Radically Rural builds sustainability and success for rural life and places by building a network that connects people to each other and to new ideas. The annual Radically Rural Summit is divided into seven different program tracks that feature topics offering strategic opportunities for transformation in rural communities.
The Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) is excited to once again organize the Land & Community Track at the 2024 Radically Rural Summit, being offered as a live event in Keene, NH, Sept. 25 – 26.
Ticket costs vary and are available on a sliding scale. Use the CCCD promo code “FRIENDSOFCCCD” for 50% off a regular priced ticket.
The Land & Community Track will have two sessions:
- Session 1 – “Working Across Fences: Rural Collaborative Land Management & Conservation on Private Lands,” Sept. 25, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Showroom, 20 Commercial St., Keene
What happens when we work across fences to conserve wildlife habitat and land? For centuries, wildlife roamed freely across the continent. Development, fences and borders changed this reality, but critical habitats for wildlife conservation are often not limited to one plot of land. Conservation projects and efforts can be limited to property and boundary lines, and collaboration among private landowners in these efforts can be challenging.
This session will focus on collaborative land management and conservation success stories on private lands, explore challenges in these efforts, highlight different examples of what can happen when rural neighbors come together and provide an overview of available resources to engage with conservation across your fence line.
Examples will include trout conservation, a wildlife corridor partnership and engaging private landowners through an ecological lens.
Panelists include Michael Nerrie, CEO, Distant Hill Gardens; Jeff Littleton, principal ecologist and senior planner, Moosewood Ecological; and Nancy Patch, board member, Cold Hollow to Canada.
- Session 2 – “Supporting the Next Generation of Rural Farmers: Addressing Gaps & Barriers to Better Connect Farmers to Land,” Sept. 26, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Showroom, 20 Commercial St., Keene
Hundreds of organizations work in our food systems to support young and beginning rural farmers. These organizations strive to lower barriers to land access for rural farmers, but gaps still exist. Despite dedicated efforts throughout our farm and food system, we aren’t getting the solutions we strive for, and barriers to land access are gaining more ground.
Panelists will highlight programs and tools that facilitate land access and secure tenure for rural farmers, describing how their organizations support farm-seekers. Following resource sharing, this session will feature candid conversation among panelists about current roadblocks, both within larger socio-economic systems and in panel-represented programs. Through addressing these barriers, we will consider what happens when organizations at the table reimagine ways to connect farmers to land and other supportive resources.
Panelists include Charlene Andersen, farm and food lender, NH Community Loan Fund; Steve Normanton, board member and farmer, NH Agrarian Commons; and Nikki Lennart, farm business specialist, Intervale Center.
If you have questions regarding the Land & Community Track, email benee@cheshireconservation.org or call 802.518.0993.
To learn more or register for Radically Rural, go to RadicallyRural.org.
