By: Jonathan Evans
On Monday, January 27, 2025, the Winston County Self-Help Cooperative (WCSHC) proudly hosted its annual Save Rural America Conference at the WCSHC flagship building in Louisville, Mississippi. This year’s event featured our youth group, which showcased their growing involvement in the cooperative’s initiatives.
The conference brought together a diverse group of partners, including Alcorn State University, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks (MDWFP), The Federation of Southern Co-ops, the Mississippi Forestry Commission, the Mississippi State Extension, and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Each organization contributed valuable insights, focusing on educating our youth about opportunities in agriculture and life beyond high school.
The Save Rural America Conference remains one of WCSHC’s flagship projects. It is designed to highlight the wealth of opportunities agriculture offers rural communities. Too often, young people graduate high school without a clear plan for their future—whether pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or exploring vocational training. This conference underscores the importance of guiding our youth toward fruitful and promising paths.
At WCSHC, we firmly believe investing in our youth is essential to preserving rural traditions and ensuring a sustainable future. After all, the knowledge we pass on today shapes the leaders of tomorrow.
View photos from this event here.
