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Our mission is to enable farmers, ranchers, and rural communities to thrive in the 21st Century by developing programs that enhance their economic viability and secure the health of the land. We accomplish this through collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
Our vision is that farms, ranches and rural communities in the Northern Plains and Northern Rockies are economically viable, are integral to sustainable food systems, are enhancing the health of the land and open space, and are valued as a critical part of the fabric of the national community and culture.
The Rural Landscape Institute is funded entirely by grants and contributions from individuals and organizations. If you would like to support us, click on the Donate button to the left or send a check to the address below.
In 2004, inspired by their passion for rural sustainability, Bill Bryan and Bill Cook formed the Cook Center for Sustainable Agriculture in the American West. It was a small organization with the goal of being a proactive, collaborative force in agriculture. As time went on, the organization’s interests expanded and evolved and it was decided that a new name was needed to reflect this change.
In January 2007, the Cook Center was renamed The Rural Landscape Institute –
A Catalyst for Food and Agricultural Integrity in the American West (RLI). The organization, located in Bozeman, Montana, focuses on issues that affect sustainable agriculture and food security throughout the West. RLI continues to work on projects started under the Cook Center such as Owning Eden, 21st Century Ranch Manager Training, Open Gates and the Farm & Ranch Recreation Resource Center. It has expanded its areas of interest to include projects on rural-urban connections, rural economic development, local food systems, and climate change and agriculture.
The Rural Landscape Institute is the assumed name for the Responsible Rural Initiatives Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
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