IOWA

The IRDC was created as part of an Executive Order and ensuing Farm Bill in 1992. It received federal funding for many years and was later housed in the Iowa Department of Economic Development. But both state and federal funding dissolved and the group has operated informally without paid staff since 2005... In 2016, the IRDC hosted the first-ever Iowa Rural Summit, bringing together 300 individuals from more than 60 rural communities. That event sparked a resurgence in interest among rural advocates and convinced IRDC partners, who include federal and state agencies, Regents' institutions and community colleges, utilities, non-profits and statewide associations, to revitalize the Council's ability to support rural development... "This is an organization that has impacted rural Iowa for a quarter century and is positioned now to do more," said IRDC chair Sandy Ehrig, who runs the Iowa Farm Bureau's "Renew Rural Iowa" program. "Our rural summit in Jefferson last year was a big step..