Because you care about the future of rural America,
we invite you to gather with others who do, too.
Rural Assembly Everywhere 2025, a free virtual gathering for rural leaders, community members, advocates, and allies, took place on Sept. 17.
This year’s theme A Bigger Pie: Cultivating Abundance in a Time of Scarcity is an invitation to imagine new ways to expand opportunity, share resources, and build a more connected, thriving rural America.
Sept. 17
1:00-2:30pm Eastern
Watch the replay to learn more about building stronger rural communities.
Everywhere is free and accessible,
wherever you are.
Everywhere was broadcast via Crowdcast, allowing participants to ask questions and chat with one another before and during the event.
This year, we expanded Everywhere with in-person partner events and watch parties.
Danville, VA
Hosted by the Virginia Rural Health Association
Join us at The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, VA for a day of ideas, community, and fun as we watch the virtual Everywhere broadcast together and engage in our own, in-person conversations and activities.
Granite Falls, MN
Hosted by Department of Public Transformation
Join DoPT and The YES! House on Wednesday, September 17th for a full day of connection, creativity, and community as we host a local watch party and live gathering for Rural Assembly Everywhere in Granite Falls!
Northern Cheyenne Reservation
Hosted by The Wild Rose Center
Contact [email protected] to attend
Join us at The Wild Rose Center on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in SE Montana! If you’re in the area, Rural Assembly can connect you with the organizers for more details!
Waynesburg, PA
Hosted by Greene County community leaders
On September 17, 2025, we will host an in-person event across three locations: lunch in the cafeteria at Waynesburg, watch party at First Presbyterian Church, and then a follow up conversation at RGB Coffee. Our goal is to bring neighbors and community leaders together to reflect together and to look at ways we might collaborate together. You’re welcome to come to any of the programs, or all of them!
Learn more about our four partner communities!
Hear from inspiring speakers, artists, and musicians.
We’re thrilled to welcome author Natalie Baszile, a leading voice in the legacy and importance of Black agriculture and land ownership as our featured conversation. Natalie is the author of “We are Each Other’s Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land & Legacy.
Everywhere will also feature a conversation and Q&A with journalist and PBS host Ray Suarez. Suarez is host of the new PBS television series, Wisdom Keepers, and author of the recent book on the modern era of American immigration, We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century, published by Little, Brown.
Plus
Read more below about the exciting lineup of rural leaders, artists, organizers, and changemakers who are cultivating abundance in their communities.
Salaam Green, poet laureate of Birmingham, Alabama
Salaam Green, inaugural Poet Laureate of Birmingham (2024–2026), will read from her recently released poetry collection, The Other Revival, published in June.
Read more…
Eliza Blue, folk musician and singer-songwriter
Eliza Blue is a folk musician, writer, and rancher residing in one of the most remote counties in the contiguous United States, Perkins County, South Dakota.
Read more…
Latingrass duo Larry & Joe
Larry & Joe are Larry Bellorín and Joe Troop, versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders.
Read more…
Invest in yourself & your community with post-event workshops.
When you register, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for workshops to keep the momentum going. Choose from a range of virtual workshops designed to dive deeper into the topics that matter most to you and your community.
Book Discussion: The Serviceberry, An Economy of Abundance by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Two-Part Series on Conflict Management
Small Town Magic: Turning Possibilities into Real Change
Watch now to join the conversation for a stronger rural America.
About Rural Assembly Everywhere
Rural Assembly Everywhere is the annual virtual gathering of the Rural Assembly. The virtual broadcast features speakers, conversations, music, and other elements of rural culture. Now in its fifth year as a virtual gathering, Rural Assembly Everywhere brings together people from across the country who care deeply about their rural places, neighbors, and community issues. Rural Assembly is a program of The Center for Rural Strategies.
This year’s theme is A Bigger Pie: Cultivating Abundance in a Time of Scarcity.
Dig in.
Have questions? Contact the Rural Assembly at [email protected].
News from Everywhere
- Watch: Natalie Baszile in conversation with Carlton Turner (extended version)
Watch an extended version of the conversation between award-winning author Natalie Baszile and artist and community leader Carlton Turner, - Attend an Everywhere Watch Party
Want to experience Rural Assembly Everywhere alongside others in your community? In addition to our four official partner sites, six more communities have signed on to host local watch parties for the virtual event on September 17. If you’re near these communities, we hope you’ll join in and be part of the conversation where you… - Rural Assembly Everywhere Workshops
Three workshop options are available during the weeks following our Sept. 17 Rural Assembly Everywhere virtual event. Choose from a range of virtual workshops designed to dive deeper into the topics that matter most to you and your community. - Everywhere panel: Essentials for Positive Sum Thinking: Trust, Relationships & Collaboration
Rural Assembly Everywhere will feature a panel discussion “Essentials for Positive Sum Thinking: Trust, Relationship, and Collaboration,” during the Sept. 17 virtual event. Hear from a group of leaders based in rural Southwest Washington State and learn how respect, friendship, and constant collaboration can build abundance and community. We are pleased to welcome Tiffany Oakes… - Birmingham Poet Laureate Salaam Green to Read from latest collection at Rural Assembly Everywhere 2025
We are honored to announce that Salaam Green, the inaugural Poet Laureate of Birmingham, Alabama (2024–2026), will join us at Rural Assembly Everywhere 2025 to read from her recently released poetry collection, The Other Revival, published in June 2025. A native of Greensboro, Ala., Green is the founder of The Literary Healing Arts, where she… - Latingrass duo Larry & Joe to perform at Rural Assembly Everywhere
Latingrass duo Larry & Joe will perform at this year’s Rural Assembly Everywhere, our virtual gathering on Tuesday, September 17 at 1 p.m. ET. - Scarcity is Real but Zero-Sum Thinking Doesn’t Have to Be
By Madeline Matson, Rural Assembly Director Rural people have always been scrappy. We have to be. We know how to do a lot and get things done with very little, whether it’s physical resources, money, human capital, or time. And too often, knowing that there are finite resources can lead to conflict. You worry there’s… - ‘We are Home’ author and PBS ‘Wisdom Keepers’ host Ray Suarez to speak at Everywhere
Author and television host Ray Suarez will join the Rural Assembly Everywhere virtual gathering Sept. 17 for a live interview and audience question and answer session. - Author Natalie Baszile featured in keynote conversation at Rural Assembly Everywhere virtual event
Award-winning author Natalie Baszile, a leading voice in the legacy and importance of Black agriculture and land ownership, will headline Rural Assembly Everywhere, the annual virtual gathering of the Rural Assembly.
