Mark your calendars!

We’re announcing a big project with Andrew Button, called the Rural Action Cohort. Join us for the announcement and learn how you can bring this to your region, live on May 28, 2026. The sales page is still in sneak-preview mode, but you can signup here: https://learnto.saveyour.town/webinar-rural-action-cohort

One of our themes for this year is to network and partner with others.

We’re currently working on cohort groups with Andrew Button of Mashup Lab and with Dakota Resources. Other partnerships we’re focusing on include Erik Reader and Reader Area Development, Marci Goodwin with SmartStart, Talia Hanson, economic development director in San Juan County, Utah, Rebecca Undem of Growing Small Towns, Inland Northwest Partners, Communities Unlimited, and SourceLink. We’re creating media projects with Joe Barker of the Rural Strong Podcast and with John C. Shepard on Medium. Deb is a board member with Community Economic Partners as well, and she’s working on several projects.

Another theme is to do more virtual and poster presentations when we can’t be there in person.

The Glasgow World Community Development Conference accepted our 10 Year Survey of Rural Challenges poster as one of only 16 poster sessions for their international event in June/July.

Recent podcasts and media appearances

We’ve partnered with the Rural Strong podcast with Joe Barker to be regular monthly guests. Look for us on the first Monday of each month, and add Rural Strong to your favorite podcast subscriptions. Here’s the link to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dwg1pcuZRmUPaBRkGXqa3
Here’s the link to Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ruralstrong/id1853878133
Becky joined Brandon Burton at Chamber Chat for an episode that releases May 26. While you wait, check out Deb’s appearance on Chamber Chat here. https://chamberchatpodcast.com/episode370
Did you know you can also listen to our solution videos just like a podcast? https://learnto.saveyour.town/

And did we mention books? Check out our two books on our Idea Friendly Method:

From Possibilities to Reality: Save Your Small Town by Deb Brown – your graphic workbook, full of repeatable recipes to choose from and try right away, available in paperback. The Burney, CA, Book Club is on fire, creating all kinds of beautification projects using the book. There are 16 book clubs right now!
The Idea Friendly Guide by Becky McCray – your guide to understanding the Idea Friendly Method and putting it into action, available in ebook, paperback and large print
Ask about the discount for book clubs and other group purchases! Just hit reply.

Becky’s schedule:

I’m just back from the Spring Conference with the League of Oregon Cities, where I also took time for a secret tour of a southern Washington town!

I have limited time available for summer events. If you’re looking at late May through early August, email Becky@SaveYour.Town.

This fall’s schedule looks like this:

Tentative: Community work, Mitchell County, Kansas, more details coming soon, August 25-26, 2026
Tentative: Community meeting, Greater Salina Community Foundation, keynote on the Idea Friendly Method, Kansas, August 27, 2026
Rooted & Rising: Rural Forum, Compeer Financial, FLCA, closing keynote speaker on the Idea Friendly Method, Owatonna, Minnesota, September 14-16, 2026
Provincial Summit, Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance, Canada, October, 2026

I have a couple of other inquiries in Kansas following the Dane G. Hansen Foundation Forum last month. I’ll also be gearing up for our next round of the Survey of Rural Challenges to open for responses this fall. We’ll keep you posted!

Becky at a book signing and keynote in Kansas. Order a copy of the ebook, paperback or Large Print at your favorite retailer: Bookshop.org, Amazon, Apple Books, and more

Deb’s Schedule

I just returned from Granbury, Texas, where I keynoted at the ARCIT Annual Conference and also led an Idea Friendly Workshop.

Late Spring and Summer

May 6, 2026, East Range, Minnesota, keynoting at The East Range Summit and visiting the towns of Biwabik, Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and the Town of White, and discussing economic development ideas with those on the ride around.
Mississippi Arts Commission Judge judging the Arts-Based Community Development Operating Grants by May 13, 2026.
June 9-11, 2026, I’ll be an Instructor, Community Development Institute Southeast, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Instructing 2nd and 3rd year students on the topic of Saving Your Small Town

Fall

September 2, 2026, San Juan County Economic Development, Utah Innovative Rural Business Models Webinar for San Juan, Utah Chamber members, recording to be placed in their resource library

Cohort:

May 11, 2026, I’m leading the Dakota Resources 4-session Cohort on the topic of Collaboration (dates are: 5/11, 5/18, 6/8, 6/15). At this writing, there are 2 spots left. You can view more information at this link.

National Travel Center and Community Economic Partners Organization:

I’m on the board for NTC and working on:

Moshannon Valley, PA Project
Morris County, NJ Project
Goldfield, Nevada Project with Travel Nevada

Currently, I do have some openings. Let’s have a conversation about your event or idea! Just email Deb@SaveYour.Town.

Deb Brown, Joseph Smith from Black Natchez, and Amanda McBride from Communities Unlimited at Deb’s book signing and presentation in Natchez, MS.

You can best support my work by ordering my book from this link.

There are many ways we could work together! Visit https://saveyour.town/workwithus/ and reach out if you wish.