👋Hi from the Second Rural Progress Summit!

During the OCP Summit, we will hear from incredible speakers on key issues including rural health care, affordable housing crisis in rural America, keeping American democracy safe, the next Farm Bill, and more.

Day 1 Highlights:

• Thought leaders and industry insiders, including White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu, Comcast's Tuck Rainwater, and Reshoring Initiative's Harry Moser discussed the impact of the Infrastructure Law, American Rescue Plan, CHIPs Act, and Inflation Reduction Act on rural America.
• Impact Social led an illuminating talk about how social media in rural versus urban areas reveal differing perceptions of Americans' finances.
• OCP founder, Heidi Heitkamp, spoke with NARAL's Angela Vasquez-Giroux and Lincoln Park Strategies President Stefan Hankin about how the reversal of Roe v. Wade is impacting rural healthcare.
• OCP board members Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-AL), Rep. Ashton Clemmons (D-NC), and Rep. J.D. Scholten (D-IA) joined Rep. Josh Boschee (D-ND), Rep. Adam Zabner (D-IA), and State Sen. Grant Hauschild (D-MN) to discuss how state politics and elections shape the safety and future of rural areas. 
• Two-time Emmy-nominated director and executive producer Eternal Polk joined OCP to give a keynote address on his film,Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land, which examines how Black Americans lost of millions of acres of farmland due to the Heirs' Property law, and how landowners are reclaiming their agricultural legacy to create paths to generational wealth.

Tomorrow, the dialogue continues with Audra Mulkern. Audra is changing the way we see the people who grow our food. She founded “The Female Farmer Project™” – a multi-platform and award winning documentary project that chronicles the rise of women working in agriculture around the world. From in-depth stories, personal essays, photographic portraits, a podcast and actively working to pass legislation on behalf of farmers and farmworkers -- the project gives a powerful voice to the fastest growing demographic in agriculture-- the female farmer. Audra is a James Beard nominee, writer, photographer, TEDx and international keynote speaker.

Don't miss any more of the action. You can still RSVP for tomorrow's sessions!