As rural communities age faster than their urban counterparts, age-friendly planning must adapt to meet the unique challenges of non-metropolitan areas. This research investigates how planning boards and professionals understand and apply age-inclusive planning in rural settings, using Tompkins County, NY, as a case study and launching point. Building on an iterative guidebook and training framework, this study explores how cross-agency collaboration, community service integration, and policy education can reshape local planning practices. Methods included focus groups, interviews, and public presentations in New York and Colorado. Analysis revealed both the limitations of urban-biased frameworks and the untapped potential of volunteer planning boards. Findings suggest that planners must shift from land-use-centric models toward broader, service-oriented approaches that embrace knowledge co-production and local context. This paper contributes to planning literature by offering practical tool.s and recommending policy changes that empower rural communities to become more age-friendly, inclusive, and equitable across generations.