2025 Rural Summit
2025 Rural Summit: Elevating Maryland through Stronger Rural Communities
November 19 and 20, 2025 | DoubleTree by Hilton Annapolis | Annapolis, Maryland
View the 2025 Rural Summit program here.
Click here to access speaker bios.
The 2025 Rural Summit, “Elevating Maryland through Stronger Rural Communities,” was held on Wednesday and Thursday, November 19 and 20, 2025, at The DoubleTree Annapolis. This two-day gathering featured in-depth conversations on key rural priorities and offered attendees opportunities for collaboration, networking, and shared learning to support the continued growth and vitality of Maryland’s rural communities.
Prior to the summit, a Health-Focused Bus Tour was held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in recognition of National Rural Health Day. Participants visited Choptank Community Health System’s new Federalsburg Health Center, For All Seasons in Easton, and the University of Maryland’s new Easton Hospital building site. The tour highlighted innovative approaches to improving health and wellness, emphasized the importance of accessible, community-based health and behavioral health services, and showcased successful partnerships and investments that advanced rural health across the state.
Following the tour, the Rural Maryland Council (RMC) held our Annual Dinner and Rural Impact Awards Ceremony at The DoubleTree Annapolis. Highlights of the evening included the election of board members, the presentation of the annual report, a recap of activities for 2025, and an overview of upcoming events for 2026. Dinner was provided, and the program also featured the 2025 Maryland Rural Impact Awards, honoring individuals and organizations that demonstrated outstanding service to Maryland’s rural communities.
The 2025 Rural Summit continued on Thursday, November 20, with a full day of engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and collaborative discussions designed to strengthen and support Maryland’s rural communities.
RMC extends its sincere gratitude to all attendees, speakers, and sponsors who helped make the 2025 Rural Summit possible. Your participation, insight, and support were instrumental in fostering meaningful dialogue and advancing the shared goal of strengthening Maryland’s rural communities. We appreciate your commitment and look forward to continuing this important work together.
As we plan for future events, please take a moment to complete the event survey. Your feedback matters and helps us continue to improve the Rural Summit experience for all participants. Click here to access the survey.
2025 Rural Summit PowerPoint Presentations
Agriculture
Growing Opportunities: Value-Added Agriculture and Agritourism
Feeding the Future: Collaborative Approaches to Food System Development
Navigating Data and Defending Maryland Agriculture
Community Development
Connecting Communities: Pathways to Rural Resilience
Exploring Pathways to Homeownership in Rural Maryland
What We Build Together Sustains Us: The Origin and Future of Chesapeake Heartland
Economic Development
Building Vibrant Communities Through Recreation
Inclusive Rural Communities: Embracing Autism and Developmental Disabilities
Health Care
✨ Many Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors ✨
Rural Champion
Maryland State Office of Rural Health
Rural Supporter
University of Maryland Extension • Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Rural Advocate
Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO)
• Benedictine• Maryland Broadband Cooperative • Harford County Government
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension • Farm Credit
Rural Contributor
Maryland Rural Water Association (MRWA)
Rural Associate
Comcast Business • Aging at Home Solution • Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation (MAEF)
• Beach to Bay Heritage Area • Maryland General Assembly • Maryland Department of Commerce
• Kent County Economic and Tourism Development • Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore (TCCLES)
• Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology • Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC)
• Southern Maryland National Heritage Area • Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC)
• Mid-Shore Regional Council (MSRC) • Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland (TCCSMD)
• Upper Shore Regional Council (USRC) • Delmarva Chicken Association (DCA)
• Tri-County Council for Western Maryland (TCCWMD) • Beacon at Salisbury University
• River & Roads Consulting • Energy Select LLC • Woodvalley Community Services
Rural Friend
Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) • Rise Up Coffee • Rural Health Information Hub • Easton Utilities
• Garrett County Health Department • AHEC West • Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
• Western Maryland Regional Library • Health Tech Alley Inc • Oak Grove Strategies