National Initiatives
While each RRDC tailors their research and outreach programming to address particular needs in their respective regions, the four Centers also collaborate on national issues that span regions in the following broad topic areas. Below are select examples of multi-region and national work from the RRDCs' broad portfolio of programming.
Rural Economic Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
National Extension Tourism Network (NET)
The mission of the NET is to support sustainable tourism, thus contributing to the long-term economic development, environmental stewardship, and socio-cultural wellbeing of communities and regions. The RRDCs have a longstanding partnership with NET, and currently are collaborating with and supporting their Outdoor Recreation Working Group and Agritourism Working Group (NEORWG).
Workforce Development, Training and Education
National Digital Extension Education Network (NDEET)
NDEET is a collaborative network of Extension professionals and partners committed to advancing digital knowledge, skills, and innovation. Recognizing Extension's unique role in educating communities about the challenges and opportunities of the digital age, NDEET compiles educational and planning resources to increase broadband awareness, access, and adoption. Through initiatives such as Advancing Digital Access, Digital Skill Building, and the Digital Volunteer Initiative, NDEET empowers communities to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. With broadband infrastructure expanding nationwide, these efforts ensure that individuals not only gain connectivity but also the skills necessary to leverage technology effectively.
Who Will Fill My Shoes: Succession Planning for Land Owners, Farmers, Forest Owners, and Family Businesses
Succession planning encompasses many emotional and financial aspects of a family and business, making decisions and moving forward more difficult. This research-based curriculum with integrated and comprehensive handouts will give participants the confidence they need to learn strategies for moving succession forward with their property or business. Both soft and hard skills are covered in the materials and will empower owners to develop and implement their succession plan. This is a collaboration between the Southern and North Central Rural Development Centers.
Community Development, Planning and Leadership
Rural Livability Project
The rural livability project seeks to increase rural communities' capacity to ensure a high quality of life by providing access to essential services, fostering civic participation, and promoting safety along with economic and environmental well-being. It encompasses factors such as affordable housing, accessible transportation, health and communications infrastructure, and supportive features that enable personal independence and allow residents to age in place, engaging fully in civic, economic, and social life. Our work through a livability lens involves identifying challenges rural areas face, validating frameworks that reflect local realities, and developing strategies that strengthen leadership, assess community strengths and needs, and guide action planning for sustainable community outcomes. These efforts help preserve unique cultural and natural assets, enhance social inclusion and adaptability, and support the long-term vitality of rural communities.
PROPEL Initiative
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), a federal regional commission promoting economic development within an eight-state service region, is partnering with the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) and the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) on this initiative. PROPEL provides targeted support and resources to help communities increase capacity and alleviate challenges on issues such as public infrastructure and business development.
Community Development Extension Library
The Community Development Extension Library serves as a national, open-source, online repository of Extension resources for Community Development (CD) Extension professionals. Through the CD Extension Library, Extension professionals can share programs and resources that support a comprehensive, logical, and theoretically sound community development process and can search the Library for resources to use in their own work. Visit the Community Development Extension Library to explore the resources and please consider submitting a resource to share with others.
National CRED Indicators Team
The National Community Resource and Economic Development (CRED) Indicators Team is a self-directed group of Extension professionals who strive to tell compelling stories at state, local, and national levels about the collective impact of their community and economic development work. Since 2015, this team has hosted webinars to highlight CRED success stories from Extension programs around the nation.
National Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) Community of Practice
Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) is a highly interactive, engaging, and community-based approach that results in evaluation data about program impacts, powerful stories, and re-energized participants. REM combines appreciative inquiry and mind mapping to capture impacts. It was developed to evaluate intensive community development efforts but has been adapted and used for a wide range of programs. We were inspired to launch this Community of Practice because REM is a relatively new and emerging tool. Many who have adopted REM still have questions about implementing it and processes and applications are still evolving. We believe a network of practitioners will help us all learn and share best practices for utilizing REM. The National Ripple Effects Mapping Community of Practice launched on October 28, 2022. Visit the REM web page to learn more!
Special Projects
Baseline Survey - An Open-Access Data Initiative
The Baseline Survey 2024 conducted in the North Central, Southern, Northeast, and Western regions was collaboratively developed by a team of partners from NCRCRD, SRDC, and Auburn University. The survey explores essential topics related to household, business, and community well-being and aims to learn more about the conditions, issues, and challenges faced by rural and urban communities and their residents in each region. The Baseline Survey 2024 open access data is available for the entire United States.
Listening Sessions Initiative on Rural Community, Economic, and Workforce Development
Completed in February 2023, this initiative gathered input from rural development stakeholders to identify the most pressing needs and greatest opportunities for rural communities and small towns across the United States as they recovered from multiple chronic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Regional Rural Development Centers embarked on a process to collect this feedback through a year-long initiative, and shared their findings with USDA NIFA and other federal partners as stakeholder feedback. Learn more about the Listening Sessions process and findings.
To learn about regionally focused work, visit each Center’s website:
North Central | Northeast | South | West
