Originally Published as: Mud on My Boots
I didn’t come to Rural Builder through a glass office door. I went through a gate that sticks in winter and swings too fast in summer. If you’ve ever tried to carry a notebook, a phone, a camera, and bad coffee while dodging livestock with opinions or a dog with ambition, we already speak the same language.
I’m Kathleen Riley, your new editor.
My background lies where agriculture, animals, and buildings intersect. I’ve spent decades around barns, arenas, kennels, and farmyards, learning that good construction isn’t about theory—it’s about whether the roof holds, the doors open in bad weather, and the building does its job without complaint.
I’ve edited multiple dog and equine publications, and I’m an award-winning photographer, artist, and writer, trained to notice the details that matter: structure, function, and the quiet strength of things built right. I also bring a solid background in sales and marketing, translating technical expertise into clear, honest messaging that respects both builders and budgets.
My goal is simple: make Rural Builder practical, relevant, and grounded in real-world experience. No fluff. No hype. Just solid information for the people who build rural America.
I welcome your ideas, insights, and hard-earned lessons. This magazine works best as a conversation—straightforward, practical, and built with both boots on the ground.
— Kathleen Riley,
Editor, Rural Builder
