Supporting Thriving & Resilient CommunitieS
Wisconsin’s voice for collaborative action on issues to support rural communities!
Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. (WRP) was created in 1992 under the National Initiative on Rural America which established a state-by-state network to improve the coordination of rural development programs and serve as a catalyst for future initiatives. During the ensuing 30 years, WRP has been a dynamic and non-partisan forum for identifying, discussing, and addressing issues affecting rural areas.
As Wisconsin’s federally designated Rural Development council, WRP embraces a comprehensive approach to rural development through collaboration and cooperation among a wide array of partners including local, state, tribal, and federal governments, as well as for-profit businesses and nonprofit private sector organizations.
Simply stated, WRP strives to improve the quality of life in rural Wisconsin. WRP is uniquely positioned to sponsor and promote collaborative activities designed to address issues of rural importance. Since its inception, WRP has built a solid profile of rural leadership that is grounded by its work in local communities and extends to collaborative partnerships across a wide spectrum of communities and organizations.
WRP has designed and implemented highly effective programming to identify and address key issues that impact rural life. The portfolio of events includes:
- 4 annual Small Community forums;
- Town-by-town community development listening and planning forums;
- Annual statewide Rural Summit conference;
- Top Rural Development Initiative awards; and
- State of Rural Wisconsin - a compendium of rural Wisconsin data.
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History Since December 1992, the organization has served as Wisconsin’s state rural development council (SRDC) through a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Agriculture. WRP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that brings together a cross section of residents, organizations and leaders that cross political affiliations and organizational boundaries to advance initiatives important to rural communities throughout the state. From community centered initiatives that build upon local citizen-based efforts, to an annual statewide Summit, WRP is focused on addressing issues and building collaboration between community, state, federal, nonprofit, and private sector leaders. WRP has designed and implemented highly effective programming to identify and address key issues that impact rural life for more than 25 years. Wisconsin Rural Partners actively promotes economic, social and community development for rural Wisconsin. WRP is a member of National Rural Development Partnership and Partners for Rural America. Advocate WRP is an active advocate for locally-based solutions focused on core issues and opportunities. WRP encourages private/public partnerships for sustainable rural community development. We foster and celebrate local initiatives and projects that promote stewardship and expansion of community and natural resources including:
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