Rural
Renaissance
Roadshow
November 10-12, 2025 | Opelika, Alabama
Join local leaders and energy innovators transforming rural communities.
Rural Renaissance
Roadshow 2025
Groundswell’s annual Rural Renaissance Roadshow brings together rural leaders from across the U.S. to share knowledge, forge partnerships, and bring resources back to hard-working communities. The Roadshow equips attendees to build strong, locally led futures through inspiration, education, and hands-on sessions, including opportunities to learn more about funding and technical support. This year, we’re heading to Opelika, Alabama, where attendees will spend two and a half days connecting and seeing the work in action.
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Attendees
Program Tracks
Sessions
Keynotes
2025 PROGRAM TRACKS
Rural Energy Systems
Rural Food Systems
Rural Water Systems
Rural Housing and Health
2025 SPEAKERS
Andrew Freear
Director, Rural Studio
Adaora Ifebigh
Senior Director, Community Impact, Sol Systems, LLC
Autumn Long
Director, Appalachian Solar Finance Fund, Appalachian Voices
Bryan Cordell
Executive Director, The Sustainability Institute
Hannah Shultz
Program Director, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light
Hope Florence Cupit
CEO of Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SERCAP)
Jaceey Sebastian
Councilman, City of South Fulton, Georgia, District 4
Kristen Powers
Executive Director, Benevolence Farms
Become a Sponsor
Groundswell’s core values include respect, integrity, excellence, taking care of each other, driving transformative change, and serving people and communities with joy. We believe that service is a privilege, not a chore, and our team works with and for people in the communities we serve to create resilient systems and transformative change.
WEBINARS
LATEST NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
Opening Celebration of Local Leadership, Rural Power, and Tribal Sovereignty
Two weeks ago, Groundswell hosted our third annual Rural Renaissance Roadshow in Auburn and Opelika, Alabama. Themed “Resilience by Design," The Roadshow brought together 200+ people involved in resilience projects across East Alabama, West Georgia, the greater Southeast, and communities nationwide.
Rural Renaissance Roadshow 2025: Building Resilience and Getting Good Stuff Done Together
The countdown is on! In just 18 days, rural leaders, innovators, and community champions will gather in Opelika, Alabama for the Rural Renaissance Roadshow (Nov. 10–12, 2025) – and we want YOU to be a part of it!
Invitation from the CEO: A Call to Unity
It’s a tough time to talk about unity, but that word has been on my heart since the beginning of this year. We all know “a house divided cannot stand,” but how can we begin to put the pieces back together again?
Groundswell’s Rural Renaissance Roadshow to Kick-Off with Celebration of Rural Communities Featuring Nashville Musician Jervis Campbell
The Auburn/Opelika community will play host to an exciting kickoff event as acclaimed Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jervis Campbell takes the stage at Auburn University’s Alfa Pavilion on November 10, setting the tone for Groundswell’s 2025 Rural Renaissance Roadshow.
You’re Invited!
This fall, rural leaders from across the country will gather in Opelika, Alabama, for an unforgettable experience of connection, collaboration, and community power. The 2025 Rural Renaissance Roadshow, hosted by Groundswell, is more than a conference – it’s a catalyst for action. Join more than 200 local leaders working to design resilient futures rooted in local leadership and lasting impact.
What do a Farmer, an Investment Banker, and a Former Diplomat Have in Common?
Quite a lot, as it turns out, including a resolute commitment to rebuild Rural America, which they’ll explore together as the lunchtime keynote panel at this year’s Roadshow.
Register Now: Webinar on Community-Driven Resilience Planning
Groundswell is excited to share big news for rural communities in Indiana. As a technical partner with Solar Opportunities Indiana (SOI), Indiana University’s (IU) Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) is supporting rural towns in Indiana to develop solar and battery storage projects eligible for $16 million in funding from a grant stewarded by SOI.
Director of Auburn University’s Rural Studio, Andrew Freear, to deliver keynote at Rural Renaissance Roadshow
The 2025 Rural Renaissance Roadshow is coming to Opelika, Alabama, November 10-12, bringing together more than 200 local leaders from across the nation focused on rural resilience in energy, food, water, and healthy housing systems. Andrew Freear, Director of Auburn University’s acclaimed Rural Studio, will kick off the conference with an opening keynote address on resilience by design – the theme of this year’s Roadshow.
Register Now: Celebrating 100 Homes Repaired with SOUL: Efficiency for Affordability
Groundswell is celebrating our 100th home repair through the Save On Utilities Long-term (SOUL) program, and the first in Alabama. Join us for a special webinar highlighting how the SOUL program is cutting electricity bills by 30% or more for families in the rural South while preserving housing and strengthening communities.
The Roadshow is Heading to Opelika, AL
Surrounded by the beauty of the forest and Lake Saugahatchee, the Marriott Resort and Spa at Grand National has something for the whole family! Come early or stay late to hit a few balls at the Grand National Golf Course or on the Marriott’s tennis and pickleball courts. Whether you’d rather relax by the pool or enjoy the walking trails, there’s something for everyone at the Marriott Resort & Spa at Grand National.