How can rural areas respond to these challenges? And are our rural communities robust enough to meet the structural changes that lie ahead?
To help debate some of these questions, The Soil Association, Land for People community land trust, Little Red Bus Network and The Plunkett Foundation (ViRSA) will all be
facilitating workshops at ruralnet|2008. These interactive workshops will stimulate delegates to explore how rural communities can respond to a changing future by embracing the opportunities that lie in 
re-invigorating localism within our rural areas; Local Food, Local Ownership, Local Transport and Local Retail will all be discussed, along with further workshops on Local Energy and Local ICT.
Charlotte Foster, Community Retail Adviser ViRSA (Village Retail Services Association)
“I’m looking forward to facilitating a workshop for ruralnet|2008. In particular, I hope the participants will learn more about the social benefits of community ownership and the support that ViRSA offers to rural communities.”
ruralnet|uk CEO, Simon Berry:
“Working in partnership with Yorkshire Forward, we are delighted to be bringing the conference to the North Yorkshire market town of Skipton. We have developed a programme of plenary sessions we think are essential to stimulate and motivate. We are offering a choice of workshops exploring in more detail the opportunities that ‘local’ can present. The interactive and stimulating programme will feature valuable networking time as well, which features a Live & Local ‘unplugged’ session.”
Andy Tordoff, Head of Rural Renaissance at Yorkshire Forward:
“We are pleased to welcome the ruralnet conference back to the region.
Their commitment to developing the skills and knowledge needed to support our rural areas is very valuable, both regionally and nationally. We’re particularly pleased to know that much of our support is being invested back into the region, through ruralnet’s policy of locating in a market town and sourcing goods and services locally. Plus it’s yet another chance to show off our wonderful region, and some of Yorkshire Forwards good work, to the rest of the UK.”
Please use the details below to find out more: http://conference.ruralnet.org.uk/book-now/
t: 
01633 411413
e. conference@ruralnetuk.org