Summer 2025, Vol. 8 Iss. 12

Rural Resilience, Digital Growth, and a Spark of Independence 🇺🇸

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A Message from ROI

Utah State University (USU) Extension’s Rural Online Initiative (ROI) continues to change the narrative about what career paths are possible in rural areas. ROI courses equip youth and adult leaders

with the skills and confidence to pursue careers once thought beyond reach.

From helping rural residents find remote jobs to supporting small businesses through e-commerce, ROI is planting seeds

of growth, independence, and prosperity, even in the most remote corners of our state.

As we mark another year of growth and progress, this month’s Independence Day reminds us why this work matters, not just for economic development, but for the freedom it brings to individuals, families, and communities across Utah.

E-Commerce Spotlight: Larson's Angus Beef builds a digital future from Utah's Dixie

This month, we’re excited to feature Larson's Angus Beef, a sixth-generation family ranch in St. George, Utah, and recent graduates of our E-Commerce Accelerator (ECA) six-week program. The Larsons transitioned from managing orders through text messages to operating a fully functional e-commerce platform. During the program, they received expert mentoring, web development support, and digital marketing guidance.

Since launching their new website this year, Larson’s Angus Beef has generated over $8,000 in online sales, attracted more than 2,500 website visitors (including over 1,700 mobile users), and experienced an increase in customer demand, nearly selling out of inventory within the first few weeks.

Their e-commerce platform, larsonangusbeef.com, now offers quarter, half, and whole beef shares to customers across the western United States. The ranch emphasizes sustainable practices, including rotational grazing and collaborative land management with the Bureau of Land Management. Larson's Angus Beef exemplifies how rural businesses can adopt digital tools to expand market reach while maintaining their agricultural heritage and commitment to environmental stewardship.

The E-commerce Accelerator: Empowering rural small business through digital transformation

Rural and agricultural entrepreneurs across Utah are building thriving online businesses with the help of the E-Commerce Accelerator (ECA). This six-week mentoring program offers one-on-one business consulting, web development, digital marketing strategies, and goal-driven sales milestones.

With just 3–5 clients enrolled at a time, the program delivers personalized, high-impact results. Recent participant outcomes include:

Increased confidence, digital skills, and business aspirations
Reported growth in online sales following website launch
A 100% completion rate among small business participants

Our ECA team recently wrapped up interviews with several agricultural producers across Northern Utah and we look forward to sharing their stories soon. These entrepreneurs are proving that with the right tools and support, Utah's rural economy can grow from the ground up.

Do you know a rural or agricultural business ready to grow online?

Refer them to the E-Commerce Accelerator to help expand their reach, increase sales, and build a thriving e-commerce business.

Apply here

Professional Development Workshop

Join us for the final session in our professional development workshop series, with Program Specialist, Marta Nielsen, focusing on one of the most overlooked drivers of success in remote work: active listening.

This interactive session will explore how intentional communication builds trust, collaboration, and clarity in virtual environments. Skills that are essential in today's flexible and remote-first world.

🗓️ When: Tuesday, July 15 at 12:00 PM
📍 Where: Zoom link will be emailed upon registration
👥 Who Should Attend: ROI students, job seekers, and professionals looking to strengthen their communication in remote work environments

Gain practical strategies to enhance your listening skills, communicate with empathy, and navigate remote conversations with clarity and confidence. Whether you're preparing for interview, managing clients, or working with remote teams these skills are foundational to your long-term success.

This workshop reflects the Rural Online Initiative's ongoing mission to empower rural residents not only with access to remote jobs, but with the confidence to thrive in an evolving digital workforce.

Reserve your spot on Eventbrite today!

Resume Critique Recap

On July 1, participants joined our Resume Critique & Insights Workshop, where they received personalized feedback and learned strategies to tailor their resumes, quantify accomplishments, and stand out to employers.

Missed this one? Don't worry another resume workshop is coming soon. Follow us on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.

Flexibility, AI, and the freedom to adapt

Are we expecting people to succeed without giving them the support and skills they need?

The future of work isn't just about tools like AI or remote work policies, it's about leadership. Whether managing a remote team or guiding AI adoption, today’s challenges are human at their core. And yet:

AI use at work has nearly doubled in just two years (Gallup)
Only 22% of companies have a clear AI adoption plan
But 97% of executives say AI is urgent
Yet, the Slack Workforce Index shows AI ambition is high, but adoption lags due to unclear guidance and communication.
Just 25% of managers have been trained to lead remote teams.

Ambition alone isn't enough. To succeed in a changing workplace, organizations need clear training, thoughtful structure, and empowered leadership. Those who thrive, whether embracing flexible work or adopting AI, share one thing in common: a commitment to people-first strategies built on trust and clarity.

This is exactly what the Rural Online Initiative (ROI) is built to do. Through digital workforce training and leadership development, we help professionals not just adapt but lead with confidence.

Certified Remote Work Leader^©course

This nationally recognized program is designed for working professionals teaching them how to:

Lead distributed teams effectively
Navigate emerging technologies like AI
Build trust and clarity in remote environments
Develop the mindset and tools to guide your organization through transformation

Participants can also earn recertification (PDC) credits from SHRM, HRCI, and PSHRA.

Apply today

Freedom to grow with the Rural Online Initiative.

This Independence Day, we celebrate the freedom to shape your future. Whether you're working from a home office, launching a business from your ranch, or returning to the workforce on your terms, opportunity shouldn't depend on where you live.

Through specialized training and career support, we help Utahns access remote jobs, grow businesses, and build futures rooted in confidence and connection. Happy Independence Day from all of us at ROI.

This year, our community reached career milestones, launched e-commerce websites, and achieved greater financial stability. Rural prosperity doesn’t happen by chance, it’s built through access, support, and hard work.

Your story matters. Has ROI played a difference in your journey? Share your story and help inspire others across our statewide community. Together we're redefining what's possible for rural Utah.

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