Chuck Schroe de r, Executi ve D i rectorApr i l 16 , 2015

Leade rsh ip Summit , Ne br. B ankers As s oc .

The Rural Futures Institute at NU: Impacting Hope

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

The Vision…

The RFI will be an internationally recognized leader for increasing community capacity as well as the confidence of rural people to address their challenges and opportunities, resulting in resilient and sustainable rural futures.

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

UNL

UNO, UNMC

NCTA

UNK

Bold Innovative Collaborative

Transdisciplinary Agile Reflective

A University-wide Institute…

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

The Objective…Build local leaders who envision communities that are vibrant economically, socially, culturally, and Provide a legitimate choice for young adults seeking the BEST place to launch careers, build families, and be active citizens in an environment where they can make a difference.

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

Rural Community Issues…Job Creation (entrepreneurship, small business development)LeadershipYouth EngagementEducationHealthcareNatural Resource Conservation/SustainabilityWorkforce Availability

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

Rural Community Issues…TransportationTelecommunicationImmigrationHousingCommunity InfrastructureLaw EnforcementQuality of Life

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

Research and Engagement ($100,000)Address critical challenges and opportunities “Seed grants” Support transdisciplinary work

Teaching and Engagement ($25,000) Foster civic engagement in both students and

community partnersInvolves students working with communities

The RFI Grant Programs…> Beginning Year 3

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

24 transdisciplinary, community-focused projects under way with RFI Grant Support$1.4M investedCollaboration with: 14 Universities and State Colleges (Community Colleges soon to

be added)13 Nonprofit organizations9 local, state and federal agencies

Involving people in more than 100 communities

Early Impacts…

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

Projects focused on…

7

6

5

4

2

Economic Development

Healthcare

Community Planning and Marketing

Leadershipand Civic Engagement

Justice System

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

A collaboration with the Heartland Center for Leadership Development, UNL Extension, community leaders and RFI

The Pilger Project

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

Regional Rural Forums –Nebraska CityBroken BowScottsbluff

2014 REGIONAL

FORUMS

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

Network of nearly 400 young professionals (ages 21-40) outside Lincoln and Omaha - No officers, no dues – all about connecting, thinking and working together

Theme: you.me.NE.“Encourages self-reflection and realizing what it takes to dig deep and find the true meaning of existence. Then thinking about our neighbors and their needs, and finally, thinking about the collective whole, Nebraska, and those who call it home.”

CYN Summit – 2014 edition held in Kearney, Nov. 7 200+ attendees; 46 communities represented

Website: CYN.nebraska.eduFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngnebraskansTwitter: @YoungNebraskans

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

Here’s what we know . . . There is a strong cohort of young adults – nationally and internationally – looking to locate in smaller communities “. . . where they can make a difference.”It’s about more than a job – it’s about quality of

life for a familyWe have to market our communities

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

Here’s what we know . . . Youth WANT to stay in/return to a small community

2500 Rural Nebraska 7th to 12th graders surveyed –

56% want to live in a rural area in the future71% have never had an adult talk to them about it!

We have to talk to them about opportunities

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

A Couple of Ways the RFI is trying to help . . .

Neligh project“This is my Neligh” videos viewed by inquirers in 49 states and over 30

countries!

Marketing Hometown America project – Nebraska Extension led 8 Rural Communities in Nebraska, South Dakota and North DakotaAn Asset-Based Community Development Approach to Rural New Resident Recruitment

Considering: Nebraska Rural Youth Institute- Collaboration between RFI, NCF, EAEP, NHRI, others

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

National Rural Futures Conference – Oct. 21-

23, 2015

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

An Essential Partnership…

Extension RFI

UNL/IANR Nebraska mission Local community presence

Multi-campus Multi-sector collaboration National/global mission Transdisciplinary grants program

CVI

Extension, RFI and Community Vitality

RuralFutures.nebraska.edu

Hope Inspires Vision…

Thanks for your support as we head down this untraveled road!