Montana Rural Summit
June 10, 2026 in Townsend MT
The Montana Rural Summit was held June 10, 2026. The day was acelebration of rural Montana withpresentations, panels and discussions exploringinnovative and effective ways tosupport the success of our small towns.
Conference Materials
- A State of Rural Report was prepared for the event by Julia Haggerty, Department Head of Earth Sciences at Montana State University, and Kristen Smith, Headwaters Economics (draft linked here). They welcome input and feedback through June 21st. The best way to share your thoughts is to email them directly: Julia.haggerty@montana.edu and kris@headwaterseconomics.org.
- Daniel Read,Research Analyst at LOR Foundation presented recent research by LOR Foundation and Gallup titled Unlocking Local Leadership: Why Rural People Step Forward to Help their Communities. Find the full report of the findings here.
- A summary of the proceedings is underway and will be posted here and sent via email to people registered for the event sometime in July.
Thank you to Wells Fargo Foundation, the LOR Foundation, Montana Community Foundation, and AARP Montana for helping make this event possible through their generous financial support.
June 10, 2026 Agenda
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8:30 a.m. |
Registration Opens Sign in, Stakeholder mapping, demographics at the door, collecting and distributing event and organization materials, and coffee and refreshments |
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9:00 a.m. |
Welcome and Introductions
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9:30 a.m. |
State of Rural Report Presentation Julia Haggerty, Department Head of Earth Sciences at Montana State University, and Kristen Smith, Headwaters Economics. |
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10:45 a.m. |
Break |
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11:00 a.m. |
Reimagining Rural Community Stories of Success Facilitated by Jennifer Anderson, MSU Extension Community Vitality Associate Specialist and lead for the Reimagining Rural Program
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12:30 p.m. |
Taco Bar Lunch Buffet Panel Discussion with Montana Rural Legislators Facilitated by Ashley Kent, MSU Extension Local Government Center Associate Director
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1:30 p.m. |
Unlocking Local Leadership: Why Rural People Step Forward to Help their Communities. Daniel Read,Research Analyst, LOR Foundation. Presentation on recent research by LOR Foundation and Gallup. |
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2:00 p.m. |
Break |
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2:20 p.m. |
Rural Stakeholder Map: Who is doing what, where? Where are the gaps? Facilitated by Kristen Smith, Headwaters Economics |
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2:50 p.m. |
What have we learned? What does it mean? Next steps Facilitated by Melissa Weddell, Director and Research Faculty of the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at University of Montana |
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4:00 p.m. |
Adjourn |
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4:30 p.m. |
Taste of Townsend tour Optional Taste of Townsend. Meet in front of The Lodge of Townsend at 131 S Spruce Rachael Brug, Montana Nonprofit Association Rural Ambassador will lead a behind‑the‑scenes look at downtown Townsend, for a look at the unique projects, community‑minded leaders, and the creative energy shaping downtown Townsend. The tour includes a “Taste of Townsend” sampling along Broadway. Tour ends at Canyon Ferry Brewery (on the same block as The Lodge).
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Event Sponsors
This event has been made possible through support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the LOR Foundation, AARP Montana and the Montana Community Foundation.
