This session details the Moving Waseca FORWARDproject, a year-long rural workforce development initiative. The project brought together diverse stakeholders (education, business, government) using a cross-sector collaborative approach to address local workforce needs. Leveraging existing curriculum, the initiative formed task forces focused on agriculture and healthcare to improve career pathway awareness and communication. Presented by Extension educators and a key community partner, this session will share practical lessons on facilitating effective cross-sector partnerships and data-driven community development strategies in a small rural setting.
Key insights will include the value of creating a dedicated space for collaboration, strategies for balancing external data with local lived experiences, and lessons learned on empowering local leadership. Featuring community perspectives and initial results from our 6-month evaluation, this session offers practical, transferable strategies for forging effective cross-sector partnerships to navigate community change.
