WRDC Community Development Workshop Brings Land-Grant Professionals Together in Honolulu
In early April, the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) convened land-grant faculty, Extension professionals, and applied researchers for the WRDC Community Development Workshop in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Held April 7–9, the three-day, interactive workshop focused on strengthening capacity to design, deliver, and sustain community and economic development initiatives with conversations on tailoring application and resources to the unique contexts of island and rural communities.
Holding the workshop in Hawai‘i was a deliberate effort to bring professional development directly to land-grant and Sea Grant partners in the Pacific region, with WRDC also providing a limited number of travel scholarships to help ensure faculty and staff from island and rural institutions could participate. The event emphasized networking and peer exchange among Extension specialists, researchers, and institutional leaders as a foundation for creating lasting community impact across the Pacific region.
Island and rural communities across the Pacific region face distinctive and often overlapping opportunities and challenges related to community and economic development. Geographic isolation, infrastructure capacity, small or dispersed populations, and vulnerability to environmental and economic shocks can complicate development efforts, though these factors vary widely by place and scale. At the same time, these communities are grounded in strong cultural identity, deep social networks, and place‑based assets that can support innovative, community‑led approaches. The workshop centered these shared realities while recognizing local differences, emphasizing methods and resources to support the development of place‑based strategies that respond to community priorities and strengthen long‑term resilience.
The workshop agenda blended foundational training with applied learning. Participants explored core community and economic development practices, asset-based community development (ABCD), strategic planning, and community evaluation. Sessions also focused on understanding local economies, enhancing livability, and strengthening grant writing and proposal development skills. These topics were complemented by site visits to Paepae o He‘eia, an ancient Hawaiian fishpond, and Kāko‘o ʻŌiwi a wetland restoration project and farm, where participants learned how Indigenous agriculture, cultural knowledge, and community-driven economic efforts support sustainable local development in Hawai‘i.
A central theme throughout the workshop was the critical role land-grant colleges and universities play in advancing community and economic development. Faculty and staff at land-grant and Sea Grant institutions serve as a vital bridge between research and practice, translating research into accessible tools, delivering Extension programming, and partnering directly with communities to address local challenges. Workshop materials and discussions highlighted how land-grant professionals in applied research, evaluation, and community engagement directly expands opportunities to strengthen rural and island communities.
By bringing together 31 professionals, the WRDC Community Development Workshop underscored the value of investing in the people who deliver research-based information, education and programs at the community level. As land-grant institutions continue to expand their capacity in community development research and Extension, they play an increasingly important role in supporting locally driven solutions and strengthening the social and economic vitality of rural and island communities throughout the West and Pacific region.
To continue investing in community leaders, the WRDC is excited to host the Community Development Institute West July 20-24, 2026 in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about this exciting training opportunity on the event page.
