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The NC Rural Center is accepting applications for the next Homegrown Leaders Central training in Albemarle on April 8-10. Eligible applicants must live in or work in the central North Carolina counties highlighted on the map shown.
Homegrown Leaders is a three-day regional leadership and community economic development training that brings the foundations of the Rural Center’s flagship Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI) program to rural communities.
Participating leaders will gain an understanding of the importance of applying a regional lens to build long-term solutions to common problems and innovative opportunities for growth. Participants will also examine the building blocks of community economic development, learn collaborative leadership skills, explore emotional intelligence and learn strategies for leading difficult conversations.
“Leadership development has been a core part of our work for more than 35 years,” said NC Rural Center President Patrick Woodie. “And now more than ever, our rural communities need leaders who can connect and collaborate across county lines.”
The application period will be open through March 3. Applicants accepted into the program will be notified by March 7. Accepted applicants will be expected to register and pay the registration fee of $1,000 no later than March 21. Limited scholarships are available. Training will be at the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena, 26130 Newt Road, Albemarle.
“We are excited to welcome another group of current and emerging leaders to complete the Homegrown Leaders training and join our extensive network of leadership alumni across the state,” NC Rural Center Director of Leadership Training Olaunda Green said. “By equipping rural leaders, we empower them with the resources needed to have the greatest impact on their communities.”
Since 1987, the NC Rural Center has worked to improve the quality of life for the state’s rural people and places. Its mission is to develop, promote and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. The center serves the state’s 78 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.