May 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
GRACEFUL ENDINGS AND PROMISING BEGINNINGS

Next week Minnesotans begin the countdown to a major anniversary – our 150th year of statehood. We will kickoff that countdown on the 149th anniversary of statehood, next Friday, May 11, 2007, at the Rural Summit in Brainerd. Statehood confers on each of us special privileges and responsibilities as citizens not only of the United States of America, but of Minnesota. Part of the responsibility of citizenship is looking ahead, having foresight, and that is one of the things we will honor at the Rural Summit, May 10 & 11, with its theme on “Thriving by Design.”

We hope the Summit and Sesquicentennial will help each of us strive to be more intentional about how we work across disciplines; we hope it can teach each of us how to plan and design to ensure we can support the high quality of life and economic opportunity we have become accustomed to in Minnesota. It’s like democracy itself. It doesn’t just happen. You have to work at it over many lifetimes, built on the shoulders and footsteps of the visionary, ingenious people who came before us.

To reinforce our commitment to Minnesota and its special anniversary, Minnesota Rural Partners staff has decided that the 2007 Rural Summit, the 10th annual Rural Summit, will be the last that we will manage for the foreseeable future. We plan to devote significant energy to connecting Minnesotans -- urban and rural -- through collaboration with the Sesquicentennial initiatives, including the process to develop a Sesquicentennial Plan for the Future.  We are also in process to donate BizPathways to a worthy new home. In short, we are paring down because we want to be connectors, not duplicators. We are a small non-profit, with one full-time employee and several part-time contractors, as many non-profits are these days and to do our work well, we have to focus and connect.

Minnesota is very rich in resources for rural areas, compared to other states (though overall, there are never enough resources to do what we should do as responsible stewards and good neighbors to one another). We have many organizations devoted to funding and working on special rural causes and individual regions of Minnesota, which is unique among states. We have a fine Center for Rural Policy and Development that researches rural issues. And for 10 years, we have been proud to work with many of these organizations to fundraise for, coordinate and manage the Rural Summit.

We would be happy to see the management of the Rural Summit picked up by another organization, but for now, we want to go out on a high note and hope you will join us in Brainerd next week. I know you are sick of me saying this, but for one last time….There’s still time to register at www.minnesotaruralpartners.org/2007_summit/index.html
 
You won’t believe the extraordinary program and presenters we have, including the announcement of the Thriving by Design competition winners (wait ‘til you see the imagination expressed in the youth category and the thoughtful ideas from the adult category). And as always, we continue to help make connections – this time between entrepreneurship and design strategies.

If you think entrepreneurship will work in your community the way communities are designed now, think again. The natural and built environment continues to play a strong role in determining the success or failure of enterprise. At the Summit, you’ll hear that story told from before Minnesota was a state, to present day.  Every attendee will also get a copy of the MRP Rural Resource Directory – updated for 2007, a compendium of rural resources across the spectrum of disciplines and geography.

Please join us to say goodbye to an old friend we have come to treasure – the great gathering called the Minnesota Rural Summit. And say hello to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be front and center for the catalyst called the Sesquicentennial: Minnesota at 150 – Exceptional People in an Exceptional Place.©

FUNDING

--The Blandin Foundation is pleased to announce the Pre-Application Workshop schedule for two new foundation grant programs supporting the development and use of broadband in rural communities in Minnesota.  The Light Speed Grant Program will provide matching funds to support project implementation of new community broadband applications, including but not limited to education and health care. The Open Network Feasibility Fund will provide matching grants to communities for feasibility studies for Open Access Telecommunications Networks. For Program details and the pre-application workshop schedule, go to http://www.blandinfoundation.org/html/public_bb_ls_oafs.cfm.
 
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of these workshops.  There is no fee, but you should RSVP by sending your contact information and seminar location choice to broadband@blandinfoundation.org.  You are encouraged to forward this announcement to your area health care and educational leadership as the Light Speed program might be just what they need to move forward on planned projects. Please direct any questions to Bill Coleman at bill@communitytechnologyadvisors.com  or 651-491-2551.
--USDA Rural Development Value Added Producer Grant program (VAPG) is now open with a deadline of May 16th.  The web site for the VAPG program is: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm   Questions can be sent to:
Karen Thompson at 763-682-1151 or email: Karen.Thompson@mn.usda.gov
Butch Koehmstedt at 218-681-2843 or email: Francis.Koehmstedt@mn.usda.gov  
 
--USDA Rural Development has $15 million of grant funds nationally for Distance Learning and Telemedicine services.  Applications must be filed by June 11, 2007.  Eligible applicants shall a) currently or propose to deliver Distance Learning or Telemedicine services; b) be a legal entity with capacity to contract with US Government. These include: corporations, partnerships, Indian Tribes, state or local governments, and consortiums; and c) operate a rural facility or provide service to entities that provide Distance Learning or Telemedicine services in rural areas. All application materials are available on the web at www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm  
You may also contact Andrew Gag (218) 847-9392, Ext 120 or Bill Slininger (651) 602-7810 for more details.

--The Archer Daniels Midland Company will make four grants of $10,000 each under its Community Partnership program funding nonprofits working on community improvement projects in agricultural areas where ADM operates. The deadline is June 30. For more information, visit http://www.admworld.com.  
--U.S. HUD has $16,830,000 for grants nationally in the Rural Housing and Economic Development Program (RHED). The purpose of the RHED program is to provide support for innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas. The deadline is May 23. For more information, visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa07/grprhed.cfm  or contact Thann Young or Linda L. Streets at 202-708-2290.

--The U.S. Department of Education has grants available for rural schools to assist them in meeting their state’s definition of adequate yearly progress. Applicants are entitled to funds if they meet basic eligibility requirements. The deadline is June 1. Go to http://www.ed.gov/programs/reapsrsa/index.html  for more information.

--The Dana Foundation is offering one- and two-year grants of up to $50,000 for art education professional development programs in rural communities. The grants will be given primarily to train professional artists teaching performing arts in public schools. The deadline for letters of intent is June 4. Visit www.dana.org for more information.

--The Tribal Transit Technical Assistance Program, funded by the USDA Rural Business and Cooperative Service assists tribal communities in promoting economic growth and development by improving transportation services. The program provides planning assistance for facilities development, transit service improvements and expansion, new system start-up, policy and procedure development, marketing, transportation coordination, training and public transit problem solving activities. Deadlines are rolling. For more information, visit http://www.ctaa.org/techassist/usda/projects/tpttap_brochure.asp
--- As a follow-up to their Unlocking the Seven Revolutions event in April, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is seeking proposals for projects that are focused on future trends addressing the following issues:
•     Population: Retention of the aging population in the workforce
•     Population: Immigrants and their value to the workforce  
•     Resources: Alternative energy
•     Technology: Community support of biotechnology entrepreneurship
•     Information: Relearning and life-long education
One $10,000 grant will be awarded in each of the five categories listed above, totaling $50,000 altogether.  Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate strong, engaged asset-based partnerships. For eligibility and application visit www.smifoundation.org/SevenRevs-RFP.pdf Pre-applications are due by June 1, 2007.  A full application will be requested from selected projects; awards to be announced on or around September 1st, 2007.
Additional Resources:

 * Sue Draayer, Voices Program Officer, at sued@smifoundation.org or 507-455-3215
 * Seven Revolutions" -- Center for Strategic and International Studies, www.7revs.org
 * Discovering Community Power: A Guide to Mobilizing Local Assets and Your Organization's Capacity, Kretzmann and McKnight, www.northwestern.edu/ipr/abcd/kelloggabcd.pdf
To learn more about SMIF's regional commitment to building strong communities and businesses in southern Minnesota visit www.smifoundation.org  

MEETINGS

--Policy Awareness Training will be held Thursday, May 3 in Staples, MN.  It is hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs along with Minnesota Rural Partners and the Todd County Development Corporation. The first training will occur in Staples, MN, at T-Maxwell’s, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  There is a small registration fee of $10 payable at registration.

The first part of the session is focused on connecting with elected officials.  The second part of the session will center on an interactive exercise that will help participants understand and critically analyze policy in order to answer such questions as “What behavior and decision does the policy reward and encourage? What are the community impacts of the policies?”  The third section focuses on all aspects of successful media connection.  And the fourth session teaches how to create power for change and the tools necessary to engage and motivate members of the community.      For more information contact Alex Weego, 320-732-2128, alex.weego@co.todd.mn.us or Phil Monson, pthimons@msn.com.

--Finding Funding - An Overview of the Grant Seeking and Grantwriting Process will be held Wednesday, May 16 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room - Second Floor of the Willmar Public Library, 410 5th Street SW., Willmar.  $39 registration received before May 10 or $49 registration received after May 10.  For more info contact Susan Lorenz at 877-253-4380 or slorenz@communitygiving.org  

-- Maximizing Your Volunteer Potential will be held May 17 from 9am – 4pm at the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls.  Join this workshop and learn practical ways to support and enhance the tremendous value volunteers add to your communities. Anyone who coordinates volunteers in a formal volunteer program or an informal, community-based project will find this workshop useful. General Sessions include: Volunteerism – More Relevant than Ever, Strengthening the Spirit of Volunteerism in Your Community, Recruiting Volunteers, Retention & Recognition of Volunteers. Breakout sessions include: Supervising Volunteers and Working with Volunteers in Coalitions & Community-Based Projects. Program Fee: $65.  More information can be found at: www.ifound.org.

--Green by Design Conference will be held May 16 and 17, 2007 at The Depot in Minneapolis sponsored by Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, together with their partners the Family Housing Fund and Enterprise.  They believe that by supporting sustainable development and green affordable housing we can provide a needed local response to a global challenge. While their focus is on meeting the needs of low-income families and communities, they see direct connections between their work in green affordable housing and similar work within the environmental community and the green design fields.  This conference offers a rich assortment of workshops on urban and rural design, green building, and provocative presentations on global warming, peak oil production, and our increasingly unstable energy future.   Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be the keynote speaker for this event.  To register go to:  http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=122404

--Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Symposium on Small Towns!!!  The focus of this year’s 5th Annual Symposium on Small Towns is "Leveraging Resources to Improve Schools and Communities.”  It will be June 5th and 6th at the University of Minnesota, Morris.  It will explore opportunities for collaboration between our learning institutions and community revitalization initiatives.  Participants will hear from keynote speakers, a legislative panel, and join roundtable style conversations to explore the roles, interdependent relationships, and opportunities for improving our schools and communities. This Symposium will also feature showcase displays of School - Community Partnerships.  For on-line registration and more information go to: www.centerforsmalltowns.org or www.mncampuscompact.org

-- "Preparing Your Community for Climate and Energy Change: Opportunities for Local Sustainability" is a one-day conference is being sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 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.

It 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 your 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 joint international conference of the Community Development Society and the National Rural Development Partnership will be June 17-20, 2007 in Appleton, Wisconsin. The theme, "Discover the Magic of Community: History, Change and Regional Development" will explore all the latest trends in development that community and rural development practitioners, educators and policy makers have been working on worldwide. 
You can also register online and/or find a detailed program agenda at http://www.comm-dev.org

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

OPPORTUNITIES

----Nominate an Organization for the Nonprofit Mission and Excellence Awards through the Nonprofit Mission and Excellence Awards, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and MAP for Nonprofits will recognize the contributions of Minnesota nonprofits to the high quality of life in our communities. You can help showcase some of our state's most promising nonprofits by nominating an organization for one of six awards.  To nominate an organization by May 31st go to:  http://www.mncn.org/awards.htm

----National Preservation Conference Scholarships:  Interested in attending the National Preservation Conference to be held in St. Paul on October 2-7, 2007?  One hundred (100) scholarships are available for applicants whose attendance will benefit their community and whose commitment to historic preservation will be strengthened by their participation.  Applications are available online at www.mnpreservation.org.  For a hard copy of the application and complete details, please contact Kelli Andre of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, at 651-293-9047 or by email at kandre@mnpreservaiton.org. Scholarship applications must be received by June 1.

--2007 Governor’s Faith and Community Service Initiatives Best Practices Awards Nominations are now being accepted. Nominations are accepted through August 10, 2007. Nominees will be considered for entry into a best practices database where practices worthy of replication can be highlighted. Nomination forms and additional information about the awards criteria may be found at www.faithandcommunity.state.mn.us.

--Minnesota Sesquicentennial Fellows Program The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission is recruiting undergraduate and graduate students to work as Minnesota Sesquicentennial Fellows, starting immediately and throughout the next two years (May 08-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.  You can learn more about the Sesquicentennial at www.mn150years.org.
 
-- Position Announcement: VISTA Member, Initiative Foundation.  The Initiative Foundation is seeking a VISTA Member (Volunteers In ServiceTo America) to join our staff team. The position is a volunteer position with monthly stipend of $865 as well as other benefits. A one year commitment is required. Position Summary:  Across our programs, poverty is an issue – and we’re looking for a motivated, creative, self-directed individual to help us focus on poverty reduction efforts. The position offers daily variety, travel within central MN, and broad experience working with different programs. The position will take a lead role in special projects including, but not limited to:  researching poverty-related topics for articles in our Initiative Quarterly magazine, researching resources and grant making opportunities around financial literacy, and improving access to parenting education and resources by incarcerated parents and their families.  For more information, contact Initiative Foundation 877.632.9255, Ashley Vargo avargo@ifound.org or Chris Fastner cfastner@ifound.org
  
-- Youth For Understanding-YFU-USA is a non-profit foreign student exchange program.  They are looking for outlets to connect with others about their International Exchange Program Information and are looking for Host Families for students.  The students are coming to the Heartland for the full school year; however, they offer hosting opportunities of 12 weeks, one semester or up to the full school year. For more information contact:  Mary Wennerstrum, Minnesota Lakes/North Dakota Field Director at wennerstrum@yfu.org or call 866-493-8872 toll free.  The organizations site is www.yfu-usa.org

MISCELLANEOUS

--The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 is up for renewal this year. The Agriculture Committees in Congress have begun debating ideas and crafting legislation. In a recent publication, USDA’s Economic Research Service 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. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/FarmBill2007/

--The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has released the Spring 2007 edition of Community Developments Investments focusing on community development venture capital (CDVC). Go to: http://www.occ.gov/cdd/CDVC-Ezine2007/cd/index.html  

EDITOR’s NOTE: As always, please send us your news items and announcements. We will endeavor to keep this newsletter going as long as we can. Please know that we don’t get paid to do this --- it’s our contribution to our Minnesota neighbors far and wide. Donations are accepted to pay the internet bills. You can contact us at jleonard@minnesotaruralpartners.org.

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

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