Western Rural Development Center

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Boise, ID
Western Rural Development Center

Supporting the West through funding opportunities for Land Grant Institutions, research, and sustainable development.

At the Western Rural Development Center, we believe in the limitless potential of rural communities to lead and thrive. Our mission is to partner with farmers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and local organizations to turn challenges into opportunities and create lasting change. By collaborating with Western land-grant universities, we address the unique challenges rural areas face—supporting i

nitiatives that strengthen economies, improve access to essential services, and foster resilience for the future. Whether you’re working to grow your local business, advance agricultural practices, or build stronger community connections, we’re here to help your community succeed. Together, we’re cultivating a stronger, more vibrant rural America—one partnership at a time.

05/29/2026

🌄 Join the Conversation: WeCAN Community Reviews

Ready to strengthen your community’s voice in growth and development? Join the next Peer Learning Network session to explore how the WeCAN Community Review process is making an impact in East Helena, Montana.

💬 Hear from Katherine Anderson (MT Business Assistance Connection) and Amber Smyer (WRDC) as they kick off a discussion on community reviews.

Bring your ideas, questions, and stories! Walk away with practical insights for prioritizing, planning, and doing together in your own community.

🗓 Wednesday, June 10
⏰ 10–11 a.m. PT / 11–12 MT
🔗 Learn more + find the Zoom link: https://www.westerncan.org/peerlearningnetwork

🌱 Open to all rural changemakers—no matter where you’re from. Share with your colleagues and join us!

05/26/2026

Big research starts with bold ideas. 💡

The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) is supporting the next generation of leaders through its Graduate Assistant Grant Program. We're looking to fund innovative research and outreach that tackles real challenges facing rural communities across the West.

Selected PhD students receive up to $15,000 per year to support projects that:
• Address critical rural development issues
• Focus on underserved communities or emerging topics
• Combine research with real-world application
• Engage directly with stakeholders for meaningful impact

This grant is open to full-time graduate students at Western Land-Grant Institutions. Take advantage of this opportunity to turn research into action while building valuable experience, connections, and professional growth.

🔗 Learn more and apply by July 31st: https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/grad-student-projects/

05/22/2026

Complex rural community challenges require creative, collaborative solutions.

That’s why the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) provides financial support to Multistate/multi-institution Integrated Research & Extension Projects. We're proud to be able to assist in bringing together Land-Grant Institutions across the West to tackle critical rural issues.

These seed grants provide up to $25,000 for projects that:
• Involve two or more Western Land-Grant Institutions
• Integrate research and Extension efforts
• Address priority challenges facing rural communities
• Have strong potential for future external funding

Designed to spark collaboration and scale impact, these project grants help turn ideas into actionable solutions across the Western region.

Learn more and apply by July 31st: https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/multistate-projects/

05/21/2026

The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) is investing in innovative research and outreach through its Fellow Project Grant Program, supporting faculty who are tackling the most pressing challenges facing rural communities across the West.

Selected Fellows will receive up to $10,000 to advance projects that:
• Address critical rural development issues
• Focus on underserved communities or emerging topics
• Integrate research, Extension, or both
• Engage directly with local stakeholders for real-world impact

Open to faculty at Western Land-Grant Institutions, this one year opportunity is designed to turn bold ideas into meaningful solutions for rural regions.

🔗 Learn more and apply by July 31st: https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/fellow-projects/

05/18/2026

Communities don’t grow stronger by accident, they’re built by people willing to lead.

The Community Development Institute West is a 4.5-day immersive training (July 20–24, 2026, Boise, Idaho), designed for individuals working in, or passionate about, community and economic development, housing, education, government, nonprofits, and local leadership.

If you’re working to strengthen your community, this program gives you the strategies, tools and peer support you'll need to be highly effective.

Learn practical skills, such as:
• Community asset mapping & strategic planning
• Stakeholder engagement & leadership development
• Economic development and local resilience strategies

🔗 Learn more & register: https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/cdiwest/

05/15/2026

Scholarships available for CDI West 2026, happening in Boise, ID July 20-24!

The Community Development Institute West (CDI West) is an event intended for making professional development more accessible for community leaders and change makers across the Western region.

A limited number of scholarships are available to help reduce registration costs for this year’s institute. Preference is given to:
• Participants from rural, community-based organizations
• Communities or counties sending two or more attendees

CDI West recognizes the value of learning together, and bringing those ideas back home to strengthen your community.

• Register by May 22, 2026 for first scholarship consideration
• Applicants will be notified of award status by June 3, 2026

If awarded, scholarship funds will be applied directly toward registration costs.

Learn more & register today: www.cdiwest.org

05/14/2026

🏝️🗻🌦️ The WRDC Community Development Workshop in Hawai‘i brought together faculty, Extension professionals, and applied researchers from Land-Grant and Sea-Grant Institutions across the West and Pacific region to explore community-led approaches to rural and economic development.

Conversations centered the distinct opportunities, challenges, and cultural strengths of island and Pacific communities while building connections and tools to support long-term local resilience.

You can read more about this event's agenda and themes here: https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/wrdc-community-development-workshop-brings-land-grant-professionals-together-in-honolulu/

If you're interested in expanding your skills as a leader in your community, you can join us in Boise in July for Community Development Institute West! 🌳🌲 Find out the details: https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/cdiwest/

05/12/2026

What does it take to lead real, lasting change in your community? 🏡

Community Development Institute West offers more than just training, it’s a pathway to becoming a certified Professional Community and Economic Developer.

Through this 3-year program participants can work toward certification while gaining hands-on experience, building regional networks, and developing the skills needed to tackle complex community challenges.

This year's CDI West event will be taking place in Boise, Idaho from July 20th to 24th.

If you’re serious about advancing your impact, this is where that next step starts.

🔗 Explore the program and register: https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/cdiwest/

05/11/2026

Last call for faculty and staff of Western Land-Grant Institutions to submit their applications for a WRDC Leadership Skill Development Mini Grant!

The due date to apply is tomorrow, May 12.

Faculty and staff at Land-Grant Institutions in the Western Region can use this funding to:
• Participate in or deliver leadership trainings
• Cover registration fees for leadership workshops, courses, or webinars
• Purchase leadership-focused books and learning materials
• Lead a community leadership project, host a seminar, or mentor emerging professionals

Learn more and apply today at this link: https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/leadership-skill-development/

05/08/2026

Here's a look at a web article on the Children's Healthy Living Center website where attendees shared about their experience at our April Community Development Workshop in Honolulu.

Read to get a first look at what we did, learned, and accomplished together, from speakers and breakout sessions to site visits at community-based organizations. We're grateful to all our participants for a fruitful event.

🔗 Click here to read: https://www.chl-pacific.org/2026/04/17/chl-partners-attend-wrdc-workshop-2026/

More content from this event will be on the way soon!

Address

322 E Front Street Suite 222
Boise, ID
83702

Website

https://wrdc.uidaho.edu/

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