Radically Rural

Radically Rural was born from the heart naturally and organically as folks in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire were continually innovating and enjoying high levels of collaboration and connection in their own community. As they felt the compelling effects of gathering diverse groups of folks together to shape & share ideas, they realized that there was a greater need for rural folks beyond their own region to gather. Further, they wanted to multiply the positive impacts of the programs & initiatives they had developed in their own community and learn what others around the country were doing well too; thus was born the Radically Rural movement. In 2018, the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship and the Keene Sentinel hosted their first summit, where 544 folks from 24 states attended. The summit was unlike any other, with its venues spread throughout the New England main street in the beautiful fall weather and included a fusion of art, music, innovative and impactful sessions, food, and more. In short, it was a success. Each year in September folks gather, not because they have to, but because they want to. They see the value of making the investment to be there; it pays in dividends as the ideas and energy help to propel them forward. They see the value of creating our own density so that we can augment each other’s work rather than reinventing the wheel. Radically Rural programming has now evolved to include monthly virtual Roundtables and other opportunities so that our network can remain connected year round.