The 2024 State of the Science Meeting from the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety brought together several researchers and Extension professionals working at the intersection of agricultural health and safety research, policy, and outreach communication. In this episode, two speakers from the meeting reconvene to share a conversation about innovative rural health initiatives. Dr. Holly Cost, assistant vice president for University Outreach and Public Service at Auburn University, and Dr. Mark Holmes, director of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, explore the challenges and disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural communities, touching on issues like hospital closures, limited specialty services, and the importance of local leadership. They emphasize the need for tailored healthcare solutions to address the unique needs of rural populations.