The Department of Community Development and Applied Economics is proud to announce the launch of the Rural Development Speaker Series, a hybrid-format forum designed to spark dialogue, share expertise, and build collaboration around the future of rural communities.
Hosted by UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and funded by the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics and UVM’s Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships, the series will feature two presentations each semester from leading academic and professional experts.
Focused on timely issues in rural community economic development, the series will explore topics such as public policy, local government, agriculture, and community resilience. Each session is structured to engage a wide audience, including rural development professionals, local leaders, extension educators, and other stakeholders.
Events will be offered in a hybrid format, with on-campus, in-person gatherings over lunch paired with live virtual broadcasts to ensure broad accessibility.
The first event in the series will take place on Monday, October 13, from 3:30–4:30 p.m. in UVM’s Waterman Memorial Lounge, featuring Dr. Brian Whitacre, Professor and the Jean & Patsy Neustadt Chair in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Whitacre’s research centers on rural economic development, with a particular focus on the role technology can play in strengthening rural communities.
He has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, many of which explore the connection between internet access and rural development. His innovative outreach programs have helped small towns leverage digital tools, and his work has earned regional and national recognition for excellence in research, teaching, and extension. In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Whitacre serves as chair of Oklahoma’s Broadband Expansion Council.
The series will continue on Monday, November 10, with a presentation by Peter M. Nalli of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Nalli is an expert in community development and public policy, bringing extensive experience in research and practice related to economic opportunity, inclusive growth, and the challenges facing rural and underserved communities.
The Rural Development Speaker Series reflects UVM’s ongoing commitment to fostering resilient rural economies and stronger communities through education, research, and partnership.