EP008 | Small Town Roots, Big Impact: David Baird On community and economic resilience

Rural Ripples

In this episode, we’re sitting down with David Baird, someone who’s been at the heart of water and utility management for more than 20 years. David’s a former National Rural Water Association President, now leading the Sussex Conservation District and serving on the Delaware Rural Water Association board. He’s been instrumental in connecting small towns and rural communities to the resources they need to tackle big challenges like workforce shortages, regulatory pressures, and improving water quality.

We talk about his career managing small towns, his passion for conservation, and how collaboration between small and large systems can create stronger, more resilient communities. From navigating rural utility challenges to securing millions in funding for agricultural water quality projects, David’s approach is all about making a real, measurable impact.