About Us

Held every year in September, the Rural Institute has become the pre-eminent conference of its kind in Nebraska. Focused entirely on rural development issues, the Institute brings together providers, practitioners, researchers, and community activists to network, share, discuss and learn about rural issues, opportunities, challenges, and solutions.

"The Rural Institute is the place to acquire the latest information on topics that impact your community. Why do I attend? I appreciate the opportunity to choose between in-depth sessions and introductory information. The mobile tours are also a great place to see community ideas put into action. There is never any down time because the mix of participants allows for a very positive networking environment (from community lay leaders to statewide professionals in rural development). I always leave with something new from the Institute." --- Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, UNL Panhandle Research & Extension Center in Scottsbluff.

"It's a very compact delivery of a lot of information. All of the sessions are very pertinent to economic development. Another huge benefit is networking with people all over the state. (The conference) also gives you the chance to get out on the mobile tours and get hands-on experience." ---Suzie Baird, Box Butte Development Corporation in Alliance.

"As a LEAD Fellow, I would encourage other LEAD Alumni to participate in the Nebraska Rural Institute. For one thing, the Institute brings together people from across Nebraska with an interest in rural communities. The Institute can also open up the doors for new partnerships and new ideas that can be brought back home. I look forward to the Rural Institute each year as a way to keep up with what is happening in agriculture, community development and technology in Nebraska. I've taken home a lot of good things from the Nebraska Rural Institute." ---Dennis Kahl, Seward County Extension.