Rural audiences remain overlooked in marketing

2026-05-01

Rural America plays a vital role in the nation's economy, producing 87% of the food supply and spanning 63% of US counties, writes Heather Malenshek, senior vice president and CMO at Land O'Lakes, Inc. Nearly 14% of the US population -- around 46 million people -- live in rural areas, and the population has grown steadily since 2021. Despite their economic and cultural significance, rural communities remain largely overlooked in marketing, leaving a massive, engaged audience underrepresented in mainstream narratives, Malenshek writes.

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