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About
September 26th, 2008
ReImagineRural.com is a blog for rural residents who want to be a part of building a new future for their communities. It’s no secret that most rural communities have struggled in recent decades with outmigration, poverty, and general decline. We belive this downward slide can be turned around by the people who take time to reimagine and work towards a different future.
A movement of change is rolling across the rural landscape as many communities pioneer a new future. Rural communities are coming alive with big ideas and people are connecting to each other and to the world of opportunity.
We hope to be a part of these connections. In fact, we hope that by sharing ideas on this blog, we will inspire rural residents to “reimagine” their communities and become a part of this changing rural landscape.
Over time, we will build within this site:
- A storehouse of useful articles describing how people can “ReImagine” and build a new future for their community.
- A collection of podcast recordings from people who’ve been successful at building vibrant rural communities.
- Opportunities to share what you’ve learned about your rural community and others.
- What you won’t find here is an expert who knows all the answers. We believe those answers lie within you and the people in your community.
ReImagine Rural’s Sponsor
The ReImagine Rural blog is brought to you by Rural Transformations, Inc. (RTI). RTI was created as a joint enterprise between the Rural Learning Center (RLC) located in Howard, SD and TrueFarmer, Inc. (TFI), a South Dakota subsidiary of As It Is, Inc (Ai3) located in Buffalo, NY. RTI’s development is an outgrowth of the RLC’s desire to develop and market new learning and community development practices and Ai3’s interest in augmenting these practices through the integration of its virtual synthetic intelligence technologies in rural communities. TFI is focused on the Ag(ricultural) aspects and RTI on the ReCulturing aspects in AgReCulturing the WORLD. To this end RTI staff are also engaged as consultants with the RLC in communities across the region conducting rural economic development/community revitalization activities. It is from this community work that the concept of “social satisfaction” as an economic development strategy was developed by the visionaries behind the RLC.
Who is Mike Knutson?
And with RTI the sponsor, I (Mike Knutson), CEO of RTI, am the host. I come to the field of rural community development, not as an expert, but as a rural resident with a passion for the future of his community, Howard, SD. For six years, I served as the economic development and housing director for Miner County Community Revitalization, and although I’ve taken on a new role leading the Rural Transformations, Inc. venture, I still love rural places. And this blog is one way that I can continue to be a part of building a reimaged future for Rural America.
Contact
Mike Knutson coordinates the ReImagine Rural Blog and can be contacted at:
Address
109 N. Main Street
PO Box 10
Howard, SD 57349
Phone: (605) 772-5153
Fax: (605)-772-5185
January 20th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
I love your site and the useful information found here. Keep on keepin’ on.
February 5th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
The girth of the available information is wonderful. Your site is a great testament that rural development has not been forgotten or cast aside. I work at a North Dakota Center of Excellence, the Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and hope to be added to you blogroll as many of our activities and mission overlap. Stay in touch and thank you for your efforts!
January 15th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Hi Mike,
I’m interested in how your organization helps rural communities interested in tourism? What kinds of programs for helping them develop their tourism resources are available in your state?
January 16th, 2010 at 5:42 am
At present, the RLC does not have an effort focused on tourism. In SD, many of the resources rest with the regional tourism associations that blanket the state. Back when I worked as the economic development coordinator in Miner County, I served on the SE South Dakota Tourism Association board. Over the past couple years, I’ve been very impressed with the Kansas Sampler Foundation’s work as well as Becky McCray’s efforts. I discovered your blog about a month ago and have begun following it. Rural tourism businesses can learn much from what all of you have to share.
January 31st, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Hey Mike,
Cool site. I’m involved in a Transition Towns movement in Chapel Hill, NC. If you’re not familiar with the idea, it sounds right on target with the things you’re into… localism, creative reinvention of community, etc.
Please contact me if you care to, good luck with your blog
peace,
– e.m.fields
chapel hill nc
January 31st, 2010 at 3:15 pm
e.m.fields,
Thanks for sharnig the contact info. I was not aware of your efforts, but appreciate much of what you are working. Keep it up.