'Regenerating Rural'

Discover the heartbeat of America's future in rural landscapes — not just a lifestyle but a profound investment. Beyond serene vistas lies a world of resilience, innovation and vibrant community spirit, where connection to the land drives sustainable practices. This year's Radically Rural summit is set for Sept. 25 and 26 in Keene. From its roots in 2018, this event, born from a collaboration between the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship and The Keene Sentinel, has blossomed into a pivotal gathering. Here, rural leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators converge to ignite discussions and forge partnerships that shape the vitality and sustainability of communities nationwide. The annual summit transforms Keene's downtown into a vibrant conference center. Various local venues host sessions and events, providing an immersive experience that highlights the community's unique character. More than 500 participants will have the chance again this year to engage in meaningful discussions, hands-on workshops and collaborative activities designed to inspire and empower. The theme for this year's event, "Regenerate Rural," focuses on the revitalization and sustainable development of rural communities. This theme emphasizes the need to breathe new life into rural areas by leveraging local resources, fostering innovation and promoting resilience. "Regenerate Rural" highlights the importance of reconnecting communities with their inherent strengths, such as agriculture, arts and local entrepreneurship, while also embracing modern solutions like renewable energy and digital connectivity. "Regeneration isn't just about coming up with something that's never been done," says Radically Rural Director Julianna Dodson. "It's also looking back to what worked before and what needs to be brought back to life now." By addressing economic, social and environmental aspects, the summit aims to create a comprehensive blueprint for the future that ensures rural communities not only survive but also thrive. The event will feature seven program tracks, each designed to address contemporary challenges and innovative solutions specific to rural areas. Attendees can look forward to a compelling and timely keynote at this year's summit: "Regenerating Rural by Reweaving Our Frayed Social Fabric." Megan Helberg, English teacher and Nebraska Community Foundation leader, will be joined by Frederick Riley of the Aspen Institute, along with rural visionaries Fatuma Emmad and LB Prevette, as they unveil strategies to rejuvenate food systems, champion inclusivity and ignite community pride. These local heroes illustrate how grassroots efforts can forge bonds, tackle challenges and spark transformative change. Program tracks and sessions Clean energy sessions will focus on the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on rural communities, which heavily rely on agriculture and tourism. Highlights include a toolkit for implementing the Inflation Reduction Act presented by a U.S. Department of Energy member (to be announced), and a discussion on clean energy innovations and transitions in collaboration with the Irving Institute for Energy and Society at Dartmouth College. Arts and culture sessions will highlight the arts' role in reflecting our heritage, current realities and future possibilities, fostering social growth and driving economic development through tourism and local spending. Community leaders will discuss strategies for sustaining rural arts spaces, covering topics like social practice art and the design of artist spaces. Participants can engage in hands-on activities like quilt block-making with the Cheshire Quilters Guild and learn from artists Paula Frisch and Craig Stockwell about the transformative power of the arts in rural communities. Entrepreneurship sessions will focus on starting and scaling businesses in rural areas, covering topics such as access to capital, building business ecosystems and leveraging local resources. Attendees can discuss strategies for regenerating rural economies through entrepreneur-led development. Highlights include learning how new business sectors, like biotech, can drive rural economic growth. Additionally, participants can explore youth entrepreneurship with Corey Mohn, executive director of the CAPS Network, which fosters an entrepreneurial mindset in future generations through interactive learning and business partnerships. Sara Powell, one of the organizers of the entrepreneurship track, says, "We want to encourage thinking around what could a community do to support youth entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial mindset in general." The community journalism track will address the challenges of local news reporting, the importance of storytelling and strategies for sustaining local media outlets and, therefore, democracy. Journalism sessions include "I Can Help with That," where industry leaders provide tools for achieving a sustainable future, and "Defending Democracy," featuring rural newsroom leaders who share tips for upholding civic values during elections. This track is aimed at journalists, community leaders, policymakers and government officials alike. The Main Street track will explore the revitalization of rural downtown areas, covering best practices for development, creating vibrant public spaces and attracting businesses and visitors. Session highlights include discussions on innovations in rural transit. The Land and Community track will delve into sustainable management practices for agricultural and forest lands, innovative farming techniques and critical discussions on land conservation. Rural livelihoods, deeply intertwined with their surrounding landscapes, face increasing challenges from the climate crisis. Young farmers won't want to miss "Supporting the Next Generation of Rural Farmers," moderated by Nicole Civita, network weaver and creative collaboration director at EcoGather. The session offers essential tools for young farmers seeking land access. The "All In for Health" track sessions will emphasize the role of community health in fostering vibrant and sustainable living environments. Attendees, including community organizers, leaders, entrepreneurs, activists and health-care professionals, will explore how prioritizing health enhances community appeal, supports local economies and fosters intergenerational well-being. For example, "Closing the Know-Do Gap," featuring Marc Brackett from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, will empower participants with tools to enhance emotional intelligence and well-being in rural settings. There's more Radically Rural is also slated to feature other special events designed to foster innovation and community engagement. The CONNECT event, a cornerstone of the summit, facilitates networking and idea exchange among attendees, forging collaborations that drive rural innovation. Last year's networking event was held at Stonewall Farm in Keene. Additionally, the summit hosts the annual Solutions Slam, inviting individuals to share impactful initiatives during the morning keynote session on the second day of the summit, Sept. 26. Participants have one minute to showcase their ideas, with the audience voting on the best solution for the $500 prize. Signup to participate in this event occurs on Sept. 25. Rural communities are laboratories for innovative solutions to global challenges, from sustainable agriculture to renewable energy. By championing rural spaces, Radically Rural seeks to fortify the foundation upon which the nation thrives. The 2024 summit promises to be an enriching experience, offering valuable insights, practical strategies and a supportive network for those dedicated to the future of rural communities. As Main Street track leader J.B. Mack, assistant director of the Southwest Region Planning Commission, says, "This event celebrates why rural living is a good choice, why people do it, and how people can tap into connections and opportunities to find meaning in their unique rural lives." For more details, visit the official Radically Rural website at radicallyrural.org.