As fall comes to a close, we’re reflecting on our eighth annual Radically Rural Summit, which welcomed more than 400 people to Keene. Over the course of three days, attendees traveled from 41 states, D.C., and Canada to gather in the Monadnock Region and explore what’s possible when rural communities work together.

A Theme That Resonated

This year’s theme, rural resonance, wove through every part of the summit. Both plenary and breakout sessions focused on the power of storytelling and cross-sector collaboration. For the first time, all 16 breakout sessions on Wednesday and Thursday were intentionally interdisciplinary.

One standout session on inland flooding brought together health organizations, community centers, and journalists to highlight how diverse partnerships can strengthen rural resilience. It captured exactly what Radically Rural is about: bringing unlikely collaborators into the same room to spark new ideas.

Built With Community, Not Just For It

Collaboration didn’t just show up in the programming. It shaped the planning itself. The 2025 summit involved the largest group of community partners, advisors, and session leaders to date. Their collective expertise ensured that the summit reflected a broad range of rural experiences, challenges, and solutions.

The Resonance Continues

That groundswell of community was felt by newcomers and longtime attendees alike. First-time volunteer Graci Zeiger of Iowa shared, “They say it’s the people that make a place. And for a few incredible days, the Radically Rural conference wasn’t just a place, it was a feeling. It was the profound sense of coming home to a community of hearts and minds that just get it.”