: Dr. Gregory Fulkerson is Professor and Chair at SUNY Oneonta. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from North Carolina State University In 2006. He currently teaches courses in sociology, statistics, community development, and environmental sustainability. His scholarly interests include globalization, rurality, community, agriculture, and the environment. His current research examines rural housing vacancy, health, and community disengagement. He has given several conference presentations and authored several journal articles. Since 2019, he has authored or co-authored books on urban-rural systems, including, most recently, Inequality at the Urban-Rural Nexus, Community in Urban-Rural Systems, following key works in City and Country, Urban Dependency, and Urbanormativity. Books authored/co-authored by Dr. Gregory Fulkerson: City and Country (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/city-and-country-9781793644329/) Community in Urban–Rural Systems (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/community-in-urbanrural-systems-9781666917536/) Critical Rural Theory (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/critical-rural-theory-9780739135600/) Inequality at the Urban–Rural Nexus (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/inequality-at-the-urbanrural-nexus-9781978761919/) Urban Dependency (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/urban-dependency-9781793623096/) Urbanormativity (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/urbanormativity-9781498597029/) Questions, comments, want to get in touch?  Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu.

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Extension Educator Freya Thurmer and Fresh Acres Farm owner Zeke Berg explain how agritourism connects people to agriculture

   Ellen talks with Freya Thurmer, Extension Educator and Zeke Berg, owner of Fresh Acres Farm about agritourism. They discuss agritourism's role in building agricultural literacy and respect for healthy farmland, soil, and water, while also providing family farms with supplemental income. Zeke shares how Fresh Acres Farm's contributions to the local community and Freya shares about Extension's resources for current and future agritourism farms. Episode Highlights: 02:53 What Is Agritourism 04:38 Fresh Acres Origin Story 06:36 Agritourism Then and Now 14:35 Learning on the Farm 17:53 Extension Support Toolkit 24:57 Community Impact 30:59 Fresh Acres Fall Preview Additional Information: https://www.freshacresmn.com/ (https://www.freshacresmn.com/) Fresh Acres Farm 2026 Fall Corn Maze (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z4clzit_ynDo7mH_R2wLRBjQR4MA-qUv/view?usp=drive_link) z.umn.edu/agtourismexchange (http://z.umn.edu/agtourismexchange) https://z.umn.edu/Agritourism (https://z.umn.edu/Agritourism) https://minnesotagrown.com/products/farm-experiences/ (https://minnesotagrown.com/products/farm-experiences/) Questions, comments, want to get in touch?  Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu.

Who has been a guest on Side by Side

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Chris Estes
• Nora Hertel
• Tim Marema
• Camden Blatchley
• David McCullough III

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

4,666,551

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 76 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

95

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

51

Contact Side by Side

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Side by Side