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 in the works include 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. We are partnered with Community Economic Partners as well, and Deb is working on projects in Goldfield, NV, and the Lassen Volcanic region in CA with them.
Another theme is to do more virtual and poster presentations when we can’t be there in person.
- In February, we presented together at the Reimagine Rural sessions for Montana Extension. This was a great interactive session where we could help people with their specific ideas for their communities.
- The Glasgow World Community Development Conference accepted our 10 Year Survey of Rural Challenges poster as one of only 16 poster sessions for their event in June/July.
Recent podcasts and media appearances
- We’ve both been on the Rural Strong podcast with Joe Barker recently. Becky is on Season 1 Episode 31, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQNRhhBO9dg&t=9s and
- Deb’s episode is Season 1 Episode 34, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ensEu1HRHok
- Becky also joined Dennis Fraise from Develop This! Podcast to talk about making any community Idea Friendly. https://developthis.libsyn.com/dt-619-how-to-make-any-community-idea-friendly-with-becky-mccray
- Deb joined Brandon Burton at Chamber Chat on 2/24; find it 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 and creating all kinds of beautification projects by using the book.
- 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! email deb@saveyour.town
Becky’s Schedule
I’m just back from the Steaks and Stems Dinner for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Yorkton, Canada, February 10, 2026 (Canadian Ag Day!)
Here’s what’s coming up:
Community Foundation Forum, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Hays, Kansas, March 2026 (this event is invitation-only)
Oklahoma State University, Rural Economic Development course with Prof. Brian Whitacre, guest lecturer on the Idea Friendly Method, in Stillwater, April 2, 2026
Tentative:
Spring Conference, League of Oregon Cities, keynote and and workshop, April 23-24, 2026 – just working out final details now
I have some time available for summer events, surprisingly. If you’re looking at late May through August, hit me up!
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 – this is a reschedule from last year, so we hope we can make it all work this time.
Downtown Yorkton SK Canada. Photo by Becky McCray
Deb’s Schedule
I just returned from Natchez, MS where I spoke at The Local Revolution: How You Can Save Your Small Town weekend event.
Presentations coming up:
- Business of Art – Iowa Arts, March 6-7, Ames, Iowa. Topic: Success Economic Development Involves the Arts
- ARCIT: Assn of Rural Communities in Texas Annual Conference, April 24 & 25 – Granbury TX. Keynote: Building Our Communities, 11 True Stories
- San Juan County, Utah, Economic Development Innovative Rural Business Models and Focus on Entrepreneurs Webinars Second and Third Quarter Trainings
Cohort:
- May and June, 2026 Together in Action: Make Collaboration Happen in Your Town, with Dakota Resources Registration opens in March; details are coming.
Inquiries and tentative items in progress include:
- Rural Exchange event, July
- Moshannon Valley, PA Project
- A community visit in Minnesota, this fall
- Micro-communities Arts event, 2027
Currently, the fall months have openings. Let’s have a conversation about your event or idea! Just hit reply.
Joe Smith from www.BlackNatchez.org holding my book as he introduces me at the Local Revolution event.
