Montana State University Extension announced on May 5 that the Montana Rural Summit will take place on June 10 in Townsend, inviting all those invested in rural Montana communities to attend. The summit will include a “State of Rural” report for Montana, success stories from rural leaders, and discussions on how local leadership can contribute to community vitality.
The event aims to celebrate rural communities and explore new ways to support the future of small towns. Tara Mastel, MSU Extension Community Vitality program leader, said the summit offers an opportunity for participants to learn about innovative approaches and effective strategies. Julia Haggerty, head of the Department of Earth Sciences at MSU’s College of Letters and Science, along with Kristen Smith from Headwaters Economics, will present the “State of Rural” report. A lunchtime panel featuring rural legislators will address policy considerations affecting these areas. Daniel Read from the LOR Foundation is also scheduled to share recent research findings about rural leaders based on work by his organization and Gallup polling.
“Attendees such as rural funders and policymakers who have a stake in the success of rural communities may appreciate the event’s interaction and feedback with community leaders, legislators and participants in Extension programs like Reimagining Rural,” said Mastel.
Following the main sessions, attendees are invited to join an optional “Taste of Townsend” tour highlighting unique projects and local leaders shaping their communities. The tour includes a culinary tasting experience.
Registration costs $50 per person and covers morning refreshments as well as lunch. Additional details about registration are available online at www.montana.edu/extension/communitydevelopment/ruralsummit.html.
Montana State University leads in research funding within Montana with annual expenditures exceeding $288 million; it ranks among the top five percent of global universities according to rankings cited by its official website. As Montana’s land-grant university enrolling approximately 17,165 students—split evenly between residents and nonresidents—MSU contributes through outreach efforts designed to enhance lives across communities while focusing on research addressing key challenges facing Montanans.