Chamber spotlight honor goes to Cultivating Rural Leaders

Andy Long of Cultivating Rural Leaders was present at the monthly chamber meeting on Thursday May 20 where he was recognized as May’s business spotlight. 

Cultivate Rural Leaders was founded as a 501(c)3 in 2018 by Andy Long with an initial board of directors that also included Grant alum Craig Softley.

Long said the purpose of the business was to provide leadership education to rural communities through community leadership programs and customized leadership training.

 “It also provides facilitation for rural communities to help strength community capacity,” he said. 

Cultivate Rural Leadership provided the community leadership program in Grant that started in the fall of 2019. It is currently working with a grant the library received to have importance conversations and develop a plan to improve local housing.

The current board of directors includes Andy Long, Bonnie Kruse, Dawson Brunswick, Charlie McPherson, Ben Dutton, and Craig Softley

“The target customers are rural communities in southwest Nebraska, northeast Colorado, and northwest Kansas,” Long said. 

Cultivating Rural Leaders currently has zero employees. “All work is done on a volunteer basis or through independent contractors,” Long said. 

“The organization will continue to look for opportunities to assist area communities and leaders with community and individual development. 

“Hopefully, the next Grant community leadership class can start in the fall of 2022 or 2023 based on demand. Cultivate Rural Leaders is partnering with University of Nebraska Extension to host the first Cultivate Rural Leaders Symposium, November 19 in McCook,” Long said.