TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — “Partnering for Economic Health and Community Success” is the theme of the 2011 Indiana Rural Summit set for Dec. 1-2 at Indiana State University’s Bayh College of Education in Terre Haute.

Initiated by the Indiana Rural Roundtable, the summit’s objective is to bring the state’s leadership, economic development professionals, university representatives and various rural interests together to develop creative ways of strengthening and advancing Indiana rural communities.

Dr. Rick Foster, Michigan State University’s extension director of community and economic development, natural resources and stewardship, will be the keynote speaker. Foster is also the former vice president for programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Gina Sheets, Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) director of economic development, appreciates ISDA serving on the roundtable and providing panel presenters and moderators.

“ISDA wants to see a summit that provokes thought and discussion for a learning experience by all participants. ISDA is involved because rural communities are often fully supported by agribusiness,” she explained.

Promoting agriculture through public education, member engagement and by advocating for agricultural and rural needs is Indiana Farm Bureau’s (IFB) mission statement, and it delivers the emphasis IFB hopes to see at the event, according to Kent Yeager, IFB public policy team leader.

“We are participating in this event because our mission and vision statements mirror the event’s purpose,” he said. “Our vision is that IFB will be a proactive organization providing opportunities for members to influence positive outcomes in agriculture and their communities.

“’The communities’ is key because it is increasingly important to many of us to have rural communities that our children want to come home to. That certainly involves a lot of things beyond the farm and outside traditional agricultural production.”

The roundtable’s members represent the breadth of Indiana’s agricultural community and will be involved in the summit in various ways. The members include: Ball State University, Indiana Assoc. of Community Economic Development, Indiana Assoc. of County Commissioners, Indiana Cooperative Development Center, IFB, Indiana Grant Makers Alliance, Indiana Legislative Rural Caucus, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Indiana Rural Development Council, ISDA, Indiana State University, Indiana University, Purdue University and extension service and the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Yeager says the summit’s breakout sessions will provide opportunity for a variety of participants to network and collaborate on various issues and ideas.

“We hope to provide some valuable information that improves opportunity for direct marketers and those interested in agritourism; then, to use the summit to facilitate understanding and interaction between, of course, our members, but also attending community leaders and economic development professionals,” he said.

“One direct outcome would be helping economic development professionals better understand how various aspects of agriculture can be a valuable part of their local economic efforts. We also hope this helps develop the potential for rural entrepreneurs in general, especially those involved in traditional and non-traditional ag, but also rural economic activity that is not related to agriculture.

“Lastly, this type of event helps to develop leadership potential that is so important to rural communities.”

A vital part of the agenda is to encourage those involved with non-traditional agriculture. Yeager refers to “non-traditional” as those involved with direct marketing, value-added enterprises or agritourism ventures.

“Those venues often provide the best opportunity to connect farming with the non-farm public. It is also vital to connect with people who work to improve economies in rural Indiana, such as elected officials and economic development professionals who are also target audiences.”

A few of the ag track breakout sessions include: “What to Know to Get Started” (take that hobby and make it a job), “What to Know to Grow” (explore key components to operate and grow a successful ag business in various local, regional and national markets), “Helping Ag Grow” (examine various policy issues impacting ag) and “Creating Economic Ag Impact – Making the Connections” (showcase the value agribusiness has in a community when everyone is connected).

Sponsorship opportunities and registration and hotel information are available by emailing abell@ocra.in.gov