Hay Springs
Hay Springs is located in Sheridan County in Northwest Nebraska. This small village is home to over 650 people. The people of Hay Springs are fortunate to be surrounded by nature in the Pine Ridge area and are lucky to get to see and experience the beautiful scenery as seasons change. The people in Hay Springs are working to expand the good fortune from their surroundings by developing a tourism plan that will become a thriving industry within the community. Hay Springs and the surrounding area have much to offer to tourists and residents alike.
This summer, citizens from Hay Springs teamed with the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative in a pilot program in youth and community development called Dialogues Across Nebraska (DAN). The goal of the project was to encourage community dialogue using an intergenerational approach that focused discussion on one real community issue and encouraged the exchange of ideas from everyone who volunteers. DAN is a tool Hay Springs can use in the future to address issues that may affect the community.
Two student interns with the Rural Initiative worked with community volunteers to prepare for the dialogue event. The process included building community capacity by training the leadership team and adult partners in the dialogue process. The leadership team then learned to facilitate the dialogue event. Involving youth on the leadership team is a good way to begin building a strong community future. The leadership team was trained how to facilitate the dialogue, and team members are ready to facilitate future dialogues.
The Hay Springs dialogue was a successful event because many people felt youth and community development are important. Local businesses shared support for the event by sponsoring supplies and food for the day of the dialogue. Twenty-six community volunteers who represented five generations gave their support by participating in the dialogue event. During the event, the community volunteers talked with each of their respective generations, and talked in mixed generational groups. The dialogue encouraged an exchange of ideas that will benefit the community.
The community volunteers saw Hay Springs as an exceptional town that offers natural beauty because of its gorgeous setting in the Pine Ridge area. Citizens of Hay Springs find importance in the values and solidarity the community as a whole shares.
Warm words residents exchanged with one another at the Hay Springs dialogue: "What is important to people is love in the family and love in the community."
- Adult Partners
Patsy Bridge
Teri Hunzeker
Les Tlustos
- Youth Leadership Team
Cindy Barth
Kristina Carlson
Brenna Jungck
Kate Jungck
Shannon Summers
Cole Vejraska
- Student Interns
Courtney Bartlett
Kyla Wize
