Rural life leaders focus on entrepreneurial spirit in rural America

Published: 2004-11-11

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- More than 70 members of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference met in St. Louis Nov. 5-6 to hear a hope-filled message about the quality of life in agricultural areas. The organization's 81st anniversary and annual gathering carried the theme "The Entrepreneurial Spirit." The organization, which was founded in St. Louis, has its executive offices in Des Moines, Iowa. "In the past we've focused on solving problems, but for this one we wanted to focus on celebrating creative and innovative possibilities," Holy Cross Brother David Andrews, the conference's executive director, told the St. Louis Review, archdiocesan newspaper. "There are a lot of possibilities out there. The church has a big role in helping people on the road to hope," he added during a break in the Nov. 6 presentations. The conference's Web site, www.ncrlc.com, states that the organization supports "rural people, family farms and local businesses that promote sustainable community development."

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .