April 2005 Volume III, Number 4

Compiled by Deb Miller Slipek, News Finder Extraordinary &
Jane Leonard, MRP President & Editor

Check this out! Registration for the eighth annual Rural Summit (July 28-29 at St. John's University) will open next week. Register before May 18 and you can save $50 off the regular early bird conference rate. Help the planning committee by signing up early, and help yourself with a registration discount!

IN THIS ISSUE:

- Across The Field
- Policy & Programs
- Funding
- Meetings & Conferences
- Tools & Miscellaneous
- Jobs

Across the Field, by Jane Leonard – Economic & Societal Transformation
I celebrated my 48th birthday last week with family, friends and colleagues. I'm not afraid to reveal my age because I'm proud of the journey those years took. They give me strength to hang on through cycles of change. This was evident last week when events gave me pause for reflection on the economic and societal transformations that challenge our very core as compassionate go-getters in the world family.

First, on the economic front, on April 3, New York Times columnist and Minnesota native Thomas Friedman wrote "It's a Flat World After All," about his visit to Bangalore, India. He reported, as many others have already seen especially in rural America, that web-enabled technologies are quickly shrinking and flattening the world. The flattening goes beyond outsourcing manufacturing jobs to countries with cheap, unskilled labor. It means outsourcing skilled, knowledge jobs, too. The U.S. is no longer the economic world power it once was because we have failed to notice the scale of the knowledge revolution outside our borders. What compounds the problem is that internally we are running on the fumes of education and infrastructure investments made decades ago. Communications technologies, education investments, and the knowledge pools growing in places like Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America now produce people who collaborate and innovate faster than we can say, "invest in education."

We lag behind also because Americans continue to be smug. We think we are powerful and act like it, false as that construct may be. Our sense of entitlement may temporarily assuage our need for order and physical security - hence all the investment in homeland security - but does nothing for our economic security. We are slowly but surely eroding our competitiveness because we fail to invest in our communities, our infrastructure and lifelong education and have lost sight of the changed economies of scale. Mega-scale industrial approaches don't hold a candle to local innovation, competitiveness and sustainability now that one can globally connect knowledge pools at the grassroots where most innovation occurs. If it is true that work and life can be sustained anywhere given these global connections, why aren't we spending more time and effort reinventing our economic practices and policies to take advantage of the dispersed, diversified and now connectable knowledge across rural and metro communities?

Second, on the societal front I watched this past week as our Minnesota legislators met to consider an anti-gay marriage amendment to change our Constitution to allow discrimination (even though most democratic Constitutions, including the U.S. Constitution, are thus far written and/or amended to protect and uphold freedom and eradicate intolerance). This unnecessary act of hate and intolerance endangers our democracy. It also distracts attention from the more politically difficult, but real responsibilities of governance -- the growing state budget deficit, poverty reduction, housing, transportation, education, and health care. To spend so much time and effort on an issue that fires up the bigots saddens me, especially when I am a target of this bigotry, even though I am a person of faith, a person of integrity, a person who loves her family and her life partner of nearly 25 years. I guess some of our leaders haven’t read “The Rise of the Creative Class” by regional economist Richard Florida, which points out how places that encourage creativity and tolerance succeed in building 21st Century economies and livable communities.

I concluded my week of reflection observing the coming together of the world to say goodbye to Pope John Paul II. It showed me that once again, we are a society capable of living with complexity. The young men and women of Poland, who slept on the streets of Rome just to be near the funeral events, did so even while struggling with the conservative values expressed by John Paul II on social issues. Nonetheless they understood what a champion he was of peace and political freedom. Their freedom of thought and action, they knew, was in no small part due to John Paul’s solidarity with his countrymen and women to tear down the Iron Curtain. In living and in dying, he reminded me about the transforming power of grace. Grace does not eliminate fear, but gives us strength of heart to lift our sails high. For it is there we catch the winds of change and move forward connected one to another.

Congratulations to the Minnesota Rural Futures Award winners

Speaking of lifting the sails high, Monday night our friends at Minnesota Rural Futures recognized five women and one organization that exemplify leadership and connectedness in and for rural Minnesota. The award winners are:

1. Audrey Arner of Montevideo who runs a 240-acre Century farm with her husband and has been active for many years in championing environmental and sustainable agriculture communities in Minnesota, the U.S. and around the world.
   
2. Maddy Forsberg of Southwestern Minnesota who is director of the Southwest Area Agency on Aging and active in rural health programs.
   
3. Terese Hall of Southwestern Minnesota who runs a farm with her family that specializes in cooperative grazing and organic methods.
   
4. Billeye Rabbe of Martin County, a former Extension Educator, who is now a private consultant active in compost, solid waste, and land stewardship programs.
   
5. Bonnie Stewart of Fosston who is the co-founder and Executive Director of the People Connection and Minnesota Women’s Business Center.
   
6. Madonna Peltier Yawakie of Brooklyn Park who is President and CEO of Turtle Island Communications which provides telecommunications engineering and technical consulting services to tribal governments and organizations, and is, we are proud to say, chair of Minnesota Rural Partners.
   
7. Renewing the Countryside, the Emma B. Howe Award winner. RTC is a non-profit organization that strengthens rural areas by championing and supporting rural communities, farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, activists and others who are renewing the countryside through sustainable and innovative initiatives, businesses, and projects.

And finally, the Minnesota Rural Health Association is pleased to announce that Julie Larsen is the new executive director.  Julie has worked in strengthening rural Minnesota communities and organizations for the last 17 years.  Her previous experience includes executive director of Minnesota Rural Futures and regional coordinator of Center for Reducing Rural Violence.  Please contact Julie if you have ideas, questions or concerns about MRHA at office@mnruralhealth.org.

POLICY

--Policy Options for a Changing Rural America Rural communities have changed dramatically since 1990 due to increased population from urban areas, shifts in age and ethnic composition, and economic and industrial restructuring. Increasing competition from abroad and sectoral shifts in employment present new challenges and opportunities in the worldwide economy and raise the question - how can rural communities successfully build on their economic base and other assets to retain and attract population and employment. And, when, where, and under what circumstances will rural development strategies be most successful? Rural policy for the future will need to encompass a broad array of issues, and these different rural issues will require different mixes of solutions. Strategies to generate new employment and income opportunities, develop local human resources, and build and expand critical infrastructure hold the most promise for enhancing the economic opportunities and well being of rural America. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April05/Features/PolicyOptions.htm
A Commentary - March 18, 2005 An Indecent Proposal - By Thomas D. Rowley

What would you call a proposed initiative that

• eliminates 18 programs that together invest $5.5 billion a year in communities across the Nation to create economic growth, ensure public health, and improve quality of life;
• in their stead, creates one new program funded at only $3.71 billion--one-third less;
• by reducing public investment, risks losing at least another $18 billion in private investments;
• shifts from helping communities build capacity needed to achieve and maintain a decent quality of life, including economic prosperity, to solely supporting job creation; and
• is part of an eye-popping 45 percent whack to community and regional development, cutting it from $17.1 billion to $9.4 billion.

The Bush Administration calls it the "Strengthening America's Communities Initiative."

Talk about putting lipstick on a pig.

To be fair, there is a need to reform federal assistance to communities. In particular, we need to make it easier for small, rural communities with little capacity to find and get the help they need from a bewildering array of federal programs. And no one would argue against making programs more efficient and more effective.

But the Administration's rationale for the move seems to contradict itself. According to the proposal, most of the 18 programs fail to measure up to standards established by the federal Office of Management and Budget. Yet OMB has assessed only 9 of the 18. On top of that, the Economic Development Administration, which was assessed, got the second highest rating possible. Indeed, a few months ago Administration officials were on Capitol Hill touting the program they now wish to kill. (Other programs on the chopping block include the Community Development Block Grants, Community Service Block Grants, and Community Development Financial Institutions.)

So maybe, you say, it's a cost-saving move to help with the ballooning-and largely self-created--deficit (though Administration officials say it's not). If it is, it's akin to bailing the Titanic with a thimble. The proposed funding cut represents less than one-half of a percent of last year's federal shortfall.

Whatever the rationale and its consistency or lack there of, the proposal goes way too far and leaves many communities behind in the process.

At a press conference organized by the National Rural Network, a coalition of 50-plus organizations concerned with rural issues, several rural leaders spoke out.

"Let's be clear," said Matt Chase, Executive Director, National Association of Development Organizations, "the 18 programs that the President wants to consolidate, in fact, aren't consolidated, they're abolished. The federal government will no longer have a role in community economic development. The new program is strictly focused on job creation, which is completely different from community development. When you talk about distressed communities, we need to get these areas ready to attract business to sustain them and under this proposal we will no longer have that."

Skowhegan, Maine, is a perfect example, said the town's Road Commissioner Greg Dore. Without Community Development Block Grants, the town of 9,000 can't afford the $11 million needed to bring its century-old sewer up to code. Without the Essential Air Service program, which helps keep small airports open, the two paper mills that anchor the region's economy will close.

"There's no way," Dore said, "that the backbone of America can continue on without these funds."

Noting that the future of many rural communities is at stake, Jon Bailey of the Center for Rural Affairs said the Administration's proposal will "exacerbate economic distress and accelerate depopulation in rural areas."

Finally, Charles Fluharty, Director of the Rural Policy Research Institute, called this the most difficult moment in rural policy in 30 years. "Each year, the federal government spends two to five times as much, per capita, on urban than rural community development. With these cuts, there's no muscle left; we're down to the bone."

Fortunately, Congressional resistance to the proposal is mounting-on both sides of the aisle. Early on Republicans from rural areas denounced it. And at a hearing this week, several Democrats took the Administration to the woodshed, questioning the rationale and decrying the damage it would cause. The most pointed remark of the day, however, came from Tennessee Congressman Lincoln Davis, who simply called it a "headshot to rural areas.”

(Note - the Rural Round-Up welcomes opinions from all sides of issues. If you have responses to articles like these and wish them to be published in the Round-Up, please send them to the editors before the second Tuesday of the month.)

FUNDING

And speaking of funding for rural America – there's still some available...

--USDA Value-Added Producer Grant applications are due May 6, 2005. $14.3 million is available; $150,000 max. grant; at least 1-1 match required. Eligible applicants include farmers, ranchers, co-ops, producer-based business ventures. The primary objective of this grant program is to help eligible independent producers of agricultural commodities, agricultural producer groups, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and majority controlled producer-based business ventures develop strategies to create marketing opportunities and to help develop business plans for viable marketing opportunities. These grants will facilitate greater participation in emerging markets and new markets for value-added products. Grants will only be awarded if projects or ventures are determined to be economically viable and sustainable. For more details for to: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm

--"Breakthrough Ideas," a statewide contest to seek out, support, celebrate and promote Minnesota's newest and most innovative business ideas through an annual competition that connects resident entrepreneurs with our state's leading CEOs, investors and the University of Minnesota. Contest organizers are asking all Minnesotans to submit their breakthrough ideas between March 9 and May 6, 2005 online at http://www.breakthroughideas.umn.edu The winner of the competition will receive $25,000 in seed capital, the first annual Minnesota Cup -- presented by David and Carolyn Cleveland and sponsored by the University of Minnesota -- as well as free public relations, legal, research and management support services. Second and third place winners will receive $5,000 and $2,500 respectively. For more information, contact: Fred Haberman, Haberman & Associates, 612/338-3900 fred@habermaninc.com

--USDA Rural Development’s Farm Labor Housing, Rural Rental Housing and Housing Preservation Grants deadline is May 13. Guaranteed rental housing loans applications will be considered after June 13. The agency will continue taking applications after that date if funds remain. For more information, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/index.html

--Smart Growth Implementation Assistance EPA is soliciting applications from communities that want help with either policy analysis (e.g., reviewing state and local codes, school siting guidelines, transportation policies, etc.) or public participatory processes (e.g., visioning, alternatives analysis, build-out analysis, etc.).  4 - 6 selected communities will receive assistance over 12 months from a team of experts organized by EPA and other national partners to work with local leaders. For more information and application materials. Applications due May 19, 2005. http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sg_implementation.htm

--Conservation Security Program (CSP The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began accepting sign-ups from farmers and ranchers through May 27, 2005 for this new, annual program that provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and other conservation purposes on tribal and private working lands. This year's program sign-up includes a renewable energy and energy efficiency component. Eligible producers will receive compensation for conducting energy audits, for cutting their energy use, for converting to renewable energy fuels (such as biodiesel and ethanol), and for implementing renewable energy production, including methane production as well as wind, solar, hydroelectric and geothermal energy. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/

--USDA Renewable Energy Grant Program is quite similar to last year with a couple of exceptions: 1) Half of the money ($11.4 million of $22.8 million) is set aside for a loan guarantee program, for which the details will be announced later. Any funds set aside for loan guarantees that are not obligated by August 31, 2005 will be available for grants. 2) The evaluation criteria have been altered significantly, putting more emphasis on technical merit and project readiness. Grants can be made for up to 25% of the cost of a project.
· The Full NOFA is available here: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill
· Other resources and information are available from Windustry: www.windustry.org/farmbill

--The Common Counsel Foundation has grants of $6-12,000 available. Common Counsel Foundation’s consortium of family foundations and individual donors are committed to funding economic, environmental and social justice initiatives.  All members of the foundation support low-income people, women, youth, people of color and others working for justice, equity, and a healthy, sustainable environment.  Members are interested in organizations committed to grassroots community organizing, policy reform and positive social change. The deadline in the next round of funding is June 15. For more information, visit http://www.commoncounsel.org/index.html.

--OEA Small Grants and Loans $50,000 is still available. $10,000 maximum grant; $50,000 maximum loan. Grants or loans are for projects related to waste reduction, pollution prevention, other prevention-based or preventative technologies and practices, sustainable community development and environmental education Apply ASAP: agreements must be completed by June 30, 2005. Details and forms at http://www.moea.state.mn.us/

National Endowment for the Arts Grants The Arts Endowment awards grants for arts projects, regardless of the size or type of applicant organization, that are of national, regional, or field-wide significance; that tour in several states; or that provide an unusual or especially valuable contribution because of geographic location. Grants will be awarded also for local projects that can have significant effects within communities or that are likely to serve as program models. Funding is available from the Endowment for projects in the following fields: Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literature, Media Arts (Film, Radio, Television), Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Theater and Visual Arts.  The Endowment also awards grants for presenting projects and for local arts agencies.

Access to Artistic Excellence: Projects that foster and preserve excellence in the arts and provide access to the arts for all Americans.  An organization may request a matching grant from $5,000 to $150,000. Application deadline is August 15, 2005.

Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants: Grants for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Matching grants are for $10,000.  Application deadline: June 1, 2005.

Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth: Projects that enhance the quality of, and access to, arts education for children and youth. Matching grants are from $5,000 to $150,000.  Application deadline: June 13, 2005. For more information go to: www.arts.gov/grants/apply. Examples of recent grants can be found at www.arts.gov/grants/recent

CONFERENCES & MEETINGS

--GIS – an Intro for Info Professionals --Geographic Information System (GIS) technology combines standard databases with maps and location-related information such as street addresses, ZIP codes, and GPS data. GIS is widely used in government, business, and education for managing geographically referenced data, for creating maps to show patterns and trends, and for conducting spatial analysis, such as market research. Angela Lee, from ESRI, will provide an overview of GIS and the potential applications of GIS.  Types of GIS software as well as sources of GIS data will be discussed. TODAY - April 12th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the James J. Hill Library, 80 W. 4th Street, St. Paul. Cost: $5. RSVP - please RSVP to Ann Treacy (atreacy@treacyinfo.com) if you can.

--Small Business Resource Fair in Mankato on April 27 – free!  For details check www.sba.gov/mn

--The Minnesota Council on Foundations and The Kresge Foundation present: An Informational Program on Capital Campaigns on April 20, 2005. The event will be at the St. Paul Travelers, Jackson Room in St. Paul. The cost is $25. Registration Deadline: April 13, 2005. The session is open to grantmakers and nonprofit staff and board members working in: arts and humanities, four-year accredited colleges, universities and accredited seminars, health & long-term care, human services, public affairs/government, and science and the environment. Eligible projects include construction of facilities, renovations of facilities, including the purchase of major capital equipment, integrated equipment systems of $300,000 and real estate purchase. Projects not supported by Kresge include long-term debt retirement and projects near completion at the time of application. If you would like to participate, please RSVP to Cindy Oberg-Hauser at 612-338-1989 or coberg-hauser@mcf.org

--Government Training Services announces 2005 Land Use Planning Workshop Schedule This spring the Initiative Foundation will again partner with the Government Training Services (GTS) organization to offer superb training opportunities on the legal, civic, and cultural skills needed to serve on a Planning Board, Boards of Adjustment, and elected office.  To register, visit www.mngts.org or call (651) 222-7409 x208.  The cost for full day workshops is $125 (and includes lunch); the fee for half-day workshops is $50.  The following workshops will be held at the Initiative Foundation's offices in Little Falls: 

• Beyond the Basics (full day), Wednesday, May 18
  
• Advanced Zoning Applications (full day), Thursday, May 19
  
•  Environmental Planning(full day), Thursday, June 23
  
• Spotlight on Subdivisions (full day), Thursday, June 16
  
• Avoid drowning in Lakeshore Development (12 pm 7:30 pm), Thurs., Sept. 22, Brainerd 

--Initiative Foundations 5th Annual Economic Development Conference will be Tuesday, May 3rd at the Foundation offices in Little Falls. Learn how today's businesses can succeed by fostering innovative cultures, ideas and technology. For more details and registration information or contact Sharon at 877-632-9255 or sgottwalt@ifound.org

--The 5th Annual Senior Cooperative Housing Conference will be held May 5 & 6 at the Holiday in Select in Bloomington. Sponsored by the MN Association of Cooperatives and the Senior Cooperative Housing Network. For information call 651-228-0213.

--Grantseeking for Beginners. Sponsored by the Minnesota Council on Foundations. Learn how to identify potential funders, the key elements of an effective grant proposal and the grant review and decision making process from a grant maker's point of view. June 23rd in Bemidji or August 2nd in St. Paul. Contact MCF at 612-338-1989 or info@mcf.org for more information and registration.

--Wondering what our small towns will be like 10, 20, or even 50 years from now? The Third Annual Symposium on Small Towns will be looking forward into the future of our small towns and rural areas. This two-day event is scheduled for June 7 and 8, 2005 and will be held at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Participants attending the Symposium will learn and discuss global trends, how rural communities are shaping them to meet future challenges, and to understand how our political framework and issues can be changed to better support small towns. Community projects will be showcased, participants will actively engage in visioning sessions, and small towns and rural living will be celebrated. In addition, performers from around the state will provide a celebratory evening of outstanding music, poetry, storytelling, and much more.

The Symposium is open to the public; individuals and teams are encouraged to attend the event to network with people and locate resources as you work to strengthen and shape the future of your small town. Fees are kept at a minimum to encourage participation. For more information and pre-registration go to the Center for Small Towns web page at http://www.centerforsmalltowns.org/, click on the Symposium link, or call at 320-589-6451.

--The Minnesota Rural Health Conference for July 18-19 in Duluth, Minnesota. The conference, "Smart Health for Rural Communities," will focus on innovative approaches that maintain and improve the quality and availability of health care services in greater Minnesota. Information is online at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/orhconf.html For more information contact maryann.radigan@health.state.mn.us or 651-282-6338.

--2005 MINNESOTA RURAL SUMMIT - July 28-29, 2005, St. John's University, Collegeville. The theme for 2005 is "The Great Reconnect - Bridging Rural & Urban Resources for Community & Economic Success." We'll be showcasing efforts that bridge community and economic resources between rural and urban Minnesota, that bridge diverse cultures and shared heritage, and that bridge our spirit and will to strengthen and sustain our communities, our regions, and our state. Check out http://www.minnesotaruralpartners.org/2005_summit/

MISCELLANEOUS

--The 2005 Minnesota Rural Health Conference Planning Committee is seeking nominations to honor outstanding Minnesota rural health programs and professionals. There will be two categories: Minnesota Rural Health Hero Award and Minnesota Outstanding Rural Health Team Award. The awards will be presented at the Rural Health Conference July 18-19 in Duluth, Minnesota. The deadline for submissions is May 16. Nomination information is online at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/orhconf.html or contact Mary Ann Radigan at maryann.radigan@health.state.mn.us or (651) 282-6338.

--The Journal of the Community Development Society, Volume 35, No. 1, is a special issue focused exclusively on entrepreneurship in rural development. For more information, go to CDS@AssnOffices.com or www.comm-dev.org

--The March issue of the Main Street Economist is now available.  Mark Drabenstott of the Center for the Study of Rural America discusses, "Do Farm Payments Promote Rural Economic Growth?" in this month's issue.  The article analyzes the distribution of farm payments and the growth in jobs and population in the counties most dependent on farm payments.  This article and other issues of the Main Street can be found on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's web site at: http://www.kansascityfed.org/ruralcenter/mainstreet/MainStMain.htm

--Preserve America Communities! Communities may apply for special designation as a Preserve America Community, which recognizes communities that:

• protect and celebrate their heritage;
• use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization; and
• encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.

Benefits of designation include:

• White House recognition;
• a certificate of recognition;
• a Preserve America Community road sign;
  
• authorization to use the Preserve America logo on signs, flags, banners, and promotional materials;
  
• listing in a Web-based Preserve America Community directory;
  
• inclusion in national and regional press releases;
  
• official notification of designation to State tourism offices and visitor bureaus; and
  
• enhanced community visibility and pride.

Four application and designation cycles occur each year. The 2005 application deadlines are June 1, September 1, and December 1.
Application form can be obtained at http://www.preserveamerica.gov/communities.html

--The (much delayed!) Winter 2004 edition of Making Waves: Canada's Community Economic Development Magazine features articles on Business Retention & Expansion, on Wal-Mart, on labor market integration in Québec, in addition to new issues of the "Insiders' Guide to Community Renewal" and "The High Road." Find a summary of the contents below. To view sample articles, request a trial copy, or subscribe, go to www.cedworks.com/waves.html.

--The Orton Family Foundation is pleased to announce that it is making its CommunityViz® planning software available to communities at the new, reduced cost of $185, removing a significant barrier to access to communities across the country in need of effective planning tools and methods. To fulfill this commitment, the Foundation has entered into an agreement with Placeways, LLC -- an independent company owned and operated by former Foundation employees -- to provide ongoing distribution, maintenance and support of the software. The Foundation invented CommunityViz in the belief that giving people a way to visualize a common land use future is a critical first step toward creating livable and sustainable communities. The partnership with Placeways will help promote the widespread use and continued vitality of this important planning tool. The Orton Family Foundation seeks to transform the land use planning system by helping people engage in collaborative, informed and equitable decision-making as a pathway to sustainable communities. For more information on CommunityViz, visit www.communityviz.org

--Help us find the Best Eateries in Minnesota! We want to know about your favorite restaurant, cafe, bed & breakfast, or other public eatery that serves up great, home-made food.  We especially want to know about places that serve locally-grown food, whose menus may include meat from a local rancher, cream and butter from a nearby dairy, fruits and veggies grown by area farmers, jams and relishes those farmers put up, honey from the neighborhood apiary, delicious Minnesota wines, or anything else that makes a wonderfully short journey from "farm to table." Please send us, by April 25th, the name of the eatery, the town it's located in, any contact information you may have (phone, address, e-mail) and, if you know it, the name(s) of the owner(s) and/or chef(s).  All information can be sent to Derric Pennington at info@rtcinfo.org Over the next couple of months we will be gathering your suggestions and will be selecting a number of these establishments to be featured in a book and on a website to promote "eating locally." This project has been made possible by a grant from the North Central Regional Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, and is being carried out by a number of organizations throughout the state. For more information, contact Renewing the Countryside at 1-866-378-0587.

--National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service ATTRA is an excellent web site and service that provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States. Their assistance is available through the web site above or by toll-free call at 800/346-9140. Launched in 1987, ATTRA is funded by the USDA and managed by the nonprofit National Center for Appropriate Technology (http://www.ncat.org/), which has a goal of "helping people by championing small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources." ATTRA's web site contains a broad library of downloadable publications as well as links to other useful resources. http://www.attra.org/

--AMBER WAVES, APRIL 2005 Amber Waves presents the broad scope of ERS' research and analysis. The magazine covers the economics of agriculture, food and nutrition, the food industry, trade, rural America, and farm-related environmental topics. Available on the Internet and in print, Amber Waves is issued in print five times a year (February, April, June, September, and November). The Internet edition, or "e-Zine," includes links to web-only resources. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April05/

--State Fact Sheets The ERS State Fact Sheets contain frequently requested data for each state and for the total United States. These include current data on population, per-capita income, earnings per job, poverty rates, employment, unemployment, farm and farm-related jobs, farm characteristics, farm financial characteristics, top agricultural commodities, top export commodities, and the top counties in agricultural sales.

The ERS State Fact Sheets have been updated to include educational attainment data from the decennial censuses. Rural, urban, and total State estimates are available for the percent of persons completing less than high school, high school only, some college, and college degree. You can also drill down to look up county-level education attainment data from 1970 to 2000. County data can be downloaded as an Excel spreadsheet. Also updated are the farm and farm related employment estimates for 2002. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/

--RED Group Launches eNewsletter -- The Regional Economic Development Group has launched an eNewsletter to share progress, resources and news about innovative approaches to regional economic development in Minnesota. You can find out more about the RED Group or subscribe to the monthly eNewsletter at: http://www.redgrouponline.org/

The RED Group is a public-private partnership supported by the McKnight and Blandin Foundations that seeks to create new wealth in Greater Minnesota by leveraging existing assets and aligning resources regionally throughout the state. 

POSITIONS / OPPORTUNITIES

--University of Minnesota Extension Service seeks an educator to work out of Brainerd to work on natural resources management and utilization, agro forestry and renewable energy production. Initial review of applications will begin May 20, 2005.         http://www.extension.umn.edu/units/director/hr/positions.html

--The People Connection is inviting applications for their 2005 scholarship program.  Up to ten scholarships will be awarded with a value of $250-$1000 per scholarship.  The scholarship awards will be applied toward Entrepreneur training and consulting.  The application process is fairly straightforward.  The form can be obtained by calling The People Connection office at 218-435-2134. All applications will be reviewed by an impartial review committee, consisting of regional business consultants, advisors and small business owners.  The deadline to submit a scholarship application is April 30, 2005.  The notice of scholarship awards will go out June 7, 2005. All individuals receiving scholarships will be eligible to enter a business plan contest if all course work is completed and the finished business plan is submitted to The People Connection by November 30, 2005.  Cash prizes will be awarded to winning business plans.  Only scholarship awardees are eligible to enter the business plan contest. Please feel free to pass this information along to interested individuals. If you have questions regarding the scholarship program, or if you would like to support entrepreneurship in our region by making a donation to the scholarship fund, please call The People Connection at 218-435-2134.

Archive Issues:

March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
Mid-March 2004
March 2004
March 2004 Press Release
June 2003
Mar 2003
June 2002