The rural learning network and semi-annual conference series focuses on community and economic development issues vital to rural central and western New York. The region is comprised of Allegany, Cattaragus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates Counties.

Public officials, non-profit agency personnel, business leaders/other decision makers and citizens from the region are invited to join the learning network free of charge (see link to the application form below). By joining the network, you will be added to a listserv that is used to send announcements of the semi-annual conferences (a total of six) and to post materials relevant to community and economic development in the region.

The broad goals of this program are to:

• Enhance the quality of public and private decision making with evidence-based information and technical assistance
• Enhance community development, economic opportunity and the quality of life of citizens of rural central and western New York
• Enhance inter-local cooperation among rural communities in the region

If you would like to propose a topic for a future conference on community and rural development issues vital to this region, please send us your suggestions. We are eager to plan conferences that will serve the region well.

The project leaders:

Beverly Mancuso
Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County

Joseph Pillittere
Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County

Nina Glasgow, PhD
Senior Research Associate, Department of Development Sociology
Cornell University

Rod Howe
Assistant Director, Community & Economic Vitality, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Executive Director, Community & Rural Development Institute
Cornell University