As the community development division of Nebraska Extension, Rural Prosperity Nebraska Extension educators have been teaming up with Nebraskans since 2018 to help rural communities thri We believe that for America to truly thrive, our rural residents and communities must thrive. We’ve learned that growing and sustaining a vibrant rural sector takes:
– Future-focused leadership and entrepreneurship
– Social as well as technological capital and connectedness
– The wise use of natural, agricultural and cultural resources
– Rich collaborations
As we strive for a thriving high-touch, high-tech future for rural people and places, we have determined that the central point of innovation for the highly complex nature of rural communities is where students, faculty and communities connect. It is important to note that “students” refers to learners from secondary through adulthood; “faculty” refers to those within the University of Nebraska and beyond; and “communities” are not just localities, but also networked groups of people and communities of practice. In our work we intentionally connect students, faculty and communities to stimulate discovery and innovation. We also stimulate research and apply future-focused ideas and evidence-based practices designed to grow the body of knowledge. Finally, but importantly, we share stories of successes and solutions from scholars, leaders, entrepreneurs and funders to elevate the value and voice of rural nationwide.
