2 | Justin Fitzpatrick: The Hidden Link Between Healthcare Jobs and Farming in Small-Town America

In this episode, Ryan Armstrong sits down with longtime friend Justin Fitzpatrick to dive into the unseen connection between rural healthcare and agriculture. Justin, who helps thousands of graduates from an online medical school find jobs — including remote positions in some of the smallest towns in America — shares how technology and shifting workforce demands are changing the game for rural families. Meanwhile, Ryan unpacks the pressures farmers face, from soaring equipment costs to the surprising reality that 84% rely on off-farm income just to make ends meet.

Their conversation isn’t just about policy and economics — it's about real people. From Justin’s “city boy turned horse rancher” family roots to Ryan’s reflections on canning, food quality, and getting to know your local farmer, they go beyond statistics and address the everyday choices that connect us all to our food (and the people behind it). They also touch on mental health, the looming shortage of healthcare workers, and why these issues matter for every community.

Highlights:

• How work-from-home healthcare jobs are transforming rural economies
• The hidden crisis facing agriculture and healthcare in the next decade
• Practical ways to get involved in your local food system, from markets to home gardens
• Personal stories about adapting from the city to rural life — and back again

Quotable Moments:

“Technology has allowed for the capacity to place people in jobs remotely that weren’t available to them before.” — Justin Fitzpatrick

“84% of farmers in the US have jobs off the farm to make ends meet.” — Ryan Armstrong

“Our industries support every person…and are both on a trajectory that is not positive in the next 10 years.” — Justin Fitzpatrick

Resources:

• Florida Farm List
• Georgia Grown
• Fresh from Florida
• Community Cannery Locations
• Florida Young Farmer and Rancher Resources
• Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers

Questions or guest ideas?
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