Continuing Education and
Communication Services
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
8/02/01
Contacts:
Paul Lasley, Department of Sociology, (515) 294-0937
Richard Ross, Dean of Agriculture, (515) 294-2518
Steve Padgitt, Extension to Communities, (515) 294-8397
Beth Danowsky, Iowa Department of Economic Development,
(515) 242-4875
Rural Summit Explores How Iowa Communities Are Adapting to New Rural Climate
AMES, Iowa - Rural Iowa is rapidly changing, but few people recognize how communities are responding.
On Aug. 27-28, the Iowa Communities 2010: Harvesting the Vision Rural Summit will focus on how communities are taking charge of their futures in the new rural climate.
Iowa State University, in cooperation with the Iowa Rural Development Council and Iowa Department of Economic Development, will host the meeting, which builds on ideas from the Governor's Strategic Council Report issued earlier this year.
"This summit is about showing how communities can respond positively to the new rural environment," said Richard Ross, dean of ISU's College of Agriculture. "Too often we get caught up in the negative aspects of these changes, but in several communities there have been concerted efforts to take advantage of these changes and chart out a new future. Innovative community development activities under way throughout the state will be showcased at this event."
The Rural Summit will begin at 1 p.m. Aug. 27 with an annual retreat (open to all interested people) of the Iowa Rural Development Council. The afternoon agenda will focus on an update of the Council's Place Competitiveness programs and then turn to group discussions about specific issues facing rural communities.
"The pre-summit activities are designed to provide participants with opportunities to share their concerns and successes," said Paul Lasley, ISU Extension sociologist and co-chair of the planning committee. "Community leaders, volunteers, community development experts and those concerned about the future of the state are invited to share their ideas and discuss their concerns with the council."
A reception with new ISU President Gregory Geoffroy will be held at 5 p.m. with an exhibition on how communities are planning their futures.
On Aug. 28, Geoffroy will speak, followed by a keynote address by Karl Stauber, president of the Northwest Area Foundation and a nationally recognized expert on rural issues. The remainder of the day will be devoted to panel discussions featuring prominent state and local leaders on major community development issues. Themes will include population diversity, telecommunication, biotechnology, culture and tourism, improving wages, strengthening education, protecting natural resources and how to improve responsiveness of local government. The meeting will showcase how communities are addressing these dimensions of rural living.
The Rural Summit will be held in the Scheman Center at ISU. Registration is $75 before Aug. 15 and $100 after that date. For registration materials, contact your local county extension office or call Linda Kennedy, (515) 294-8397. The conference agenda and a registration form are available at the ISU Extension Web site, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/.
Media questions: Brian Meyer, College of Agriculture Communications Service, (515) 294-0706, or Laura Sternweis, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-0775
ml: imajor
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.