2026 IU Rural Conference to explore issues and opportunities shaping rural Indiana

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement will host its eighth annual IU Rural Conference on May 19 and 20, 2026, at French Lick Resort. The event will convene community and state leaders, residents, professionals and IU partners to spark new possibilities for building a more vibrant and resilient future across the state.

The conference will provide a space for participants to share ideas, build partnerships and explore opportunities to strengthen Indiana’s rural communities. It will feature 24 breakout sessions, a poster session, networking opportunities and a performance by community arts and education organization Reimagining Opera for Kids.

On May 19, IU Bloomington Chancellor David A. Reingold will deliver opening remarks. Elijah Howe, executive director of the Community-Engaged Alliance and an associate faculty member at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, will present a keynote address. Their remarks will explore the role of community-engaged learning and higher education in strengthening partnerships, expanding opportunity and building local capacity.

On May 20, Center for Rural Engagement Executive Director Kyla Cox Deckard will deliver opening remarks, followed by a keynote speech from Philip Barash and Lucas Cowan of Public Sphere Projects. Their talk will explore how local participation, mutual assistance and the simple act of showing up for one another are foundations of a thriving community.

“The IU Rural Conference is the premier event convening Indiana’s leaders and residents focused on rural issues spanning health, quality of place and community resilience,” said Kyla Cox Deckard, Center for Rural Engagement executive director. "The conference provides a springboard for rural collaboration and innovation that supports a thriving future for Indiana."

On May 19, attendees will have the opportunity to visit Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition on display at the Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Center for Rural Engagement will provide shuttle vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis at its information table.

The first day will also feature a lunch panel with student leaders from Bring Change to Mind, highlighting ways rural high schoolers are using everyday dialogue to dismantle mental health stigma and cultivate a deeper sense of belonging among their peers.

On May 20, sessions will highlight topics including best practices for the local distribution of opioid settlement funds, led by partners from Indiana University and the City of Jasper to offer a roadmap for communities across Indiana. Additional sessions will feature a presentation from Indiana Landmarks on the role of historic preservation in supporting rural revitalization.

A lunch panel on May 20 will explore how Hoosiers are working across agriculture, business, grassroots efforts and faith-based initiatives to build a more resilient future in rural communities.

Select sessions have been approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the School of Social Work and for Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECHs) for Certified Health Education Specialists through Prevention Insights at Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington.

Doors open at 8 a.m. for breakfast, and sessions begin at 9 a.m. Tickets are $120 for both days and $75 for a single day, which includes meals and materials.

A limited number of scholarships are available for those who could not otherwise attend. Contact iucre@iu.edu for more information.

The full conference schedule and registration is available at go.iu.edu/2026rural.