Registration for this Years Annual Radically Rural Summit is Now Open!

Tony Pipa, author of the New York Times essay “A Policy Renaissance Is Needed for Rural America to Thrive” will kick things off as our opening keynote speaker, focusing on how small communities need better leverage to tap federal programs and boost sustainability. He’s joined by Gloria Dickerson of Sunflower County, Miss., founder and CEO of We2gether Creating Change. Learn how she has worked to bring the Mississippi Delta from a perceived place of poverty, low skills, and despair to a place of prosperity, abundant skills – and hope. Lakota Vogel, executive director at Four Bands Community Fund, a nonprofit organization that was founded as a part of a community economic development movement on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Discover how she has helped to capitalize Native American-owned businesses on the Reservation.

There’s much more! CONNECT, our annual evening event is at a farm, the perfect setting for networking and talking about the day. Join us for the best of local food, drink, and music. And, once again, plan to attend the Pitchfork Challenge at which six small businesses compete for $10,000 by “pitching” their companies to a panel of judges. It’s a spirited event that will leave you inspired.

Also, take in the Fourth Estate, a presentation by Prof. Jeremiah Ariaz from Louisiana State University. Ariaz spent months traveling through rural Kansas photographing the state of small newspapers.

To build on our theme of “Reimagining Rural” this year, come participate in the Solutions Slam! Radically Rural is always looking for great ideas about how individuals, businesses, and institutions are making small cities and towns more livable. Present your idea in one minute and maybe win $500.

Closing Radically Rural on day two is Chris Estes, the co-executive director of the Aspen Institute Communities Strategy Group (CSG). His current work is centered on the policy and program implications of the Thrive Rural Framework for equitable rural prosperity. Learn how CSG has created equitable rural development by lifting underserved communities, facilitating peer learning, and bringing systemic change to philanthropic and public funding efforts in rural places.

The summit takes place in a scenic region of New England in early fall weather; what could be better? Check out even more at www.radicallyrural.org and please register. Take note of our sliding scale pricing, new this year to provide greater accessibility to all. Our work is better done with the greatest diversity of voices.