Find the closest folk festivals, volunteer, buy tickets, mingle, jam, purchase product, get on mailing lists. Google for open mics, folk clubs, coffee houses, house concerts. Search out older players who mentor younger players, younger players pushing the limits. Find the summer music camps, workshops, schools, and network. find instrument, performer, and artist websites and follow their links.

I find online communities by Googling by subject, then clicking on links.

Peace, Mooh.