Can a Farming Community Resist a Development Boom?

The Journal podcast discusses a conflict in Coffee County, Tennessee, sparked by the unexpected death of the pro-growth mayor, Jud Matheny. This event led to a political shift, with residents now divided over whether to embrace development or preserve the county's rural character and farmland. The debate highlights differing views on what it means to be conservative, with some prioritizing land rights and economic growth, while others emphasize tradition and the preservation of agricultural communities. The county has since imposed restrictions on development, leading to further tensions between those who stand to profit from selling their land for development and those who fear the impact of urbanization on their way of life.