March 7, 2003

 

Conference to Highlight Creating Rural Businesses and New Profitability for Farms

A dismal agricultural economy. Loss of jobs. Outmigration. Shrinking rural communities. This situation may typify much of rural North Dakota, but it actually describes the conditions in Canadian, Texas, just a few years ago. Canadian, a town of 1500 located in the panhandle of Texas, was in the throes of a declining oil and gas industry and a struggling agriculture economy. As residents, many of them young, left town in search of brighter futures, the outlook for Canadian appeared grim. But Canadian had treasures which residents took for granted – the high plains wildlife, native plants, and a rural ranch culture.

Canadian today has developed a unique co-op structure to capitalize on their natural and cultural resources through tourism. In five years, 150 jobs have been added and Canadian is considered a thriving community. Additionally, residents are preserving their way of life and assuring a future for their children.

Remelle Farrar is director of the Texas Prairie Rivers Project and will detail the phenomenal turnaround of Canadian during the Alternative Enterprise and Rural Tourism Conference at the Garrison City Auditorium on April 3. Attendees will recognize the similarities of rural North Dakota to Canadian and gain insight to its model for prosperity. The conference begins with registration at 8 a.m. and the program begins at 9 a.m. CT.

Also appearing is Ann Hoffert of Carrington. Hoffert is the owner/operator of Pipestem Creek which produces SunFlorals and SunFeeders. The products she has developed and sells nationally have been featured on "Martha Stewart Living" and regional publications. Ann will describe the development and growth of her business as an example for other rural entrepreneurs to consider.

In addition, several successful rural North Dakota businesses will be featured including Thunderbird Ranch, Mother of Eight, Logging Camp Ranch, Direct Line, and Dakota Adventures. As case studies in developing rural business enterprises, these businesses will offer a multitude of ideas for those beginning a rural enterprise or just thinking about it.

Registration for the conference is $15 with no pre-registration required. For additional information, contact: Tom Hanson (701) 857-7679.

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Source: Tom Hanson, (701) 857-7679, thanson@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu