March 2007 - Volume V, Number 3
Compiled by Deb Miller Slipek, News Finder Extraordinary& Jane Leonard, MRP President & Editor

IN THIS ISSUE:

•     Across the Field
•     Funding
•     Meetings
•     Opportunities
•     Miscellaneous

ACROSS THE FIELD by Jane Leonard
DON’T MISS IT, DON’T EVEN BE LATE – May 10 & 11 Heads Up for 10th Annual Rural Summit!

We’ve put the complete package together for “Thriving by Design” -- the 10th annual Minnesota Rural Summit – May 10 & 11 in Brainerd. In exactly one month, like the classic “State Fair” song says, you won’t want to miss it or even be late. By being there, you’ll be on the cutting edge of thinking and action that links community economic success to design and planning strategies.

We’ll also be kicking off preparations for Minnesota’s Statehood Sesquicentennial Year in 2008 including remarks by Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, and up-to-the-minute information on Sesquicentennial grants for community celebrations and improvements and an intro to the Sesquicentennial Plan for the Future process. We hold the Summit on May 10 and 11, 2007 to recognize Statehood Day (May 11) – a day that honors the sacrifice and investment our ancestors made because they believed they had a future starting the 32nd state in the USA.

The Summit program will show how design and planning have figured into Minnesota’s past, present, and future, including the evolution of Minnesota’s economic development – “a design influenced by great vision, natural conditions, happenstance and good fortune,” according to Jim Ramstrom, a veteran of the Minnesota State Planning Agency and one of the Thursday, May 10 keynote speakers, who will draw lessons from the past that are applicable to community and entrepreneurial development today.

What does design have to do with community and economic development, the usual mainstays of past Minnesota Rural Summits? The design-based economy is emerging now as communities and businesses turn to the innovations, problem-solving methods, and interdisciplinary creative processes of design to compete and thrive in an ever more complex and sophisticated world. We both shape and are shaped by the built and natural environment, according to Dr. Arthur Mehrhoff, the opening speaker Thursday morning and one of the early leaders and supporters of the Minnesota Design Team. Over 30 of the nearly 100 Minnesota Design Team towns will be in attendance as Dr. Mehrhoff presents an overview of community design, the changing American landscape, and the social, political, and economic forces at work – both seen and unseen that we must be aware of to better prepare our communities for the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

Tom Stinson, Minnesota state economist, and Tom Gillaspy, the state demographer, will present some eye-opening statistics and analysis about Minnesota realities and trends that will have you rethinking state and local economic policy and development strategy. Their presentation will be introduced by Dan McElroy, commissioner of the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development. Expert panelists on agriculture and renewable energy, housing, transportation, telecommunications, education and health care will follow.

Thursday evening speakers will pick up the pace with design and entrepreneurship-related presentations on "Downtown as an Economic Development Strategy - Entrepreneurs, Innovation, Workforce Attraction and Local Identity in a Global Economy" and “Community-based Rural Entrepreneurship.”  The thrust of the downtown presentation, by Gary Becker of Madison, Wisconsin, is the role that the design of physical community "nodes" and networks play in attracting people to the community and promoting interaction, creativity and innovation. 

On Friday morning, a special session on technology tools for design and planning will be offered. Afterwards, presenters from several projects now underway will introduce the process of design and planning as a way to wrap the complexities of 21st century life and work into a manageable whole. Their experiences suggest that without citizen engagement and investments in planning and design, communities and businesses cannot be proactive in the face of competition and cannot wisely manage Minnesota’s resources to be sustainable into the future.

I want to thank all of the Summit planning team members and sponsors for their support, including the Blandin Foundation, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation, Initiative Foundation, Minnesota Power, the Freeman Forum, AgStar Financial Services, Great River Energy, Land O’ Lakes, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, Minnesota Design Team, the University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives Education Foundation, and the Cooperative Foundation.

The Rural Summit registration fee is $200 including meals and materials. It will increase to $225 after May 1. If you register today, April 10, you can still get in on the early bird rate of $185.

See the full meeting agenda and register online now at http://www.minnesotaruralpartners.org/2007_summit or call 507-828-5559 or 651-645-9403 for more information.

FUNDING

-- Now Accepting Applications from Growing Communities.  The organization 1000 Friends of Minnesota has received grant funds from the McKnight Foundation to assist growing communities with the implementation of their balanced growth visions. Please visit 1000 Friends’ website at www.1000fom.org for more information on the program and an application.  If you have any questions, please contact Liz Boyer at lboyer@1000fom.org or call (651) 312-1000. 

-- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota invites proposals from municipal and county government entities to integrate active living principles into their communities. A current RFP - #523: Active Community Planning - aims to support communities in preparing/revising comprehensive development plans, pedestrian or bicycle plans, and in identifying relevant ordinance subsections for modification in keeping with the new plans.

Applicants will be selected for demonstrating their locally driven commitment to developing community designs with the health of their residents in mind. The overarching aim of this opportunity is to build the long-term capacity of communities throughout Minnesota to promote environments that encourage physical activity.

Blue Cross anticipates awarding approximately 15-25 contracts ranging from $5,000 to $75,000. Proposals are now being accepted, through June 1, 2007.  For information go to:
 http://www.preventionminnesota.com/

-- XCEL Energy Renewable Development Fund - A third funding cycle for renewable energy projects in the Xcel Energy service territory is expected to begin this March.  Approximately $23 million will be used to provide grants for renewable energy production projects and renewable energy research and development projects, and $5 million is to be used for innovative programs.
For more information go to:  http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/res_detail.cfm?id=585 To be added to the Request for Proposals mailing list, call 800/330-2948 or e-mail RDFstaff@xcelenergy.com
  
-- Farmers Market Promotion Program  -  USDA  Agricultural Marketing Service annually offers competitive grant funds to agricultural cooperatives, local governments, non-profit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers' market authorities, and tribal governments for direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunity projects that address issues related to farmers markets, roadside stands, community supported agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing channels. $1,000,000 is funding is available in 2007. The maximum award per grant is $75,000; matching funds are not required. Applications are due April 13, 2007.  For more information go to:  http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=12903

-- Local Water Management Challenge Grants from BWSR have an April 15th deadline. These grants to local units of government, including counties, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, and soil and water conservation districts. Funding is for implementation of a priority action in an approved local water management plan. Special consideration will be given to projects that develop and implement innovative practices, programs, or plans to protect or restore surface and groundwater.  Lake associations and citizen groups with projects that are addressed as part of a county's local water plan might talk with the local water planner about a joint application for challenge grant funds.  For more information go to: http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us [select: Grants]

-- XCEL Community Based Wind Program - In 2005, the Minnesota Legislature directed that each utility establish conditions for the purchase of Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) wind energy, with the aim of encouraging broader local participation in wind energy development.  Xcel Energy began accepting proposals on March 20, 2007, for new Minnesota wind generation resources to be in commercial operation by Dec. 31, 2008. The submission deadline is April 20, 2007.  For details contact Richard Peterson at Richard.d.peterson@xcelenergy.com and see the RFP at http://shorl.com/kihotaludeta

-- NACo Sustainable Communities Award deadline is May 11.  For more information go to:             http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/res_detail.cfm?id=2143

-- The "Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Program (also called Program 9006) Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) is now open at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html Eligible applicants are farmers/ranchers (independent producers) and small rural business people.  Cities are NOT eligible applicants.  Applications are due to the Minnesota USDA Rural Development state office by May 18th for a grant or July 2nd for a loan.  For further information contact Kathy Coyle at 218-847-9392 x 121 or Kathy.Coyle@mn.usda.gov

--The National Association of Realtors is seeking nominations for its Good Neighbor Awards, recognizing members whose commitment to volunteer work has enhanced and improved communities. Among the activities that qualify for consideration are: affordable housing involvement; improving the quality of education; supporting initiatives aimed at a community's youth; and work on any other community-based programs. Five winners will receive $10,000 grants for their cause. The application deadline is May 25. Additional information is available at www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/GoodNeighborHomePage?OpenDocument

 --The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is inviting applications for the Local Initiative Funding Partners program. The Foundation and local grantmakers partner to improve the health of vulnerable people in their communities. Up to 14 matching grants of $200,000 to $500,000 will be awarded. The deadline is July 10. Additional information at http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=19831

-- Applications are due October 15, 2007 for Academy of General Dentistry Foundation Grants to fund programs that help make dental care and oral health literacy available to underserved populations, and educational programs that enhance the general dentists’ ability to serve the aged, the physically and mentally challenged, and children, particularly those whose economic circumstances place them at risk.

--October 15 is the deadline for applying for the American Pharmacists Association Foundation $1000 grants to help pharmacists explore new methods and services that enhance their role as health care providers, and to encourage them to share their experiences with other pharmacists.

MEETINGS

-- The 2007 Freeman Forum Food or Fuel: The Emerging Competition will be April 17th from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.at the Humphrey Center – University of Minnesota.  Speakers include keynote Lester R. Brown; Founder and President of Earth Policy Institute, and Robert Elde, Dean of the University of Minnesota's College of Biological Sciences. To register for this free event go to:  http://www.minnesotaruralpartners.org/freemanforum/  Registration is nearly full, act fast if you want to attend.

 -- Carbon Sequestration: Looking to the Land for Climate Change Solutions will be held Friday, April 20 from 8:00 – 11:45 am at the University Club in Saint Paul.  Across the Midwest, farmers and landowners are signing up for carbon credit programs to receive cash payments in exchange for adopting certain management practices. This forum will tell you what you need to know about the benefits of carbon sequestration practices, the risks and trade-offs, and the outlook for sequestration credits in carbon markets. MEI Policy Forums are open to both members and non-members. For more information, please contact Carolyn Brouillard at cbrouillard@mn-ei.org or 612-334-3388 ext. 114.  To register, visit www.mn-ei.org/policy/events.html

-- Sustainable Tourism Makes $en$e. The 2nd Minnesota Conference on Sustainable Tourism.  This conference will be held April 25-26 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska.  Cost of registration is $95.  From the opening keynote “Global Warming:  Implications for Minnesota Tourism & Recreation” through the closing session the program offers a variety of great speakers over the two days.  You will learn best practices from your peers and world-renown leaders as presenters provide case examples and practical strategies for businesses, communities and public agencies.  Register today at the University of Minnesota Tourism Center website, www.tourism.umn.edu.  

--East Central Minnesota 2007 Business Development Summit: Painting Economic Development “Green” on May 2, 2007, from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm at Grand Casino Mille Lacs Convention Center!  For the complete agenda and registration forms visit our website www.corporatecommission.com The registration fee is $55.00.  Please make checks payable to Corporate Commission of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.  There is an optional evening activity from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm at no additional charge (see the agenda on the website); please indicate on your registration form if you would like to attend the evening event. 

-- The 5th Annual Symposium on Small Towns "Leveraging Resources to Improve Schools and Communities will be held June 5 & 6 at U of MN Morris.  Please join in this year for a conversation style format to explore how we are finding and using resources to improve our communities and schools. For more information go to www.centerforsmalltowns.org or call at 320-589-6451.

--MPCA Sponsors Climate and Energy Conference for Local Governments - A one-day conference is being sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency titled "Preparing Your Community for Climate and Energy Change: Opportunities for Local Sustainability." The event will be held at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul on June 6, 2007, from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm and will be free of charge.  This conference is targeted at local government elected officials and staff, as well as other community leaders and interested individuals that seek to prepare their communities for coming challenges related to Minnesota's changing climate and more expensive oil and natural gas.

This conference seeks to provide useful and up-to-date background on the interrelated trends of climate change and energy vulnerability, as well as tools and information for communities that seek to begin preparing for these issues. Many actions that can be taken are "no regrets" strategies that have benefits for communities now, and can increase our local quality of life and benefit the global environment.  For more information, visit www.nextstep.state.mn.us/ conference or contact Paul Moss at the MPCA at (651) 215-0243 or (800) 657-3864 or paul.moss@state.mn.us  

--The 2007 Minnesota Rural Health Conference is June 18-19, 2007, in Duluth, Minnesota. Information is http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/cfh/orhpc/conf/07.htm or call (218) 727-9390 or rhrc@ruralcenter.org

OPPORTUNITIES

-- Every year the MN Rural Health Conference honors an outstanding individual or team in rural health. Call Mary Ann Radigan at 651-201-3855 for more information.  Nomination forms are due May 4, 2007 and are online at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/cfh/orhpc/conf/doc/nomination.doc

-- Help the Humphrey Institute Policy Fellows!  Participants in this year’s Humphrey Institute Policy Fellows program are examining the state of civic life in Minnesota. In particular, they want to know what Minnesotans currently think about civic life and their roles as individual community members.  Please take a moment to help identify the shared civic values that tie Minnesotans together by completing the brief survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=169423374536. The Policy Fellows will use the information gathered though the survey to stimulate further public discussion and orient future efforts to energize civic life throughout the state. Thanks in advance for your participation.  If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Sondra Reisat sondra@mncn.org or 651-642-1904, ext. 242.

--Minnesota Sesquicentennial Fellows Program - The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission is recruiting undergraduate and graduate students to work as Minnesota Sesquicentennial Fellows, throughout the next two years for flexible terms of service between April 07-Feb 09. Students should be interested in one or more of the following fields: history, public administration, public affairs, community and economic development, planning, journalism and communications, arts and humanities.
Fellows will work under the supervision of the Minnesota Sesquicentennial staff; work will be wide-ranging, from office support to planning events and administering aspects of the grant program, working with organizations and communities throughout Minnesota. There may be stipends available or credit. Work hours flexible and time as a Fellow can be in quarters or semester blocks, depending on the student's schedule.

The Sesquicentennial office is in the James J. Hill House on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Some work may also be in the field, throughout Minnesota, so students outside the Twin Cities metro area should also apply. Contact Jane Leonard, Sesquicentennial Executive Director, with any questions and/or send your letter of interest and resume to jane@mn150years.org or call 651-296-6028. You can learn more about the Sesquicentennial at www.mn150years.org.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
--Blandin on Broadband (http://www.blandinonbroadband.com/) is a new blog that tracks broadband policy and applications, especially as they relate to rural Minnesota.
--Chad Wilkerson and Megan Williams explore how the population of the Tenth Federal Reserve District is becoming more diverse and whether minorities are receiving the education and training necessary to contribute to future regional economic growth and improve their personal income potential. The article delves into the work force composition of minorities in the Tenth District and considers the extent to which colleges in the region are turning out enough minority graduates. The full issue is available at: www.kansascityfed.org/regionalaffairs/mainstreet/MainStMain.htm

--Guide to Rural Living is a comprehensive web guide (also available on a CD for $5) is designed to help rural landowners in east central Minnesota specifically, and also all areas of the state, live harmoniously on the land. Topics include land issues and zoning, wetland and wildlife management, small acreage farming and living on a few acres.  A resource directory is included in the guide featuring an extensive list and contact information for many federal, state and local public service agencies, educational resources and more.

The Guide was produced this year by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pine County Soil and Water Conservation District, Resource Conservation and Development, and the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Dozens of topical, one or two-page fact sheets cover topics including:  Wetland Management, Woodland Management, Managing for Wildlife, Threatened and Endangered Species, Non-Native Invasive Species, Erosion Management, Controlling Water and Chemical Run-Off, Shoreland Management and Permits, RainGardens, Native Plant Management, Surface and Ground Water Quality, Managing Your Septic System, Managing Your Well, Rural Fire Protection, ATV and Snowmobile Regulations, Road Maintenance and Right of Ways, Burning Permits, Raising Livestock, Pastures and Hayland.  To view go to: http://www.extension.umn.edu/ruralliving/

-- Organic Agriculture’s Strength in Minnesota - The amount of Minnesota farmland dedicated to organic production grew 57% from 2000 to 2005, to slightly more than 129,000 acres, according to a 53-page report prepared in 2006 by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Minnesota leads the nation in organic corn and soybean production, and remains in the top 10 for organic production of other grains, dairy and beef cattle.

The state had more than 525 certified organic farms in 2006. "The Status of Organic Farming in Minnesota: A Report to the Legislature" finds that estimated US sales of organic food and beverages grew at 18% per year between 1997 and 2005 to $13.8 billion - a much higher growth rate than for conventional foods. The report shows Minnesota's organic farmers are optimistic about their profitability and their future. Several strategies for supporting the continued growth and vitality of Minnesota's organic farming industry are recommended to the Legislature.
To view the report go to: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/esap/organic/

-- 2007 FARM BILL Feature - Agricultural policy affects not only the economic well-being of farm households, but also our food supply, the environment, and the future of rural communities. The current farm law (the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002) remains in force only through 2007. The agriculture committees in Congress have begun to debate ideas and, in the upcoming months, will be crafting legislation that will become the next farm law. ERS analysts examine the economic effects of current farm legislation on producers, consumers, taxpayers, and rural communities, and evaluate potential effects of alternative policies and programs. Included in this feature is a selection of recent ERS research and analysis on issues that the farm bill debate will address. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/FarmBill2007/

-- NAFTA at 13: Implementation Nears Completion - Implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is drawing to a close. In 2008, the last of NAFTA’s transitional restrictions governing U.S.-Mexico and Canada-Mexico agricultural trade will be removed, concluding a 14-year project in which the member countries systematically dismantled numerous barriers to regional agricultural trade. During the implementation period, the agricultural sectors of Canada, Mexico, and the United States have become much more integrated. Agricultural trade within the free-trade area has grown dramatically, and Canadian and Mexican industries that rely on U.S. agricultural inputs have expanded. U.S. feedstuffs have facilitated a marked increase in Mexican meat production and consumption, and the importance of Canadian and Mexican produce to U.S. fruit and vegetable consumption is growing. See www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/WRS0701/  

--Creative Class County Codes - The creative class thesis—that towns need to attract engineers, architects, artists, and people in other creative occupations to compete in today's economy—may be particularly relevant to rural communities, which tend to lose much of their talent when young adults leave. The ERS creative class codes indicate a county's share of population employed in occupations that require "thinking creatively." Data are provided for all counties in the U.S. for 1990 and 2000. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/CreativeClassCodes/  

--The Creative Class: A Key to Rural Growth - The creative class thesis may be particularly relevant to rural communities, which tend to lose much of their talent when young adults leave for college, the Armed Forces, or "city lights." The creative class lives mostly in urban settings, but is also found in rural areas with mountains, lakes, and other rural amenities. Nonmetro counties, with higher proportions of people in creative class occupations tended to have higher rates of patent formation and manufacturing technology adoption in the 1990s—and higher rates of job growth in 1990-2004. See www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April07/Features/Creative.htm  

--Bioenergy - Rising fossil fuel prices and policy changes, including the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, have created an environment where research development and investment in renewable energy sources have gained new momentum. Among renewable energy sources, bioenergy derived from plant materials has been one of the most rapidly growing sectors. In the United States at this time, ethanol (produced mainly from corn) is the largest source of bioenergy used as a fuel additive or substitute for petroleum fuel, while biodiesel (made from vegetable oils and fats) provides a smaller share of bioenergy. ERS information products include current estimates and projections of commodity supply, demand, and retail food prices. Further information and analyses describe conditions of the U.S. agricultural system, land use, rural communities, and the environment, and the impacts that bioenergy development may have on these areas. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/Bioenergy/  

--AMBER WAVES, APRIL 2007 Amber Waves presents the broad scope of ERS’s 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 “eZine,” includes links to web-only resources, such as podcasts and additional articles. See http://www.ers.usda.gov/Amberwaves/  

--Experience Counts: Farm Business Survival in the U.S. - Farming, like other businesses, exhibits high turnover, with many thousands of existing farms going out of business each year. As in other industries, new farm businesses enter at a high rate and new entrants subsequently exit at high rates, irrespective of the size of the farm or the age of the operator. Exit rates fall as businesses age to 5-9 years old, and then fall again, although modestly, for more experienced farm businesses. Experience seems to provide an important advantage to well-established businesses that can learn quickly and efficiently. See www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April07/Features/Experience.htm  

--Population Dynamics are Changing the Profile of Rural Areas - Nonmetro America is less ethnically diverse and older than the rest of the country, though demographic trends indicate some changes lie ahead. Nonmetro populations will continue to be older than metro populations because a greater proportion of retirees are moving to nonmetro counties than metro counties, and because older people account for a larger share of the population in counties that are losing residents. Hispanic population growth is counteracting persistent population decline in many rural counties, especially in the Midwestern and Great Plains States. See www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April07/Features/Population.htm   

--Improving Food Choices- Can Food Stamps Do More? - The Food Stamp Program has changed over time from primarily focusing on getting a sufficient quantity of food to an increased emphasis on also choosing healthful foods with high nutritional quality. Proposed strategies for improving diets of Food Stamp Program participants include restricting the types of foods purchasable with food stamp benefits and offering bonuses or vouchers for buying healthful foods such as fruits and vegetables. See www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April07/Features/Improving.htm  

--15 Sites for Promoting Your Local Business -Want to get your name out to locals and visitors alike?  Discover some great online marketing sites in this article from Entrepreneur.com.  http://www.entrepreneur.com/advertising/adsbytype/onlineads/article174914.html

--Dealing with Zoning Laws for Your Home-Based Business - Are you breaking the law simply by starting a home-based business? It is necessary to research your city's zoning laws or you could put your business at risk.  AllBusiness.com provides some helpful hints that will help you determine if your business is complying with the applicable zoning laws. http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses
/home-based-business/3348-1.html  

-- GetGo is an online marketplace designed to link Minnesota entrepreneurs with "angel" investors (individuals who provide capital for business start-ups).  The online network also brings the resources of sponsoring businesses, schools, and government to bear on building a smarter, more prosperous climate for the state's small business community.  See:  www.getgomn.org

-- HUD has just released estimated median family incomes and income limits for FY 2007. The estimates are based on OMB Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), and cover 530 metro areas and 2,045 nonmetro areas in the U.S. and its territories. The estimates are used as the basis for income limits in several HUD programs (including Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, CDBG, and HOME), as well as programs run by the USDA, the Department of Treasury (Low Income Housing Tax Credits), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Housing Finance Board and Government Sponsored Enterprises. The estimates and income limits are available as a free download from HUD USER
at www.huduser.org/datasets/il/il07/index.html.  

--The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) has released its 2007 Advocates’ Guide to Housing and Community Development Policy. It explains various housing issues and programs and what advocates are doing to end America’s affordable housing problems. To download, go to http://www.nlihc.org/template/page.cfm?id=46.
 
--Students who attend consolidated rural high schools face longer bus rides and are less likely to participate in extra-curricular activities because of the challenge of transportation. This is one finding in “Slow Motion: Traveling by School Bus in Consolidated Districts in West Virginia,” a new publication from the Rural School and Community Trust. Read the report at www.ruraledu.org/site/apps/nl/content3.
asp?c=beJMIZOCIrH&b=1842453&ct=3673171.

--NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership and Counseling (NCHEC) and E*Trade Financial have launched a new website supporting homeownership education and counseling efforts. “Keys to My Home has calculators, learning modules, and comparison tools. Check it out at www.keystomyhome.org.

Minnesota Rural Partners is a nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
October 2006 (Mini)
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
Mini-May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
Mid-April 2005
April 2005
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