Dakotafire Get your spark here.
Christine Sorensen, rural development coordinator for the U. S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development in Pierre, S.D., sends out a jam-packed e-mail regularly with resources galore for rural communities. Here’s the latest! Read and share with your friends a colleagues. —Heidi M-L
NEWS
March 27, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will launch its ”StrikeForce” initiative in 10 additional states, including South Dakota. The primary goal of the StrikeForce initiative is to increase partnership with rural communities and leverage community resources in targeted, persistent poverty communities. Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien is scheduled to visit South Dakota in April. Mr. O’Brien will host a Tribal Round Table during the South Dakota Indian Business Alliance (SDIBA) conference being held in Rapid City, April 10 – 12th as well as attend a Stronger Economies Together regional training in Philip, SD on April 9th.
First Nations Development Institute Awards $375,000 to 10 Native Food-System Projects: Congratulations to Hunkpati Investments, Inc., Fort Thompson, South Dakota – Crow Creek Fresh Food Initiative. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org
USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects (REAP): More information on how to apply for funding is available in the March 29, 2013 Federal Register, pages 19183-19190.
• Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications until April 30, 2013;
• Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications until July 15, 2013;
• Renewable energy system feasibility study grant applications through April 30, 2013.
The State Bar of South Dakota has launched a great website highlighting Project Rural Practice that connects rural communities and rural practitioners for access to justice. Site here: http://sdrurallawyer.com/
PUBLICATIONS
DATA FOR RURAL HOUSING HIGHLIGHTED IN WINTER ISSUE OF RURAL VOICES MAGAZINE. Articles in Taking Stock of Housing in Your Community provide resources, insights, and tips for ways to access and use data to improve local rural housing conditions.
New Working Paper: Increasing Financial Capability among Economically Vulnerable Youth: MY Path: The Make Your Path (MY Path) initiative provides disadvantaged youth with peer-led financial capability trainings, a savings account at a mainstream financial institution and incentives to set and meet savings goals. Download the publication here
Farms involved in rural development related activities vary by type of activity – While rural development efforts generally focus on the nonfarm economy in the United States, over the last 10 years, several USDA Rural Development programs have put increased emphasis on funding farm-related business activities associated with renewable energy, local/regional food industries, and the use of farm and ranch natural resources. A chart from the ERS report is available at Farm Activities Associated With Rural Development Initiatives, ERR-134, May 2012.
1 in 3 Counties Now Dying, with Rural and Exurban Areas Hit Hard; Immigrants Help Avert Losses – Mar 15, 2013 — Washington Post, (DC) article reports that a record number of U.S. counties — more than 1 in 3 — are now dying off, hit by an aging population and weakened local economies that are spurring young adults to seek jobs and build families elsewhere. Nearly 46 percent of all rural (nonmetropolitan) counties had more deaths than births from July 1, 2011 to July 1, 2012.
Deaths and Births in Rural Counties – Uses a map and chart to show that 46% of rural counties had more deaths than births from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. Organization: Center for Rural Strategies. Date: 03 / 2013
Returning Home from Iraq and Afghanistan: Assessment of Readjustment Needs of Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families Presents the IOM’s comprehensive assessment of the physical, psychological, social, and economic effects of deployment on service members, veterans, their families, and their communities. Chapter 9 focuses on access and barriers to care, particularly in rural areas. Organization: Institute of Medicine. Date: 03 / 2013
The Department of Labor has announced the launch of the Business Center, a suite of online resources for employers looking to recruit, train and retain a skilled work force through the department’s CareerOneStop Web site. The CareerOneStop Business Center is available online at http://www.careeronestop.org/business.
The States Leading the U.S. Manufacturing Resurgence – http://www.areadevelopment.com/RegionalReports/Q1-2013/states-leading-US-manufacturing-resurgence-2665542.shtml Manufacturing is the backbone of America. It’s in our blood. Americans know how to build — it’s how we forged a nation, won two world wars, put men on the moon, and shaped the “new economy.” American workers are among the most productive in the world.
Viva Dona Ana (NM) Takes its Show on the Road! – To make it as easy as possible for residents in Dona Ana County, NM, to weigh in on the county’s plan for the future, Viva Dona Ana launched a series of mobile workshops in places residents typically go. Over two days the project team met with 250 residents in 10 locations – including grocery stores, restaurants, and flea markets!
Community Gardening Resource – Are you working on a community garden project and need assistance? Check out the American Community Gardening Association‘s website.
The States Leading the U.S. Manufacturing Resurgence – Exhibiting know-how and innovation, U.S. manufacturers are adding to their payrolls and economic growth across the nation. We have identified 19 states where manufacturing is leading the way… Read More. By: Mark Crawford/Area Development Magazine
Beginning farmers are less likely to inherit or purchase land from a relative than are established farmers – Beginning farms (those with an operator with 10 or fewer years of experience) made up 21 percent of all family farms in 2010, and since they are smaller, on average, than established farms, they accounted for 10 percent of the value of production on family farms. A chart is drawn and available from Beginning Farmers and Ranchers at a Glance.
TOOLS:
Self Employment Assistance Center The Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEA) is designed to encourage and support unemployed workers in creating their own jobs by starting their own small businesses. http://sea.workforce3one.org/
YourEconomy.org (YE) is a large time-series establishment data set designed to be a practical tool for researchers, business and community leaders, and economic-growth professionals. It provides, detailed – yet quick and easy-to-access – information about businesses, agencies and organizations, and jobs at the national, state, MSA, and county levels. The site also gives policymakers and journalists the benefit of being able to look at regional economies and their business and industry activities in a new way. http://www.youreconomy.org/
Food Access Research Atlas – Provides access to downloadable county-level data and an interactive map presenting information on food access indicators for low-income and other subpopulations. Organization: USDA Economic Research Service
EPA Seeking Applicants for the National Smart Growth Achievement Award EPA is seeking applicants for the 2013 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. Through this award, EPA will recognize communities with outstanding projects in four categories: (1) Built Projects; (2) Corridor and Neighborhood Revitalization; (3) Plazas, Parks, and Public Places; and (4) Policies, Programs, and Plans. The 2013 application is due by April 12, 2013.
LEARNING
WEBINAR: How to Recruit Young Adults, free webinar on April 23, 2013 at 12 pm – As rural communities age, leaders across the country are asking the same question–how can we attract young adults to our community? The Center has been working with communities to answer this question, and we have an upcoming opportunity for you to learn more.To register, click here.
Webinar:Riding the Rapids: Publicly Backed Accelerators in a Fast Flowing Market, Apr 04 • 2:00 Eastern Registration is free. Click here to register
eXtension Learning — Thirty-five (or more) different learning events in March are listed at Learn (Learn.extension.org) for your own learning or for you to share with your audiences. By participating in an event you can extend your knowledge and keep more up-to-date on conversations in your areas of expertise and interest. https://learn.extension.org/
WEBINAR: Poverty & Other Socioeconomic Distress in the North Central Region: Assessing Trends, April 11, 2012 (Thursday) 3:00 PM – Eastern Time http://connect.msu.edu/ncrcrd Registration: There is no registration and no fee for attending this webinar. To join the webinar go to http://connect.msu.edu/ncrcrd, “enter as a guest” is by default already chosen. Type your name into the text box provided, and click on “Enter Room”. You are now in the meeting room for the webinar. The webinar will be recorded and archived at http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/chronological_archive.
MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) through Coursera beginning in May titled “Sustainability of Food Systems: A Global Life Cycle Perspective.” Over 4,500 students from around the world are already enrolled. It’s completely free and open to anyone. Our University doesn’t make any money on it — it’s just meant to educate. This course explores the diversity of the foods we eat, the ways in which we grow, process, distribute, and prepare them, and the impacts they have upon our environment, health, and society. We will also examine the challenges and opportunities of creating a more sustainable global food system in the future. Taught by Jason Hill, University of MN. Here’s the link: https://www.coursera.org/course/globalfoodsystems Starts May 2013
Edward Lowe Foundation Economic Gardening website in partnership with Chris Gibbons-http://edwardlowe.org/tools-programs/economic-gardening/
Outstanding rural incubator-http://www.sanjuancollege.edu/virtualtour/?action=building_details&building_id=qcb and http://financenewmexico.org/resources/incubators/enterprise-center-at-san-juan-college/
City of Sioux Falls Environmental and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Sioux Falls, April 11-12, 2013. This training is for grant seekers across all disciplines. Learn how to find grants and write winning grant proposals. Click here for full event details.
FUNDING
SD Housing Development Authority Accepting Paint-South Dakota Applications for 2013 Campaign: SDHDA is offering an opportunity for 25 communities to participate in Paint – South Dakota for 2013 and is encouraging volunteer groups throughout the state to submit an application. As part of the campaign, SDHDA will purchase the paint and primer needed. The volunteer group will be responsible for organizing the necessary equipment, as well as preparing and painting the house. The intent of the program is to help someone in need. Nominations may be submitted to SDHDA and must be received in our office by 5:00 pm CST, April 12, 2013. Click here for more information and attached is the application ready to complete, print and submit to SDHDA. Check out SDHDA’s website for training and funding opportunities: http://www.sdhda.org/
Secretary Vilsack announced the launch of the SNAP: Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program. This program expands the scope of the existing SNAP education program by providing states with additional flexibility to support targeted nutrition education and obesity prevention activities according to the needs of SNAP recipients and low-income families in their state
Active Schools Acceleration Project Invites Applications From K-12 Schools – The ASAP Acceleration Grant program will provide $1,000 in seed money to elementary schools nationwide to implement one of three signature ASAP physical activity programs…. Deadline: April 22, 2013
World Hunger Leadership Challenge Accepting Student Entries for World Hunger Service Learning Projects – More than 435 teams comprised of students between the ages of 13 and 18 will be awarded cash prizes for service learning projects that raise awareness of world hunger…. Deadline: April 19, 2013
Caplow Children’s Prize Invites Proposals for Best Plan to Save Children’s Lives Individuals, nonprofits, government agencies, and for-profit companies are eligible to receive $1 million to directly execute interventions with a high likelihood of success for children from birth to age 5…. Deadline: May 1, 2013 (Pre-registration)
Ray C. Anderson Foundation Invites Letters of Inquiry for Environmental Grants Program – Grants of between $2,000 and $25,000 will be awarded to nonprofits conducting environmental, economic, and social sustainability initiatives in the United States….Deadline: Open (Letters of Inquiry)
Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program – Application deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Provides grants to assist in the creation of regional economic development plans, designed to increase the economic development efforts of a community or region.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program – Application deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Offers loan forgiveness to individuals working in public service jobs.
National Storytelling Network Seeks Applications for Brimstone Award for Applied Storytelling – Grants of $5,000 will be awarded in support of storytelling projects that are service-oriented, based in a community or local organization, and replicable in other places and situations…. Deadline: April 30, 2013
Johnson & Johnson Community Health Care Program Invites Applications From Evidence-Based Childhood Obesity Programs – Approximately eight grants of $200,000 will be awarded to community-based education programs that improve the knowledge and healthy lifestyle choices of children between the ages of 8 and 12…. Deadline: May 15, 2013
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Seeks Proposals that Apply Behavioral Economics Principles to Healthcare Problems – Grants of up to $200,000 will be awarded for two-year projects that test innovative solutions to the challenge of reducing the use of low-value services in health care…. Deadline: April 17, 2013 (Proposal brief)
MVAT Foundation Invites Applications From Military and Veteran Support Organizations – Grants are awarded to military and veterans organizations that support or provide services designed to promote and enrich the lives of active and retired military and their families…. Deadline: May 31, 2013 and October 31, 2013
RedRover Seeks Applications From Emergency Shelter Organizations to Help Victims of Domestic Abuse and Their Pets -As many as eight grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded to emergency shelter organizations to support the creation of space to house the pets of victims of domestic violence…. Deadline: May 15, 2013 and October 30, 2013
Make it in America Federal Funding Opportunity – The Obama Administration announced this week a new funding opportunity to encourage businesses to bring production and jobs back to the U.S. Up to 15 awards will be made to accelerate job creation by encouraging re-shoring of productive activity by U.S. firms, encouraging U.S. companies to keep or expand job opportunities at home, and train local workers to meet business needs. Click here for more information on the Make it in American Challenge; applications are due by May 31, 2013.
If you would like to be added to Christine Sorensen’s confidential listserv, e-mail her at christine.sorensen@sd.usda.gov.
