Founding President, Rural Development Leadership Network (1983–2025)
Passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026
"People are a community's most important resource. Most government funding for rural areas is targeted on physical infrastructure or agricultural production and marketing. We focus on human infrastructure."
— Starry Krueger, 2009.jpg)
In 1983, Starry Krueger co-founded the Rural Development Leadership Network (RDLN), a national, multicultural social change organization that supports community-based development in poor rural areas through hands-on projects, education, leadership development, and networking.
A former volunteer organizer for the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, Starry was introduced to some of the struggles of the farmworker movement in California in the 1970s. This experience would shape her life's work.
In 1977 - 1983, before co-founding RDLN, Starry Krueger served as the founding Director of the National Rural Fellows — a program designed to increase the participation of minorities in urban administration, offering nine-month internships and two summers of coursework leading to a Master's in Regional Planning at the University of Massachusetts. Thirty participants from 20 states and the Mariana Islands passed through the program. However, to ensure a rural emphasis, the Rural Development Leadership Network was incorporated as a separate organization in 1983 by an Advisory Board and the Director of the National Rural Fellows program.
During Starry Krueger's tenure as president from 1983-2025, RDLN successfully recruited over 100 Leaders representing 31 states, 13 Indian nations, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Saipan, Belize, and Vietnam, all of whom completed the National Rural Fellows program and RLDN Rural Development Institute, earning RDLN Certificates, B.A., M.A., or Ph.D. credentials.
Community-development projects spearheaded by these Leaders have included financial literacy, housing development, credit unions, education, craft development, farming, farmworkers, appropriate technology, youth, forest workers, redistricting, environment, and transportation, among others.
Starry stewarded RDLN into a nationally recognized multicultural organization that supports community-based development in poor rural areas, developing several programs.
RDLN Rural Development Institute — Supports emerging leaders from poor rural areas to spearhead development projects and design related study through which they may earn a certificate or academic credential. The Institute was first held at UC Davis in 1985, and includes coursework in Economics and Economic Development, Overview of Rural Areas, Tools for Rural Development, and Organization and Management.
Rural Women's Network — Started with a delegation of forty rural women who traveled to China to attend the NGO Forum on Women in 1995. This initiative grew to include International Exchange and representation at the Commission on the Status of Women, the World Food Summit, and the Association for Women and Development — hosting over 22 panels and workshops. Also established the Rural Women's Product Development and Marketing Venture, supporting rural women's groups in strengthening their organizations and marketing their crafts online.
National Network Assemblies — Held approximately every other year, hosted by an RDLN Leader and their organization. Events include a Circle of Sharing, workshops led by Network members and resource people, site visits to local development initiatives, Network planning, special events, cultural observance, and celebration.
National Rural Fellows Program — Founded and directed the program, launching nine-month internships for 30 participants from 20 states and the Mariana Islands, with coursework leading to a Master's in Regional Planning at UMass.
RDLN Founded — Incorporated the Rural Development Leadership Network to ensure a lasting rural emphasis beyond the National Rural Fellows program.
Benefit performance — "Fannie Lou Hamer: This Little Light…" at St. Peter's Church, Citicorp Center, New York. First group of RDLN Leaders enrolled.
First RDLN Institute at University of California at Davis, featuring coursework, peer instruction, and three-day field trips and site visits.
Led a delegation of forty rural women to China for the NGO Forum on Women, launching the Rural Women's Network's international presence.
Pilot Ph.D. group enters the Union Institute Ph.D. program.
Agreement with Salish Kootenai College to accept RDLN Institute and Field Project work for B.A. credits.
Received the William French Award from the Rural Community Assistance Corporation for lifetime achievement in rural development.
Panel presentation on "Beijing + 15" at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. RDLN launches Rural Caucus at CSW.
Mississippi Food & Health Fellowship launched with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Four Fellows accepted.
Received the Cochran/Collings Award for Distinguished Service in Housing for the Rural Poor, Housing Assistance Council.
Retired as RDLN President after 42 years of service. The RDLN Board of Directors established the Starry Krueger Rural Leaders' Scholarship Fund in her honor.
Passed away. The RDLN family honors her memory and carries forward the mission she built.
To honor Starry Krueger's legacy upon her retirement in 2025, the RDLN Board of Directors created the Starry Krueger Scholarship Fund. The award honors her ability to start, grow, and sustain an institution that has had a significant impact on rural communities across America. Starry helped found RDLN in 1983 and served as its president for 42 years. As is customary, the first award was presented to its namesake.
