Idaho Rural Partnership

04/19/2026

Excited to announce registration and updates on the 2026 Western Community Development Institute, or CDI West. Long known as the Northwest CDI, the event is now hosted and administered by the Western Rural Development Center in partnership with our friends at Commerce and Business Oregon.

SAVE THE DATE!
July 20-24, at the Riverside Hotel Boise.

More information at:

July 20-24, 2026 Community Development Institute West Empowering People, Strengthening Communities. The Riverside Hotel, Garden City, Idaho 5-Day immersive Program 3.5 CEUs Per Year Register Now $625 Registration Fee – Closes July 10, 2026 About CDI WestWho Is This For?Program & CurriculumRegistra...

04/19/2026

Sad to learn of the recent passing of long-time IRP Board Member Pat Barclay. She was always committed to rural development and productive conversations when we served together, and I remember some spirited—but always good-natured—discussions over the years. My thoughts go out to her family and friends.

Pat Barclay passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026. Born Patricia Anne Pusl on Jan. 19, 1946, in Igloo, S.D., she was the eldest child of Betty Jean and Jerome Pusl.

03/12/2026

Tough news from the statehouse. Proposed across the board cuts will have a disproportionate impact on rural Idaho.

Senate Bill 1331, the 2026 Idaho budget rescission act, reduces overall state funding by $193 million this year -- about 4% for all agencies.

01/24/2025

I'm excited to announce that I've taken a part-time position working with a talented and creative team at the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) housed at the University of Idaho Boise Water Center in Boise. The WRDC covers all U.S. states and territories in the West.

WRDC is hiring an Executive Assistant. If you or someone you know has what it takes, please share this ASAP. We're looking for someone with strong communication and organizational and skills to keep the trains running on time and support a small team of research and policy professionals. The Water Center is located on Broadway and Front; it's a great work environment and opportunity for the right applicant.

The original application deadline has been extended to January 31. The position description and application details are available at

This position performs complex support duties for an administrator with a high degree of professionalism and adherence to strict confidentiality standards. Responsibilities include performing specialized administrative support including scheduling and coordinating meetings and appointments; making t...

10/08/2024

Hi All - Check out this webinar on using AI for grantwritting.

This dove into how AI can streamline the grantwriting process, improve the quality and competitiveness of applications, and free up valuable time for staff to focus on strategic planning and community engagement.

09/27/2024

Looking for resources for trails and other outdoor recreation projects? Check out this free webinar, Community Capital Alternatives for Outdoor Recreation Challenges, takeing place on October 3rd.

Connecting and transforming communities through the power of trails.

09/14/2024

Since this issue will be on Idaho's ballot in November as Prop 1, here's an opportunity to see how and why Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) were adopted in Alaska, and the impact on elections there. Free to view for a limited time.

Only 8% of U.S. voters selected 83% of congressional representatives in the most recent election. In Idaho, the estimate is that only 20% of voters turn out in the primaries, meaning candidates can be elected with only 11% of voters, a far cry from even a simple majority of 50% + 1.

Note. They feature a few minutes on Idaho at 1:03:05

From the film notes:
"With America’s democratic experiment mired in division and dysfunction, the state of Alaska votes to revolutionize their election system.

The surprising results spark new alliances, a growing call for election reform, and fierce pushback from political parties.

Could changing how Americans vote also change politics for the better?"

https://represent.us/majority-rules/?link_id=0&can_id=495bfdf3934c75a36bf7d76220cc99af&source=email-watch-for-free-majority-rules-film&email_referrer=email_2452261&email_subject=watch-for-free-majority-rules-film&fbclid=IwY2xjawFSaNpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWF5OWt8ZzhzdR7fvJjDUYVtmdzEz0v0vJP52ZyfhDOLXi5ZXKgqcZVe6A_aem_laI3Tqf4vmIZkGBLUC99sw

Watch the full length documentary Majority Rules.

07/17/2024

USDA has put out this free publication Bright Ideas: Federal Resources to Boost Energy Efficiency in Rural America. It contains useful information about funding opportunities for energy projects. Click on the link below to check out this resource.

06/19/2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-kit/id1461493560?i=1000658666409

‎Show Life Kit, Ep How to save a life with CPR - Jun 13, 2024

05/01/2024

We are at the Idaho Rural Success Summit where co-chair Kelley Packer is providing an update on some of the new changes coming to IRP.