About our founder, Jonathan Lawler

Jonathan Lawler is an effective and respected leader in rural outreach and communications. As the founder of Rural Strategies Group, he brings unmatched experience, credibility, and results to clients who need to connect with rural America. His work is rooted in blue collar outreach, speaking directly to the working families, small business owners, and community leaders who are the backbone of rural life. He is also recognized as a crisis intervention expert, called upon to step in when the pressure is highest and the stakes are greatest.
  Jonathan’s career is defined by turning challenges into victories. He has collaborated with major national brands and platforms including Disney Plus, Tyson Foods, RFDTV, CNN, Culver Restaurants, and Mike Rowe. His communications work has been recognized with multiple accolades, including playing a central role in passing the “unpassable” HB 1412 and delivering repeated victories at the county, city, and town levels.
  He restructured an agricultural animal welfare organization, expanding its reach at both local and state levels, and helped change the national conversation on food insecurity by reshaping how fresh food reaches food banks across the country. For this work, Jonathan was recognized on the floor of the United States Senate by Senator Dan Coats and awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award.
  Jonathan is also a nationally recognized agriculture advocate, with hundreds of thousands of followers across social media. His writing, public speaking, and media appearances have established him as a trusted voice on agricultural issues. He is an accomplished agriculture writer, filmmaker, and content creator, blending storytelling with strategy to deliver maximum impact.
  What sets Jonathan apart is his ability to pinpoint weaknesses in the opposition and craft strategies that resonate with target demographics. His experience in animal agriculture, his record of defeating far larger opponents, and his use of data driven approaches give clients a decisive edge. Jonathan is well respected by county leaders across the Midwest and beyond, known not only for his effectiveness but also for his authenticity and likability.
  Jonathan is ultra creative, always working outside the box to find solutions others would never imagine. You will not find him in a suit and tie. You will find him in communities, making fast friends, earning trust, and building lasting relationships. His blue collar approach ensures he connects with people who are often overlooked by traditional consultants, and he is committed to giving rural communities opportunities to embrace alternative energy and technological developments that strengthen both their economies and their futures.
  As one of the few conservative strategists with thorough training in community organizing and counter opposition tactics, Jonathan brings a unique and powerful skill set to every engagement. He has built a team designed to reach across demographics and deliver results in every arena, from grassroots organizing to digital storytelling to high level policy fights.
  Jonathan Lawler is more than a strategist. He is a proven leader whose credibility, national recognition, and unmatched record of success make him the best in the field of rural outreach