•Responsible for involving the community in research on rural issues.•Administrator for the committee that assesses research proposals submitted by both community and academic researchers. •Research coordinator – mentoring a summer student research assistant.•Organization of webinars/speakers on rural issues.•General networking to increase RDI’s presence in the rural community.•Writing the community outreach annual report.

•Assisted in conducting case studies on 3 bulk food processing companies in Manitoba with funding from MAFRD (Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development). •Scheduled, conducted, and analysed interviews and assisted in writing the final report.•Part of a research group that presented to senior government officials (the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development) regarding suggested policy implementations of the northern milk study conducted in Manitoba

•Representation to the secretariat of participants and institutions involved in the RPLC.•Developing new networking opportunities for students, faculty and policy analysts in international agencies like OECD and the UN.•Project development – increasing collaboration and funding opportunities with national and international research centres, government agencies and members.•Compiling team work plans (updates, progress, newsletters).•Organizing and attending events (meetings, conferences) as well as producing marketing materials.•Editing projects (literature reviews, policy briefs) and contributing to secretariat reports.

•Assisted in coordinating the most successful festival to date – 700+ attendees.•Represented the organization in the community by acting as community liaison to reach out and partner with other community groups, businesses and potential financial supporters of the festival.•Organized youth volunteer groups; developing outlines for group oriented activities directly related to the set-up, implementation and tear down of the festival.•Working on site as an activities coordinator; implementation of programming and hospitality before, during, and after the festival.•General festival administration; social media and promotions, connecting with vendors and farmer’s market coordination.