The Regional Rural Development Centers: Advancing the Economic Health of Rural America

The National Extension Tourism Network (NET) invites you to join this webinar presented by Kathy Kelley, Penn State Professor of Horticultural Marketing and Business Management, who will present on trends describing what tasting rooms and related alcoholic beverage venues can implement to attract visitors. Strategies include developing events based on national trend data, partnering with complementary businesses, and customizing experiences based on surveying visitors and loyalty program members.

Join the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia for this online event to hear from experts and practitioners about strategies and best practices for supporting the local workforce through sustainable childcare services. Investing in childcare services creates jobs, allows caregivers to participate in the labor market, and provides opportunities for young families to remain in their rural communities — all of which contribute to a thriving regional economy.

NERCRD is please to kick off its 2025 webinar series with “Marylanders Online: Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Communities,” an exploration of the innovative strategies and initiatives developed by University of Maryland Extension (UME) aimed at increasing internet access and digital literacy in Maryland’s rural areas.

Thursday, January 30, 2025
12 noon – 1pm Central

Join the National Extension Climate Initiative (NECI) for a Professional Development meeting featuring Scott Hotaling, Assistant Professor in the Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University, who will be presenting on the Climate Adaption Intern Program (CAIP). The CAIP is a semester-long, cohort-style Extension program at Utah State University where undergraduates are work with experts to develop resources (e.g., fact sheets) that correspond to climate needs in Utah and the surrounding region. In this talk, Scott will describe CAIP, the outcomes and impacts thus far, and why the team thinks the program is well-poised to be replicated in other universities/states.

Join the National Extension Tourism Network for a presentation by Claudia Schmidt (Penn State) and Jason Entsminger (University of Maine), who will share key findings from the recent national agritourism survey, exploring both challenges and opportunities within the industry.

Join the American Indian Higher Education Consortium Land Grant Team to share practical strategies to stay focused while navigating through uncertain times and effectively plan for the future.