Facilitation Plan: What is the Future of Rural Life in America? (IF)

4/7/2025

In a society driven by mass consumerism and production, it's easy to overlook the role of farmers and rural communities in making convenience accessible to many people. The Interactivity Foundation’s “What is the Future of Rural Life in America?” is a facilitation guide designed to encourage discussion about the current state of rural living, agricultural values, and potential directions for the future of rural communities. The guide features three discussion topics, each with a round-robin discussion, an open discussion, and a wrap-up section that fosters perspective sharing and collaboration. By the end of the forum, participants will have gained a deeper understanding of rural life and developed the skills to collaborate with diverse viewpoints in exploring sustainable approaches for rural living. A link is also provided where facilitators and participants can submit feedback on the resource. Read more in the post below.

Read more about the issue guide:

What do people truly understand about rural life in America? Agriculture is essential for sustaining human life, yet the individuals who perform this work and the methods they use are often overlooked. Many people believe that small family farms are responsible for feeding America and the world, but there is limited understanding of farm sizes, the broader agriculture industry, and the realities of farming communities. What challenges do farming communities face? How do farming practices impact everyone? How might these practices change in the future? These are the questions explored in this series.

Related Materials Available:
https://www.interactivityfoundation.org/discussions/agri-culture-the-future-of-rural-life/

Agri-Culture & Future of Farming: An Interactivity Foundation Discussion Guidebook (Downloadable PDF below)
Facebook Group on Agri-Culture:
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1005476382801088/

Resource URL:
https://www.interactivityfoundation.org/facilitation-plan/what-is-the-future-of-rural-life-in-america/

About the Interactivity Foundation (IF):
The Interactivity Foundation (IF) is a non-advocacy and non-partisan operating foundation. The abbreviation “IF” reflects the core motif of exploring possibilities and asking, “what if…?” For decades, IF has been strengthening democracy through discussion by bringing people together around emerging issues of shared public concern.

The foundation facilitates meaningful discussions that expand imagination, build social trust, and enhance the discussion skills necessary for everyday democracy. Its discussion design and resources empower individuals to engage in democratic discussions within communities, classrooms, and workplaces. IF envisions a future where everyone has the opportunity and the discussion skills to come together, explore emerging concerns, and co-imagine pathways forward.