The Rural Geography Study Group is a sub-group of the Canadian Association of Geographers. Doug Ramsey was Chair of the RGSG from 2000 to 2007. He was then co-chair with Dr. Rhonda Koster of Lakehead University for several years. Dr. Mery Perez, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, took the reigns as study group chair in 2023.

To become a member, you must also be a member of the CAG. Membership in the study group is only $5. Students are free!

In the past we have organized special sessions at the Annual Meetings of the CAG. Of particular note is a volume of papers compiled from the special sessions of the 2001 and 2002 CAG meetings. This publication is available through the Rural Development Institute at Brandon University.

Ramsey, D. and C. Bryant. (eds.) 2004. The Structure and Dynamics of Rural Territories. Rural Development Institute, Brandon University.

Members of the RGSG have also had a strong presence at the Quadrennial meetings of British, Canadian and American Geographers. Past meetings have been held in Wales (2015), Manitoba/Saskatchewan (2011), Spokane, Washington (2007), Plymouth and Exeter, England (2003), Nova Scotia/New Brunswick (1999), North Carolina (1995). In the past, the RGSG has provided financial assistance to a student to attend these meetings. In 2019, we met in Vermont. It was another successful meeting. The Canadian contingent will host the next Quadrennial in British Columbia in 2023. We propose the southern mainland and Vancouver Island. Themes will include tourism, agriculture, Indigenous community development, and the rural-urban fringe.

Publications include books and a special issue of the Journal of Rural and Community Development:

https://journals.brandonu.ca/jrcd/issue/view/21

Winchell, D., Ramsey, D., Koster, R., and G. Robinson. (eds.) 2010. Geographical Perspectives on Sustainable Rural Change. Rural Development Institute, Brandon University.

The RGSG manages an email list of members and hosts a study group lunch at the annual meetings of the CAG.

If you have any questions, please contact myself, Doug Ramsey (ramsey@brandonu.ca).