One of the goals of the Rural Futures Lab is to prepare profiles to lift up promising
ideas and practices from across rural America that show how rural people, organizations,
and communities are embracing the possibilities for new economic opportunity and
improved quality of life in the coming decades. Follow the links below to read about
a diverse group of organizations, regions, and people doing good work around the nation.
2012
This is the full report containing four case studies about rural-urban linkages in Oregon,
New Orleans region, Texas, and Nebraska. The report and case studies were written as part of part
of a broader effort supported by the Ford Foundation,
known as the Wealth Creation in Rural Communities initiative. The primary purpose of these case studies is to stimulate
learning, discussion and further inquiry about the application of the rural wealth creation framework.
One of four case studies written for the Wealth Creation in Rural Communities initiative. This case study
explores a developing restoration forest economy and its positive impacts along the forest products value
chain; these impacts can be seen both in terms of wealth retention and creation and of forging linkages
between rural and urban people and places. Sustainable Northwest, a regional nonprofit, has played a vital
role as value chain intermediary in this case.
One of four case studies written for the Wealth Creation in Rural Communities initiative. This case study
follows Market Umbrella, a nonprofit that is using public markets to help develop the regional food system of
New Orleans and its surrounding rural region.
One of four case studies written for the Wealth Creation in Rural Communities initiative. This is the case study
of NatureWorks, a bio-based product company in Nebraska. The ability to transform a renewable crop (in this case,
corn) into a value-added plastic resin that can be used to make low carbon footprint and/or biodegradable products
would seem to have the potential to be a game changer for rural America.
One of four case studies written for the Wealth Creation in Rural Communities initiative. Given the scale of investment
and rapid growth of the wind industry in West Texas, this case study seeks to provide important lessons for other
communities and regions across the country as wind energy becomes more ubiquitous.
2011
Ogallala Commons is a powerful case study for the Rural Futures Lab as it embraces
concepts such as regional collaboration, social equity, entrepreneurship, and the
engagement of young people – all with a future orientation towards making the communities
of the High Plains sustainable and resilient.
The Northern Forest Center has set out to show that a largely rural, natural resource-dependent
region can reverse its economic decline using a triple-bottom line development approach.
The Center and its partners believe that the future of the four-state Northern Forest
region requires a sustainable forest-based economy that protects the interests of
local communities, businesses, and the land itself.