The Commission holds in-person gatherings in rural communities across the country to hear directly from residents and observe local conditions firsthand. Each visit will last two to three days and include public field hearings, community listening sessions, and on-site visits.
Over the course of two years, the Commission will conduct six field hearings, including one international visit. Each visit will result in a published summary on the Brookings website and will offer an opportunity for the Commission to share its work with the public.
North Dakota and Minnesota visits spotlight rural innovation, connectivity, and capacity as foundations for prosperity
America’s Rural Future’s October 2025 public field hearings showcased local leadership and community priorities. Over three days, a group of Commission members met with state and tribal leaders, business owners, and local officials. They examined how technology, infrastructure, and capital can anchor rural prosperity for future generations. The Commission hosted four public hearings—two at Grand Farm Innovation Campus in Casselton and two on the White Earth Reservation.
Mississippi Delta site visits underscore trusted local leadership, access to capital, and institutional innovation and capacity as critical to rural development
America’s Rural Future’s March 2026 visit to the Mississippi Delta showcased local creativity and innovation, institutional resilience, and a deep cultural legacy. Over three days, Commission members met with residents, business owners, educators, students, health providers, pastors, public officials, and community development leaders to examine how access to capital, community institutions, and public investment shape economic, health, and educational outcomes across the Delta.