Monday, November 9

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) Keynote: Annie Carlson (North Dakota)

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions A

• Ten Seven Acres: Creativity During Pandemic Leads to New Revenue Streams (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, North Dakota)

• Collaborating for Meaningful Food Policy Change (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, Michigan)

• Strengthening Community Engagement to Recruit New Residents (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska and South Dakota)

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions B

• Memory Mapping for Regional Branding (TOURISM, New Hampshire)

• Designing and Hosting Virtual Entrepreneurship Education (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, New Hampshire)

• Strengthening Trust in Support of Entrepreneurial Development (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Minnesota)

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Debrief and connect with other communities during this interactive session.

Tuesday, November 10

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions C

• Preventing Destination Decline via Identifying Entrepreneurs (TOURISM, Michigan)

• Launching a Sustainable Innovation Space (PHYSICAL SPACES, New Hampshire)

• Fostering Entrepreneurship in Your Community (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Missouri)

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions D

• Business Succession Strategies for Community Leaders (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, Minnesota)

• Leadership Transfer in Rural Communities: Research Results and Implications for Rural Community Development (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska)

• Adding Value to Local Food Systems through Collaborative Marketing (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, Nebraska)

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions E

• Hospitality Innovation and Recovery during COVID-19 (TOURISM, Nebraska)

• Indigenous Entrepreneurship (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Minnesota)

• Ten Seven Acres: Creativity During Pandemic Leads to New Revenue Streams (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, North Dakota)

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Debrief and connect with other communities during this interactive session.

Wednesday, November 11

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions F

• Growing Latinx Enterprises through a Community Focus (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Nebraska)

• Focusing Communities through Data and Engagement (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska)

• Connecting Farms and Bike Trails to Enhance Tourism and Entrepreneurial Opportunities (TOURISM, Minnesota)

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions G

• Food Hub Growth Stories (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, South Dakota, Missouri)

• Connecting Farms and Bike Trails to Enhance Tourism and Entrepreneurial Opportunities (TOURISM, Minnesota)

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions H

• Empowering Young Entrepreneurs (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Michigan)

• Strengthening Community Engagement to Recruit New Residents (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska and South Dakota)

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Debrief and connect with other communities during this interactive session.

Thursday, November 12

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions I

• Hospitality Innovation and Recovery During COVID-19 (TOURISM, Nebraska)

• Strengthening Trust in Support of Entrepreneurial Development (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Minnesota)

• Development by Design (PHYSICAL SPACES, Michigan)

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions J

• Empowering Young Entrepreneurs (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Michigan)

• Indigenous Entrepreneurship (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Minnesota)

• Food Cluster Branding (TOURISM, Minnesota)

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions K

• Preventing Destination Decline via Identifying Entrepreneurs (TOURISM, Michigan)

• Entrepreneurs First (E1) Collaborative (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Minnesota)

• Focusing Communities through Data and Engagement (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska)

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Debrief and connect with other communities during this interactive session.

Friday, November 13

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions L

• Leveraging Online Sales to Grow Your Business (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, Missouri)

• Creating Entrepreneurial Communities Case Study (TOURISM, Minnesota)

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions M

• Craft Beverages Can Create Community (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, Pennsylvania)

• Collaborating for Meaningful Food Policy Change (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, Michigan)

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions N

• Growing LatinX Enterprises through a Community Focus (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Nebraska)

• Business Succession Strategies for Community Leaders (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, Minnesota)

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Debrief and connect with other communities during this interactive session.

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) Keynote

Annie Carlson (North Dakota)

Annie Carlson and her husband, John, own and operate Morning Joy Farm, located in central North Dakota. The farm is a third generation, pasture-based, local-market farm with a commercial kitchen and food truck that specializes in homemade catered meals for special events, bulk family meals, cooking classes and helping their customers know where their food is grown.

In her keynote address, Carlson will discuss her experiences in both a Fortune 500 Company and now as operator of Morning Joy Farm, focusing on what she has learned from her successes and failures.

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions A

• Ten Seven Acres: Creativity During Pandemic Leads to New Revenue Streams (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, North Dakota)

Jessie Monson, Ten Seven Acres

Pre-pandemic, Ten Seven Acres focused on production of high-end cottage alpaca fiber to create dryer balls, roving, batts, yarn, socks, hats, rugs, and other knit and woven goods. With the onset of the pandemic, they created packages for a virtual farm and introductions to their friendly alpacas for local businesses and corporations to include in their Zoom meetings. The package has been wildly popular during the pandemic.

• Collaborating for Meaningful Food Policy Change (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, Michigan)

Sarah Monte, Marquette Food Co-op (MFC) Outreach Director; Thyra Karlstrom, Marquette County Manager of Planning, Community Development, Recreation, and Forestry; Brad Neuman, Michigan State University Extension Educator

The Upper Peninsula Food Exchange supports the growth of the community food system. Learn about the documents and guides their Policy Committee created to guide local communities in their revisions to local plans, policies, and regulations to support such local food systems. Learn about how you can use these documents and the importance of collaboration in creating such documents.

• Strengthening Community Engagement to Recruit New Residents (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska and South Dakota)

Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Nebraska Extension; Peggy Schlechter, SDSU Extension; Beth Simonson, Civic & Commerce President, Highmore, SD; Vikki Day, Mayor, Highmore, SD.

Marketing Hometown America (MHA) is a community program focused on recruiting and retaining new residents. It engages communities through small groups, called study circles, to get more residents involved in identifying the community’s value and marketing that value. The forum teaches community leaders to focus on what people are looking for when they choose a place to live and do business in, creating a spark for action that leads to community change and new methods for recruitment and retention of residents and businesses. In addition to learning about the program, Highmore, SD will talk about how they engaged community residents and the actions they’ve taken.

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions B

• Memory Mapping for Regional Branding (TOURISM, New Hampshire)

Stephen Meno and Penelope Whitman, University of New Hampshire

Memory mapping is used to help people understand their emotional responses to place. This session will introduce the concept of imageability in a mapping exercise and how it can reveal why some places fulfill us and others leave us anxious and disinterested. Being an experiential tool, communities can use this to better understand their strengths and challenges as a community.

• Designing and Hosting Virtual Entrepreneurship Education (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, New Hampshire)

Sue Cagle and Jared Reynolds, University of New Hampshire

The shift to virtual education as a result of COVID-19 presented both challenges and opportunities. Join us to hear about best practices for hosting virtual education and events. The presenters will talk about how they transitioned some entrepreneur events to a virtual format and what the challenges, benefits, and lessons there were.

• Strengthening Trust in Support of Entrepreneurial Development (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Minnesota)

Jody Horntvedt, University of Minnesota Extension

Social capital is an asset for development in small towns. This session will explore three elements of social capital (trust, engagement and efficacy), focusing specifically on how trust can be leveraged or built to support entrepreneurial development.

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Take time to debrief your conference experience and connect with other communities doing this work to share ideas. Join this 30 minute session for an interactive conversation among participants. Hosted by University of Minnesota Extension.

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions C

• Preventing Destination Decline via Identifying Entrepreneurs (TOURISM, Michigan)

Andy Northrop, Michigan State University

In an effort to prevent destination decline, Michigan encourages communities to focus on a tourism area’s full life-cycle. Three types of entrepreneurs will be highlighted as central to the growth or decline of a destination. Presenters will highlight examples from field-based programs during 2020.

• Launching a Sustainable Innovation Space (PHYSICAL SPACES, New Hampshire)

Jared Reynolds, University of New Hampshire

Innovation spaces like makerspaces, incubators, and coworking spaces support entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses. They can be challenging to both launch and sustain in rural areas. Hear about best practices and stories of how some rural innovation spaces were able to launch, sustain themselves, and spur innovation in their communities.

• Fostering Entrepreneurship in Your Community (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Missouri)

Annette Weeks, Executive Director – Centers for Business (Missouri Western State University); Keli Morris, Enterprise Facilitator (Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation), Annette Kendall, Director – Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (University of Missouri)

Learn more about facilitating entrepreneurship in your region from multiple perspectives and professionals. This moderated panel discussion will include topics such as building business facilitation groups and experiences from business consulting.

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions D

• Business Succession Strategies for Community Leaders (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, Minnesota)

Jennifer Hawkins, University of Minnesota Extension

As the baby boomer generation retires, many communities are concerned about business succession. Research has shown that successful transitions lead to growth. Additionally, many of those purchasing businesses in rural communities are newcomers. This session will explore the research and provide ideas for communities about how to support successful business transitions in their towns.

• Leadership Transfer in Rural Communities: Research Results and Implications for Rural Community Development (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska)

Dr. Lindsay Hastings, Clifton Professor in Mentoring Research, Ag Leadership Education and Communications, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The United States is poised to experience one of the largest transfers of leadership (55% of management occupations) in its history. Preparing rural community leadership for these transitions will be critical. This presentation will review recent research results in rural community leadership transfer, offering several important considerations for community development practices.

• Adding Value to Local Food Systems through Collaborative Marketing (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, Nebraska)

Ben McShane-Jewell & Rex Nelson, NE Extension Educator, Nebraska Regional Food Systems Initiative

Individual producers often lack the time and resources to effectively distinguish their products in the open market. Collaborative approaches to marketing, such as member-based brands like Buy Fresh Buy Local and online platforms like MarketMaker, give producers more exposure to consumers and lift-up local food products across a region. This session will focus on multiple projects from Nebraska that provide local producers with opportunities for collaborative marketing.

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions E

• Hospitality Innovation and Recovery during COVID-19 (TOURISM, Nebraska)

Kristin Malek, PhD, CMP, DES, CHE, Event Management Extension Specialist, Assistant Professor in HRTM, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

National headlines indicate that the hospitality industry has been severely affected by COVID. While there has been much reporting on unemployment numbers, there is an amazing amount of innovation and recovery strategies that have been implemented in addition to system-wide changes. This session will give an overview of these areas in relation to the hotel and restaurant industries.

• Indigenous Entrepreneurship (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Minnesota)

Fawn J. Sampson, American Indian Leadership & Civic Engagement Liaison, University of Minnesota

Indigenous Entrepreneurship is an emerging field with many actors. This session will describe an introductory effort made by UMN Extension to address issues facing indigenous entrepreneurs in Minnesota and describe some of the outcomes of this effort.

• Ten Seven Acres: Creativity During Pandemic Leads to New Revenue Streams (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, North Dakota)

Jessie Monson, Ten Seven Acres, North Dakota

Pre-pandemic, Ten Seven Acres focused on production of high-end cottage alpaca fiber to create dryer balls, roving, batts, yarn, socks, hats, rugs, and other knit and woven goods.

With the onset of the pandemic, they created packages for a virtual farm and introductions to their friendly alpacas for local businesses and corporations to include in their Zoom meetings. The package has been wildly popular during the pandemic.

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Take time to debrief your conference experience and connect with other communities doing this work to share ideas. Join this 30 minute session for an interactive conversation among participants. Hosted by University of South Dakota Extension.

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions F

• Growing Latinx Enterprises through a Community Focus (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Nebraska)

Sandra Barrera Fuentes, Extension Educator, UNL & Yesenia Peck, Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Grand Island, NE has a growing population of Latinx individuals starting small and growing businesses. Programs to increase their skills, certifications, fund access and business planning has led to a vibrant and celebrated Hispanic Business District. Hear about lessons learned to help other communities successfully grow a vibrant and diverse business environment.

• Focusing Communities through Data and Engagement (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska)

Marilyn Schlake, Extension Educator, UNL & Susan Norris, Director, Pierce County Economic Development

Engaging community residents through surveys and community conversations can lead to "aha" moments when they see their community more clearly through the eyes of more citizens. When such aha moments spark, there is a rallying of the troops behind community projects that assist businesses, increase communications and create excitement for a new community vision. Hear from community leaders to learn how this is transforming their communities.

• Connecting Farms and Bike Trails to Enhance Tourism and Entrepreneurial Opportunities (TOURISM, Minnesota)

David Abazs, University of Minnesota

This session will provide insights into how the University collaborated with local leaders in an effort that helped connect tourists with area farms using the regional bike trail.

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions G

• Food Hub Growth Stories (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, South Dakota, Missouri)

Kristianna Siddens, Manager, Dakota Fresh; Kari O’Neill, Field Specialist in Community Vitality for SDSU Extension; Katie Nixon, Board of Directors President, KC Food Hub; Alicia Ellingsworth, Sales and Production Director, KC Food Hub

Two farmer owned food hubs share their experiences in getting started and the niche they serve. Hear from Dakota Fresh in South Dakota and the KC Food Hub serving Missouri and Kansas.

• Connecting Farms and Bike Trails to Enhance Tourism and Entrepreneurial Opportunities (TOURISM, Minnesota)

David Abazs, University of Minnesota

This session will provide insights into how the University collaborated with local leaders in an effort that helped connect tourists with area farms using the regional bike trail.

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions H

• Empowering Young Entrepreneurs (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Michigan)

Kathy Jamieson, Michigan State University

Do you want to retain and attract young talent to your community? Come learn about ways to prepare youth for success by developing an entrepreneurial mind-set. Learn about curriculum, resources and innovative business creation programs that involve youth in hands-on learning to create young entrepreneurs.

• Strengthening Community Engagement to Recruit New Residents (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska and South Dakota)

Beth Simonson, Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, UNL Extension Specialist; Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Nebraska Extension; Peggy Schlechter, SDSU Extension; Beth Simonson, Highmore, SD community member.

Marketing Hometown America (MHA) is a community program focused on recruiting and retaining new residents. It engages communities through small groups, called study circles, to get more residents involved in identifying the community’s value and marketing that value. The forum teaches community leaders to focus on what people are looking for when they choose a place to live and do business in, creating a spark for action that leads to community change and new methods for recruitment and retention of residents and businesses. In addition to learning about the program, Highmore, SD will talk about how they engaged community residents and the actions they’ve taken.

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Take time to debrief your conference experience and connect with other communities doing this work to share ideas. Join this 30 minute session for an interactive conversation among participants. Hosted by University of Minnesota Extension.

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions I

• Hospitality Innovation and Recovery During COVID-19 (TOURISM, Nebraska)

Kristin Malek, PhD, CMP, DES, CHE, Event Management Extension Specialist, Assistant Professor in HRTM, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

National headlines indicate that the hospitality industry has been severely affected by COVID. While there has been much reporting on unemployment numbers, there is an amazing amount of innovation and recovery strategies that have been implemented in addition to system-wide changes. This session will give an overview of these areas in relation to the hotel and restaurant industries.

• Strengthening Trust in Support of Entrepreneurial Development (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Minnesota)

Jody Horntvedt, University of Minnesota Extension

Social capital is an asset for development in small towns. This session will explore three elements of social capital (trust, engagement and efficacy), focusing specifically on how trust can be leveraged or built to support entrepreneurial development.

• Development by Design (PHYSICAL SPACES, Michigan)

Bonnie Fahoome, Director of Business Programs, Design Core Detroit, Michigan

Whether working in city neighborhoods or rural small towns, community and economic development professionals strive to understand and meet the needs of both current and future residents. In this session, learn how design professionals support equity and inclusion in real estate development and drive better outcomes in our built environment. Participants will receive a digital download of Design Core Detroit's Design Guide for Real Estate Development.

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions J

• Empowering Young Entrepreneurs (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Michigan)

Kathy Jamieson, Michigan State University

Do you want to retain and attract young talent to your community? Come learn about ways to prepare youth for success by developing an entrepreneurial mind-set. Learn about curriculum, resources and innovative business creation programs that involve youth in hands-on learning to create young entrepreneurs.

• Indigenous Entrepreneurship (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Minnesota)

Fawn J. Sampson, American Indian Leadership & Civic Engagement Liaison, University of Minnesota

Indigenous Entrepreneurship is an emerging field with many actors. This session will describe an introductory effort made by UMN Extension to address issues facing indigenous entrepreneurs in Minnesota and describe some of the outcomes of this effort.

• Food Cluster Branding (TOURISM, Minnesota)

Laura Qualey, City of Cannon Falls

Cannon Falls is a small community within Minnesota located on a corridor between the Twin Cities and Rochester. Hear how the community and local businesses are working together to develop a community brand leveraging local foods and recreational amenities to drive business and tourism.

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions K

• Preventing Destination Decline via Identifying Entrepreneurs (TOURISM, Michigan)

Andy Northrop, Michigan State University

In an effort to prevent destination decline, Michigan encourages communities to focus on a tourism area’s full life-cycle. Three types of entrepreneurs will be highlighted as central to the growth or decline of a destination. Presenters will highlight examples from field-based programs during 2020.

• Entrepreneurs First (E1) Collaborative (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Minnesota)

Stacy Nimmo, Red Wing Ignite, Minnesota

Learn more about a collaborative spanning 11 counties in SE Missouri that offer start-ups regional resources which include educational offerings like Design Thinking and Lean Startup classes, 1:1 mentor-ship and funding guidance customized to their stage in the start-up journey.

• Focusing Communities through Data and Engagement (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, Nebraska)

Marilyn Schlake, Extension Educator, UNL & Susan Norris, Director, Pierce County Nebraska Economic Development

Join a moderated panel discussion on facilitating entrepreneurship in your region from multiple perspectives and professionals. Panelists are professionals with years of experience in leading entrepreneurship development programs. The discussion will include topics such as enterprise facilitation groups, Main Street facilitation, and experiences from business consulting.

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Take time to debrief your conference experience and connect with other communities doing this work to share ideas. Join this 30 minute session for an interactive conversation among participants. Hosted by South Dakota State University Extension

10-10:45 a.m. (MST)/11-11:45 a.m. (CST)/12-12:45 (EST) BreakoutSessions L

• Leveraging Online Sales to Grow Your Business (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, Missouri)

Stephanie Campbell, Blue Willow Boutique, Missouri; Brooke Bartlett, Gourmet Popcorn, Missouri; Askinosie Chocolate, Springfield, MO

This session will have a panel of businesses that have adopted a hybrid model of online sales blended with brick & mortar stores. These businesses have a commitment to being downtown while also supporting business through online sales. Hear from Blue Willow Boutique, Maryville, MO and GOPO - Gourmet Popcorn, Fulton, MO.

• Creating Entrepreneurial Communities Case Study (TOURISM, Minnesota)

Hal Cropp, Executive Director, Commonweal Theater in Lanesboro, MN; Elaine Edwards, Owner, Habberstad House Bed and Breakfast in Lanesboro, MN

Lanesboro, Minnesota has several decades of experience in leveraging and growing tourism for economic development. Nestled in the heart of SE Minnesota bluff country, the community of 750 is a destination drawing visitors from around the nation. Recently, the community undertook the energizing entrepreneurs process. This session will highlight the community's strategies for building on their assets.

11-11:45 a.m. (MST)/12-12:45 p.m. (CST)/ 1-1:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions M

• Craft Beverages Can Create Community (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, Pennsylvania)

Carla Snyder, Penn State University

Craft beverages as an industry segment can kick-start community revitalization while supporting local agriculture, businesses and providing a third space for communities to gather. Learn more about best practices to take back to your own community.

• Collaborating for Meaningful Food Policy Change (GROWING LOCAL FOOD, Michigan)

Sarah Monte, Marquette Food Co-op (MFC) Outreach Director; Thyra Karlstrom, Marquette County Manager of Planning, Community Development, Recreation, and Forestry; Brad Neuman, Michigan State University Extension Educator

The Upper Peninsula Food Exchange supports the growth of the community food system. Learn about the documents and guides their Policy Committee created to guide local communities in their revisions to local plans, policies, and regulations to support such local food systems. Learn about how you can use these documents and the importance of collaboration in creating such documents.

12-12:45 p.m. (MST)/ 1 - 1:45 p.m. (CST)/2-2:45 (EST) Breakout Sessions N

• Growing LatinX Enterprises through a Community Focus (SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, Nebraska)

Sandra Barrera Fuentes, Extension Educator, UNL & Yesenia Peck, Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Grand Island, NE has a growing population of Latinx individuals starting small and growing businesses. Programs to increase their skills, certifications, fund access and business planning has led to a vibrant and celebrated Hispanic Business District. Hear about lessons learned to help other communities successfully grow a vibrant and diverse business environment.

• Business Succession Strategies for Community Leaders (BUSINESS STRATEGIES, Minnesota)

John Bennett, University of Minnesota Extension

As the baby boomer generation retires, many communities are concerned about business succession. Research has shown that successful transitions lead to growth. Additionally, many of those purchasing businesses in rural communities are newcomers. This session will explore the research and provide ideas for communities about how to support successful business transitions in their towns.

1-1:30 p.m. (MST)/2- 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3-3:30 p.m. (EST) Community Connections Session

• Take time to debrief your conference experience and connect with other communities doing this work to share ideas. Join this 30 minute session for an interactive conversation among participants. Hosted by South Dakota State University Extension