August 09, 2002

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska's rural community leaders will gather to share ideas, develop new skills and network with peers at the seventh Nebraska Rural Institute, Creating the Future: Leading and Growing Your Community, Sept.17-19 in Gering.

The conference features educational workshops and tours for economic and community developers, local government officials, Cooperative Extension educators, volunteers and other rural community leaders or anyone with interest in rural development, said Charlotte Narjes, project coordinator at the University of Nebraska's Center for Applied Rural Innovation.

"(Participants) are going to develop new skills and knowledge," Narjes said. "I think as we have more limited financial resources it's even more important that we work together."

The Rural Institute combines useful information with first-hand experience, said Susie Baird, executive director of the Box Butte Development Corporation in Alliance.

"It's a very compact delivery of a lot of information," Baird said. "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."

Three mobile workshops will focus on rural community economics. Participants will see agriculture, history, tourism and community development across the Nebraska Panhandle.

"It's good to see actual projects and learn how the communities facilitate them and the challenges they've had in doing things," Narjes said. "By learning from others they also can help their own communities."

Complete conference registration is $200 before Sept. 4 and $275 after. One-day rates are available. Sept. 17 and 19 registration is $70 before Sept. 4 and $85 after. Sept. 18 registration is $100 before Sept. 4 and $130 after. Discounted student rates are available. Meals are included and extra meals for spouses or guests can be purchased.

Full or partial scholarships are available. For more information, visit the center's Web site at Nebraska Rural Institute or contact Narjes at (402)472-1724, Cheryl Burkart-Kriesel at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottbluff at (308)632-1230, or Connie Hancock at the Cheyenne County Cooperative Extension office at (308)254-4455.

A block of rooms is reserved at the Microtel Inn and Suites in Gering. Call (308)436-1950 or fax (308)436-1951 by Sept. 7.

The Rural Institute is sponsored by the Partnership for Rural Nebraska and the Nebraska Development Network Panhandle Region. Co-sponsors include Nebraska Public Power District and the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. The Partnership for Rural Nebraska is a cooperative commitment to address rural opportunities and challenges by the State of Nebraska, University of Nebraska, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Commission and the Nebraska Development Network.

8/9/02-SH

Charlotte Narjes
Center for Applied Rural Innovation
Project Coordinator
(402) 472-1724

Sandi Alswager Karstens
IANR News and Photography
(402) 472-3030

Department: Center for Applied Rural Innovation