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 believe 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.   ReImagine Rural is brought to you by the Rural Learning Center based out of Howard, SD.  The Rural Learning Center is dedicated to the idea that rural communities need to think and act differently about their futures, something we've come to call "reimagining."    What we've done in rural places for the last 50 years hasn't worked.  It's time we build a new vision, and try new strategies to create new futures. And with Rural Learning Center as the sponsor, I (Mike Knutson) am the host. I came 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.   During that time, I developed a deep connection  to the community of Howard and a love of rural places.  And although life has taken me away from the everyday life of Howard, this blog is one way that I can continue to be a part of developing a new future for Rural America. Contact Mike Knutson can be reached at - mike at ruraltransformations dot com.

Address 109 N. Main Street PO Box 10 Howard, SD 57349 Phone: (605) 772-5153 Fax: (605)-772-5185

Comments (9)

9 Responses to “About”

  1. Casey Francis Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 11:23 pm

    I love your site and the useful information found here. Keep on keepin’ on.

  2. Amanda Lynn Moser Says:
    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!

  3. Joanne Steele Says:
    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?

  4. Mike Knutson Says:
    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.

  5. e.m.fields Says:
    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

  6. Mike Knutson Says:
    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.

  7. Josh Biggley Says:
    March 18th, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    Mike:

    Great site – love the content and message. What about a twitter presence? Do you have one and do you publish to it when you put something new up on the blog?

  8. Mike Knutson Says:
    March 18th, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    Josh,
    I haven’t made it very easy for you to connect have I? I do spend a little time on Twitter (@Michael_Knutson), and the RLC has an account as well (@rurallearning). On occassion I’ll tweet a link to a post I write, but I’ve got to think it’s pretty special to do that. More than anything I use Twitter as a learning tool and try to share some of the good resources that I discover there. How about you? I see you have an account?

  9. Josh Biggley Says:
    March 18th, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    Mike, consider yourself followed! Twitter is all about building online connections that I can then develop offline. When I moved from Ontario to Prince Edward Island (Canada) I had to build entirely new social networks. Determining who the players were, people with common interests, and people who I wanted to connect with socially and professionally was all made easier (and more efficient) with Twitter.

    Don’t underestimate the power of Twitter to build connections with people within your physical and social communities!

    @jbiggley

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