a man's hand holds a key and is unlocking a door to a new home

New Housing Curriculum Empowers Extension Educators to Advance Local Housing Solutions

Posted on September 14th, 2026

The multi-state, North Central Region (NCR) Housing Working Group has released a comprehensive guide aimed at empowering university extension educators…
soybean plant in field

Reflections from the 2026 International Farm Transition Conference

Posted on July 20th, 2026

By Renee Wiatt, Research and Extension Specialist, NCRCRD and Purdue Institute for Family Business Every farm family eventually asks the…
row of a housing complex

New Thematic Survey Examines Housing & Food Security in NCR

Posted on July 16th, 2026

The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) is pleased to announce the publication of a new open access,…
2026 NACDEP NCR Award Winners

2026 NACDEP North Central Region Awards

Posted on July 14th, 2026

Congratulations to the Community Development Extension programs, teams, and individuals who won a North Central Region award at the 2026…
Group of excited people standing in a parking lot.

2025 Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference – South Dakota

Posted on July 6th, 2026

The 2025 Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference reaffirmed its role as a powerful driver of rural vitality South Dakota….
children sitting in a circle with hand outstretched toward the center

Registration Open: Transforming Early Child Care in Your Community Boot Camp (Fall 2026)

Posted on July 6th, 2026

Second Cohort Registration Now Open Transforming Early Child Care in Your Community Boot Camp is now accepting registrations for its…
A group of people are sitting in a room with a large screen in front of them.

Collaboration Brings Financial Literacy Workshop to Northwest Ohio Veterans

Posted on July 1st, 2026

Central State University and Owens Community College TRIO Veterans Upward Bound Department joined together to provide a 4-week financial literacy…
A group of people standing behind a counter.

Entrepreneurship Programs Bolster Economic Development Across Wisconsin Communities

Posted on July 1st, 2026

From early-stage food businesses seeking support to build and grow, to established businesses looking to transition into the cooperative model,…
A presenter standing in front of a large screen speaking to a group of people.

Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing Helps Indiana Communities Access Funding

Posted on July 1st, 2026

For 20 years, Purdue Extension’s award-winning Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing (BGGW) program has helped residents turn community-led ideas into…
map of North Central Region of U.S. with text, North Central Region Household Survey Report

North Central Region Household Survey Reports Now Available

Posted on May 27th, 2026

The North Central Region Household Survey Reports present index measures that synthesize multiple survey questions from the NCR-Stat: Baseline Survey…

NCRCRD Attends Sustainable Agricultural Systems Food Shocks Project Annual Meeting

Posted on May 27th, 2026

On May 18-19, 2026, NCRCRD Director, Dr. Maria Marshall and NCRCRD Research and Extension Specialist, Renee Wiatt attended the annual…
NCRCRD names first fellow for 2026

North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Names New 2026 Fellow

Posted on May 18th, 2026

First NCRCRD Fellow for 2026 Announced The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) has named Thomas Krumel, Ph.D.,…
Exit road sign on horizon

The Road to Succession: How Exit Intention Decisions in Family Businesses Vary Across the North Central Region

Posted on April 28th, 2026

By Pedro Antonio Díaz Cachay, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University Family businesses have a prominent presence…
various colored post it notes with one saying "Business Succession Plan"

Small Business Owner Succession and Exit Intentions: North Central Region Analysis

Posted on March 29th, 2026

By Renee D. Wiatt, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Rural small businesses have been and continue to be…
In Pursuit of Place Summit, June 23-25, 2026

In Pursuit of Place Summit hosted by NCRCRD Working Group

Posted on March 27th, 2026

Rural placemaking involves numerous types of community planning and design activities by a wide variety of professions and community stakeholders….