Rural Innovators Initiative

Rural Innovators recognized for making a positive impact in their rural communities.

A call to action was launched for Americans to nominate Rural Innovators in their communities. 

Rural Innovators

We are proud to uplift the stories of extraordinary rural leaders, who are taking action and ensuring their communities thrive for generations to come. Hundreds of nominations were received and in December 2024, the 14 Rural Innovators were recognized from across the country who are making a positive impact in their rural communities. 

In rural communities across the country, everyday Americans are leveraging federal resources to create good-paying jobs, spur economic growth and stability, and improve the quality of life of their family and neighbors. From building safe roads and bridges, to expanding clean, affordable and reliable energy, and increasing access to markets and competition for farmers and producers – together, we are ensuring that rural Americans do not have to leave home to find opportunity.

These rural innovators are making a difference in their communities and we celebrate their accomplishments as they build strong community infrastructure, a strong workforce and a strong future.

 Learn more about the Rural Innovators

  • Sylandi Brown
    Sylandi Brown
    Board Member, Pulaski County Board of Education (Georgia)
  • Kristina Cannon
    Kristina Cannon
    President & CEO, Main Street Skowhegan (Maine)
  • Jeremiah Clever
    Jeremiah Clever
    Former President, CWA Broadband Apprenticeship Lead-Idaho (Idaho)
  • Jill Dunham
    Jill Dunham
    Broadband Project Manager, Allegan County Govt.(Michigan)
  • Rick Erickson
    Rick Erickson
    Rick Erickson, Retired Teacher, Bayfield High School (Wisconsin)
  • Luis Omar García
    Luis Omar García
    President, Unidos por la Comunidad Arenas (Puerto Rico)
  • Jennifer Gauthier
    Jennifer Gauthier
    Director, College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute (Me
  • Nick Hernandez
    Nick Hernandez
    CEO & Founder, Makoce Agriculture Development (Pine Ridge Indian Reservatio
  • Michael Jefferson
    Michael Jefferson
    Cut One School One Youth Crime Intervention (Mississippi)
  • Erin Martin
    Erin Martin
    Farmer & Owner, Footprints in the Garden (North Carolina)
  • Ted Matthews
    Ted Matthews
    Administrator & CEO, Anson General Hospital (Texas)
  • Sarah Meitner
    Sarah Meitner
    Executive Director, Heartland Community Foundation (Kansas)
  • Alexis Racelis
    Alexis Racelis
    Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (Texas)
  • Nancy X. Valentine
    Nancy X. Valentine
    Artist & Executive Director of Kaddatz Galleries (Minnesota)