Ogallala Commons conference at CSC on Wednesday
A conference designed to encourage young people to discover what are described as “the excellent job opportunities that exist in small towns,” will be Wednesday, Oct. 11, in the Student Center at Chadron State College.
The conference is being sponsored by Ogallala Commons and Chadron State. The theme is “Commonwealth and Communities…Understanding Key Assets (…and How to Find a Job Working On Them!)”
The conference aims to benefit not only college students, but also interested citizens and rural community leaders in the tri-state area.
Darryl Birkenfeld of Nazareth, Texas, director of Ogallala Commons, describes commonwealths as endowments “things like water, soil, education, wildlife, health, food, history, arts and energy.” He said they are gifts that form the resource base and quality of life in any community.
“If these commonwealths are squandered or depleted, then communities become locked in cycles of decline. On the other hand, when communities can preserve, invest in and grow these commonwealths, then residents find hope, build creative businesses and work toward a desired quality of life,” said Birkenfeld. “The Ogallala Commons board of directors is made up of people who live in small towns and, at the conference, will be sharing what they have done to create jobs in the High Plains.”
The conference will begin at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast. The morning will also include short presentations plus a Commonwealths Fair where participants can visit a variety of displays and learn more about what communities have to offer.
After lunch, the conference will offer seven workshops on topics such as Renewable Energy and Strawbale Construction, Water Festivals, HomeTown Competitiveness, Regional Food Cooperatives, Nurturing Community Arts, Documenting Local History and Creating Agri-Tourism and Heritage Festivals.
Registration for the conference, which includes the continental breakfast and lunch is $25, payable at the door. High school and college students may attend the conference without charge.
Ogallala Commons is a resource development network for the High Plains-Ogallala Aquifer region. Its goals include offering leadership and education to generate commonwealth and to build thriving communities.
Category: Campus News