Rural Development Initiatives

06/19/2026

Looking for a summer adventure that's a little off the beaten path? Head to the legendary Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival in the backcountry of Idaho, July 30–August 1, 2026! This family-friendly celebration brings together live music, harmonica performances, workshops, art, community activities, and the unforgettable spirit of a small mountain town.

From nationally recognized harmonica players and local musicians to harmonica lessons, community meals, a fun run, demonstrations, and a harmonica contest, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The festival began in 1990 and has become a beloved tradition that helps support the local community while celebrating the history and culture of rural Idaho.

If you've never been to Yellow Pine, this is your invitation to discover a rural festival unlike any other.

Where: Yellow Pine, ID
When: July 30 – August 1
Learn more at https://www.yellowpinefestival.org/

06/18/2026

Rural families, providers, and community leaders: your voice matters.

Oregon's Early Childhood Care & Learning Systems Roundtable is gathering input on how to strengthen early learning and care programs using existing resources—and it's critical that rural perspectives are part of the conversation.

The Roundtable is seeking feedback on:
• Access for families
• Workforce support
• Facilities and infrastructure
• Quality assurance and agency operations

Rural communities face unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to childcare and early learning. By sharing your experiences, you can help shape recommendations that will be provided directly to Oregon's Governor.

Survey is open until August 7. Stories and real-world examples from rural communities are powerful tools for advocacy. Take a few minutes to share your perspective and help ensure rural voices are represented in decisions that impact children, families, and providers across Oregon.

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H8GGYZT
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/H7QTTNT

Reach out to Elizabeth Farrar Campbell if you’d like to connect directly and talk about early learning and care challenges in your specific program or community. You can email her at [email protected]

06/17/2026

Aspen Institute has put together a list of rural and native celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community. Check out their blog post here!

A collection of rural, q***r organizations and stories about rural communities and Native nations celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Explore these moments to learn more about how q***r people are celebrated in rural spaces.

06/15/2026

Join the Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days Festival in Cottage Grove, Oregon on July 16–18, for a weekend filled with history, live music, local art, delicious food, family activities, vendors, and community spirit. Held at Coiner Park, this event honors the region's gold and silver mining heritage while bringing neighbors and visitors together for three days of fun and connection.

From the Grand Parade and Miner's Dinner to live entertainment, the Art Show, KidZone, and living history demonstrations, there's something for every age to enjoy.

Rural festivals like this help keep local traditions alive, support small businesses and artists, and remind us why community matters.

Where: Coiner Park, Cottage Grove
When: July 16–18, 2026
Learn more at https://www.spiritofbmd.com/festival

06/12/2026

Experience one of Idaho's most beloved hometown traditions at the Emmett Cherry Festival!

For more than 90 years, the community of Emmett has gathered to celebrate the abundance, heritage, and spirit of Gem County with one of the region's longest-running festivals. Enjoy four days of family-friendly fun featuring a carnival, live entertainment, nightly concerts, a parade, contests, local vendors, delicious food, and plenty of community pride. Best of all, there is no admission fee, making it a celebration everyone can enjoy.

From reconnecting with friends and neighbors to making new summer memories, the Emmett Cherry Festival is a reminder of what makes rural communities so special.

When: June 17 - 20, 2026
Where: Emmett, ID
Pricing: Free

Learn more at https://www.emmettcherryfestival.com/

06/11/2026

Washington rural women leaders, this one's for you!

The Rural Civic Engagement Project is coming to Washington this August! This program is a cohort-based training geared towards rural women leaders who are interested in connecting with other women leaders from across their state, want to learn skills to gain support and increase resources for their community, and have the desire to build their confidence in filling leadership roles. Are you from rural Washington and think you'd be a good fit? Join us next Wednesday, June 17 at 1pm to learn more and apply.

RCEP Info Session for Washington Women Leaders
June 17, 2026
1 - 2pm
Save your spot at https://bit.ly/3SyJZF5

06/10/2026

Over the next couple of weeks, we will highlight summer events taking place across the PNW.

Our first event takes place in Union Gap, Washington in a couple weeks! Travel back in time this Father's Day and experience one of Washington's premier living history events. Explore pioneer camps, watch live Civil War reenactments, meet historical interpreters, enjoy hands-on activities for kids, browse specialty vendors, and discover what life was like on the American frontier. With more than 400 reenactors, historical demonstrations, scavenger hunts, food vendors, and free admission and parking, there's something for every generation to enjoy.

Bring the whole family and make history part of your weekend adventure!
Where: Fullbright Park & the Central Washington Agricultural Museum, Union Gap, WA
When: June 20 – 21, 2026
Pricing: Free Admission & Free Parking
Learn more at https://www.visituniongap.com/old-town-days-union-gap

What's happening in your community this summer? Share it with us in the comments.

06/09/2026

¿Buscas fondos para tu organización, proyecto o comunidad rural?
¡Únete a Preparados, Listos, Subvención!

Esta capacitación gratuita en español está diseñada para personas y organizaciones interesadas en aprender los fundamentos de las subvenciones (grants), fortalecer sus habilidades para obtener financiamiento y desarrollar proyectos exitosos que beneficien a sus comunidades. Registrese: https://airtable.com/appJRxZ5LItJ3Zeoi/pagFM4l9FepB0LSRc/form

Looking for funds for your organization, projects or rural community work? Join us for "Ready, Set, Grant!"

This training is built for rural communities and nonprofits looking to expand their skills accessing grant funding to support programs and community projects. This opportunity is free, facilitated in Spanish, and offered online. Register at https://airtable.com/appJRxZ5LItJ3Zeoi/pagFM4l9FepB0LSRc/form. Learn more at rdiinc.org/ready-set-grant.

06/08/2026

Celebrate Rural this summer!

Across the Pacific Northwest, rural communities are gathering for festivals, fairs, cultural celebrations, rodeos, harvest events, timber celebrations, and community traditions that have connected people for generations.

When you attend a rural event, you're doing more than filling a weekend on your calendar. You're supporting local businesses, community organizations, volunteers, artists, farmers, makers, and families who work year-round to create places where people can gather, celebrate, and belong.

These events tell stories of their region—its history, cultures, industries, landscapes, and people. They are where traditions are passed on, new connections are made, and community pride shines brightest.

This season, consider taking the scenic route. Explore a community you've never visited. Stay a little longer. Shop locally. Meet the people who make these places special. Because when rural communities thrive, our states are stronger.

Where will your next rural adventure take you? Tell us in the comments and find a celebration in your area: https://bit.ly/3RM4uhn

06/05/2026

Capacity doesn't happen by accident. It happens through investment.
If we want resilient communities, we need to invest differently. Funders interested in supporting rural communities, this one is for you:

1. Fund organizations to grow and sustain, not just to deliver. Multi-year general operating support remains one of the most effective ways to build lasting capacity. One-year project grants may fund one year of activity, but they rarely create the stability needed for long-term impact.
2. Fund the connective tissue. Intermediaries, regional hubs, backbone organizations, and collaborative networks are the infrastructure that helps communities navigate complexity, leverage resources, and work across boundaries. Their value should be recognized and funded accordingly.
3. Right-size requirements. Reporting, compliance, and administrative expectations should reflect the realities of the communities and organizations they are intended to serve. If the process itself becomes a barrier, we risk excluding those closest to the work.
4. Invest in rural and culturally grounded organizations as a core strategy—not a special category. The most effective solutions often come from people deeply rooted in the communities they serve. Yet these organizations frequently receive the least flexible and least sufficient funding.

Strong communities depend on strong organizations. Building those organizations requires sustained investment in the people, relationships, systems, and infrastructure that enable long-term impact—not just sufficient resources to meet immediate needs.