Rural Partners of Michigan and the Michigan Rural Network merged in December 2011 to form the Michigan Rural Council. This is the joining of two organizations committed to rural Michigan and now able to combine their resources and enthusiasm to support a range of new initiatives. Rural Partners of Michigan brings the tradition of the annual conference and the Michigan Rural Network brings its work groups focused on issues in key areas affecting rural Michigan.

The Michigan Rural Council is poised to take part in the growing conversations about rural development in Michigan. This merger follows other significant changes in Michigan including the expansion of the state agricultural agency's to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Additionally, agri-tourism, agriculture and rural infrastructure were all discussed in the January 2012 recent State of the State address. This year's annual conference, April 16-18 at Crystal Mountain, will be the inaugural event of the new merged organization, and what a spectacular lineup of speakers and programs.

Here's the initial program with the three featured speakers and the Wednesday morning (April 18) segment featuring great examples of businesses and institutions retained or created in smaller communities.

Visit www.michiganruralcouncil.org for continuing information on rural Michigan and to register for the 2012 conference.
2012 Small Town & Rural Development Conference
April 16-18, 2012
Crystal Mountain
Thompsonville, MI

2012 Tentative Conference Program

Conference registration available at:
www.michiganruralcouncil.org/

2011 Small Town & Rural Development Conference
April 18-20, 2011
Crystal Mountain
Thompsonville, MI

  • Conference Program


    • Keynote Speakers

  • Mark Lange -
    The Sweet Spot for Job Creation in Small Communities

  • Della Rucker -
    Creating a Wise Economy

  • Got'em, Got'em, Need'em...Keepin'em -
    Cops and Doughnuts
    Copper Nail
    Garden Theater
    Hometown Market
    MIUpperHand
    The Echo


    • 2011 Breakout Sessions

  • YOUR Economy
  • Rural Broadband Connectivity
  • Shared Services: A New Reality for Small Communities
  • Agriculture and Rural Character: If You've Got It, Flaunt It
  • Small Business Capital Access Project
    •    -Final Report
  • Succession Planning for Family Businesses
  • Farm-to-School: A Successful Program in NW Michigan
  • Community Success in the New Economy
  • The Wise Economy
  • Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Balancing Regional Alliances and Local Identity
  • Economic Gardening: A Local Perspective
  • USDA Rural Development Programs
  • Main Street Marketing on a Shoestring Budget
  • Local Libraries: A Town's Own Business Resource Center
  • Got Media? -Concepts for Keeping Your Citizen Informed
  • Michigan Rural Network Update
  • Helping Small Towns Succeed
  • MSHDA's Main Street Program




    		•
    • 1 Crystal Mountain 2012
    • 2 Top Featured Presentations
    • 3 Many Breakout Sessions
    • 4 Spacious Accomodations
    • 5 April 16-18, 2012
    Rural Partners of Michigan Offices are with Allan Hooper, its chairman: One Energy Plaza, Jackson, MI 49201-2276
    Phone: 517-788-1691     E-mail: achooper@cmsenergy.com