CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
ENERGIZE ! EXPLORING INNOVATIVE RURAL COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE 605 tries photos by john snyder written by maddilynn kallsen
Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference was inspired by a similar conference in Nebraska— Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference —both aiming to empower small communities with ideas to uplift their towns. “We enjoyed the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a rural community throughout the conference, and we left feeling so energized and renewed,” said Peggy Schlechter , South Dakota State University ( SDSU ) extension community vitality program director. “On the trip home we said we needed to have a conference in
that format in South Dakota, and the idea for Energize! was born.”
Kara Harders , SDSU extension community vitality field specialist, explained how the conference empowers small communities to unite and solve issues with solutions proven to work. “The purpose is idea sharing, networking, and to be energized,” said Harders. “Every small town or smaller community has its own flavor, and they all have their own unique issues, challenges, abilities, and advantages.”
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