Community Development (CD) Extension programs can be found in all twelve states in the North Central Region. Given the breadth of community development as a field, CD Extension programs are implemented in a variety of ways. The following stories provide greater insight into the impact these programs have on the North Central Region.
Community meeting with diverse group of people talking with each other.

Marketing Hometown America in Rural South Dakota

Posted on March 21st, 2024

Marketing Hometown America (MHA) was originally created as a response to the demographic changes happening in the rural Great Plains….
Woman in front of a lap top reading and taking notes.

Leadership Refresher Series Reaching Local Audiences in Innovative Ways

Posted on March 21st, 2024

Many Minnesota communities are experiencing leadership shortages, but not because people are unwilling to serve. Research by Ben Winchester, Extension…
illustration of a rain barrel surrounded by flowers water and rain with the words, "One Block" underneath

One Block at a Time: Addressing Climate-Related Water Challenges

Posted on March 20th, 2024

On Block at a Time: Community-driven Planning and Equitable Adaptation through Multi-benefit Green Infrastructure Great Lakes communities are facing multiple…
Photo of a group of adults attending the University of Missouri Extension's Neighborhood Leadership Academy.

University of Missouri Neighborhood Leadership Academy

Posted on January 10th, 2024

The Neighborhood Leadership Academy connects resources at the University – Creating Whole Communities and University of Missouri Extension – with neighborhood leaders from across…
Group photo of NDSU Extension professionals associated with the program, "Rural Leadership North Dakota"

RLND Program Celebrates 20 Years of Leadership Development

Posted on January 10th, 2024

NDSU Extension’s Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) Program began in 2003 to develop agricultural and community leaders. One hundred fifty-nine…
people sitting in front of a food truck

Expanding equitable access to mobile food business development resources for Spanish speaking entrepreneurs in west Michigan

Posted on January 10th, 2024

Relevance: Food entrepreneurs have challenging schedules. Online and on-demand course offerings can often serve as the best ways to provide…
Group photo of smiling men and women of various ages who attended Lincoln University's beekeeping program.

Lincoln University: Climate Smart Beekeeping as a Lucrative Entrepreneurial Operation

Posted on November 14th, 2023

According to Adrienne Hunter-Green, a Lincoln University Cooperative Extension (LUCE) Regional Educator of Family, Community and Consumer Sciences (FCCS) at…

Ohio Small Business Summit: A Catalyst for Business Development and Outreach

Posted on October 30th, 2023

The Central State University Extension’s (CSUE) Community & Economic Development (CED) team created and hosted its inaugural Ohio Small Business/Agribusiness…
Image shows a woman who works at Lynch Coop Grocery speaking to a male customer. Nebraska

Cooperative Business Model Re-Emerging as Opportunity for Rural Nebraska Business Development

Posted on October 26th, 2023

For Nebraska Extension’s Cooperative Development Center (NCDC) and Rural Prosperity Nebraska (RPN), the possibilities of the cooperative business model delivered…
Photos of Belle Plaine Roadside Park: A Community Visioning outcome

Community Visioning Local Landscapes

Posted on August 24th, 2023

Contributed by Iowa State University Extension and Research The Iowa’s Living Roadways (ILR) Community Visioning Program is a participatory process…
Mural in Peoria, IL

Central Illinois Cultural Assets

Posted on August 24th, 2023

Contributed by University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign Extension With funding from an Extension Collaboration Grant, the Central Illinois’ Cultural…
two women talking around a table who were attending the KSU Leadership Workshop

Kansas State’s Facilitation Initiative

Posted on August 18th, 2023

Contributed by Kansas State University Research and Extension To ensure inclusive conversations, KSRE embarked on a Facilitation Initiative, training 22…