The first issue of OJRRP for 2009 focuses on rural sociology.  This is a special edition issue, with six articles being accepted for publication. All of the articles went through the peer-review process.

This special edition issue was overseen by two guest editors: Dr. László J. Kulcsár and Dr. Theresa Selfa.  Dr. Kulcsár is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Kansas State University and the Director of the Kansas Population Center.  Dr. Selfa is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Kansas State University.

Articles in this issue include:

   Metro-nonmetro Economic Growth and Convergence in the Plains States - Rethinking the Rural-Urban Relationship in a Global Economy
            Elgin Mannion, Konstantinos Zougris

   Community Recruitment and Retention of New Residents: A Study Using a Market Assessment Process
            Gibson Nene, Bruce Johnson, Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Randy Cantrell,
            Charlotte Narjes, Rebecca Vogt

   Why Are They Moving Away? Comparing Attachment to Place in the Great Plains to the Rest of the Nation
            Scott Loveridge, Dale Yi, Janet L. Bokemeier

   Tourists' and Residents' Values for Maintaining Working Landscapes of the ‘Old West'
            Lindsey J Ellingson, Andrew F. Seidl

   "You Really Ought to Give Iowa a Try:" Tourism, Community Identity, and the Impact of Popular Culture in Iowa
            Anna Thompson Hajdik

   Feed Sack Fashion in Rural America: A Reflection of Culture
            Kendra Brandes

   (Posted Online on January 28, 2009)