Both farmers and church officials say the blame lies with agribusiness giants who are pushing family farms out of business. Farmers say the large corporations are dictating production and squeezing competition, leaving farmers few places to sell their crops. Heffernan has had the same problem on her family's wheat farm. Mo. Church leaders say as families begin to feel the financial squeeze, so do churches. Families forced off their farms leave the community and take with them offerings, time and talent.
Local businesses suffer and, bit by bit, the tightknit fabric of community begins to fray.
Although few churches have had to close because of the crisis, pastors say their resources are stretched. People come looking to the churches for food pantries, counseling and general assistance. We have lists and lists and lists. In Catholic churches, Andrews said the situation is worsened by an already shrinking pool of priests who are available to minister in rural parishes. And in Protestant churches, Andrews said, recent seminary graduates are hesitant to take rural assignments, and many rural churches do not want female clergy.