The following is from Christine Sorensen, rural development coordinator for the U. S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development in Pierre, S.D. Read on for valuable resources for rural communities, including several grant opportunities.

Resources for rural communities, January 24, 2014

By Heidi Marttila-Losure January 24, 2014

NEWS

The Brookings Area Commute Region comprised of Brookings, Deuel, Hamlin, Kingsbury and Moody counties was created and awarded the opportunity for Stronger Economies Together (SET) coaching and the kickoff event has been scheduled. Please join us: Thursday, January 30, 2014, Volga Community Center, 109 Samara Ave,. Volga., 4:00-6:30 PM with a complimentary full meal provided. Email me for more information. The regional team will develop a vision and goals, examine regional demographics, opportunities, assets and barriers, and create a regional economic development plan over the next year. Training and technical assistance will be delivered by a core team of SDSU Extension and USDA RD staff as well as state-wide and area resource providers and experts

USDA Rural Development is seeking applications for the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program. RBEG’s are available to public bodies, non-profit entities and Indian Tribes who desire to finance and facilitate the development of small and emerging private business enterprises in rural areas. Applicants wishing to be considered for Native American funds should be submitted by March 15, 2014. All other applications should be submitted by April 15, 2014 in order to be considered for 2014 funding. Please note that applications need to be reviewed at the local level and should be sent in 30 days prior to the dates noted above. For more information on the RBEG program visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_rbeg.html

Nominations for South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development Community of the Year and Excellence in Economic Development awards are due February 10, 2014. The public is encouraged to nominate communities and volunteers that have gone above and beyond the call of duty in finding local economic development solutions. More information and nomination forms

The South Dakota School Garden Grant and SDSU Extension Seed Bank opened Jan. 15 to help support garden-based education projects in South Dakota. See details at: http://igrow.org/news/youth-gardening-grants-open-jan.-15/ Three South Dakota School Garden Grant Available– Applications are due Feb. 3, with award winners announced on Feb. 12. This program provides K-12 schools with funding and development support to help them launch successful garden projects. Award winners will receive project coaching from SDSU Extension staff, 20 seed packets, and $1,000 for purchasing construction supplies, tools/equipment, plants and programming materials. SDSU Extension Seed Bank is offering 50 educational gardens up to 20 seed packets. The seeds are intended for educational gardens (new or established) in schools, learning centers, daycares, for 4-H or youth clubs, community gardens or other non-profit groups with educational garden programs (youth or adult) in the state of South Dakota. Applications will be accepted until Feb 28 or until 50 gardens are awarded packets.

Harvest of the Month projects are open for applicants with funding that has been made available through the SD Department of Health. You may apply using the attached application through SDSU Extension which is collaborating to manage the mini-grants. You will be required to assist with pre- and post-implementation data collection to assess the impact of this project. Don’t delay as these applications are on a first come basis while funds are available. Email applications to karlys.wells@sdstate.edu A new component for 2014 will involve local grocers or farmer’s markets in promoting fruits and vegetables as well. This option that includes distribution in grocery outlets is available. The new materials complement the HOM in schools with the HOM/ Pick it! Try it! Like it! component (http://igrow.org/healthy-families/health-and-wellness/pick-it-try-it-like-it/). The mini-grant information is attached.

Income Opportunities for Small Acreages Workshop…MONDAY, JANUARY 27^th 10 AM- 2 PM-Free Educational Seminar– Meal Provided. Join us and hear from our GUEST SPEAKERS who are successfully earning income by raising CHICKENS, GOATS, OTHER FIBER PRODUCING ANIMALS and WILDLIFE HABITAT. Learn how you can create your own small business in one of these ways or by using your own ideas and hobbies. This informative, exciting program will be held in the Mission area at the SINTE GLESKA UNIVERSITY Multi-Purpose Building (at SGU’s Antelope Lake Campus, SE of Mission, SD). For more information or directions, please contact Rachel at Rosebud Extension at 856-2198. Also please note that this session will be repeated in Kyle, SD on Feb. 3^rd. Poster attached.

The South Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), in partnership with the South Dakota Board of Regents, will host the 4^th annual Diversity Summit Feb. 6-7 at the Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City, SD. The summit is an education and outreach component of a South Dakota EPSCoR program funded by the National Science Foundation. The program’s goal is to help build a diverse and well-prepared science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce for South Dakota. Registration for the event is available at https://www.stemregistration.com/sd/epscor. For more information, contact Phillip Huebner at phillip.huebner@sdbor.edu or Mj Powers at mj.powers@sdstate.edu

Native Food Sovereignty Summit is April 14-17: Registration is open for the Second Annual Native Food Sovereignty Summit that will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, April 14-17, 2014. Once again, First Nations is a proud co-sponsor of this important event. Co-sponsors are the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, the Intertribal Agriculture Council and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

PUBLICATIONS

“During the peak of the Great Recession, Warren Buffet was interviewed on CNBC and asked ‘what will bring America back to prosperity?’ His response, we believe, is the foundation of America’s capacity to create wealth. Mr. Buffet responded that it will be the same force that has always brought prosperity to America – ‘the regenerative power of American capitalism.’ Underlying this ‘regenerative power’ are some core American values – democracy, economic opportunity, innovation, entrepreneurship, resource abundance.” Read more from Chapter 2 of Transfer of Wealth in Rural America.

2014 – 2015 Occupational Outlook Handbook: National Crosswalk Center Update

The National Crosswalk Center has provided this advisory for the labor market information community. The note regarding the Occupational Outlook Handbook to O*NET crosswalk may be of particular interest. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has just released the 2014-15 Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/). Employment outlook information is based on the 2012-22 employment projections released by BLS last month.

Here are some related resources that may be of use:

· OOH to O*NET occupation crosswalk: BLS has created an Excel spreadsheet that contains this information (http://www.bls.gov/emp/classifications-crosswalks/NEM_ONET_to_SOC_Crosswalk.xls). If you’d like to receive this information in a format other than Excel, contact the NCSC and we’ll do the translation for you.
· Occupational characteristics: For a number of versions of the OOH, BLS produced a related publication and database, Occupational Projections and Training Data (OPTD). The OPTD included characteristics of occupations, including typical education and training requirements. They no longer produce this resource. We’ve consolidated a variety of information they release along with their employment projections into a single file. Access, FoxPro and delimited text versions are available in http://webdata.xwalkcenter.org/ftp/download/matrix12/optd2012.zip. That file also contains descriptions of the variables included.

Crowdfunding Made a Splash in 2013, 2014 Could be Turning Point – Crowdfunding was poised to make a major splash on startup financing in 2013, aided by the passage of the 2012 JOBS Act, a projected explosion in the number of crowdfunding portals and the adoption of state crowdfunding exemptions. However, the crowdfunding industry did not have the anticipated gamechanging impact on startup financing. Read more…

Crop acreage has shifted to larger farms Researchers can track the shift of cropland into larger farms using a measure that splits the distribution of U.S. acreage so that half of all cropland is on farms larger than the midpoint and half is on smaller farms. Rather than reflecting an average farm, the midpoint captures the size of farm that holds the average acre. The midpoint size for all crop farms was 589 acres in 1982, and cropland has steadily shifted to larger farms since then, nearly doubling by 2011 to 1,100 acres. The shift is widespread across specific crops. Midpoints increased for most fruit and vegetable crops, with an average increase of 100 percent between 1987 and 2007 (the last year for which census data are currently available). Midpoints also more than doubled for all major field crops over this period. For example, the midpoint enterprise size for corn (the harvested acreage on each farm) rose from 200 acres in 1987 to 600 acres in 2007. A chart is found in “Cropland Consolidation and the Future of Family Farms” in the September 2013 issue of Amber Waves magazine.

Rural-Urban Commuting Area Codes The rural-urban commuting area codes (RUCA) classify U.S. census tracts using measures of urbanization, population density, and daily commuting. The latest RUCA codes are based on data from the 2010 decennial census and the 2006-10 American Community Survey.

A new report from EPA describes assistance to the Spokane Tribe of Indians to address its water and sewer system challenges, including water shortages, drinking water delivery, pipe and pump failures, and design and maintenance of sewage management systems. Through the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance program, EPA helped the tribe in eastern Washington develop a comprehensive water infrastructure plan, which forms the foundation for future housing, transportation, and economic development planning. Read the report: Long-term Planning for Sustainable Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Wellpinit, Washington, for the Spokane Tribe of Indians

Pattern of Rural Job Loss Continues: Employment is up nationally, but rural counties lost 17,000 more jobs from November 2012 to 2013.

TOOLS

Google mapping technology can provide both the internal-facing data visualization programs to aid decision-makers and the public-facing mapping applications to engage customers. We share case studies of agencies that found innovation and success after adopting a data mapping strategy. In addition, we speak with industry experts and government leaders to explain how you can begin leveraging data mapping and visualization technology at your agency. Download PDF

Take Your Marketing to the Next Level with eTailing curriculum– With this changing landscape for retailers, North Dakota State University (NDSU) and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Services teamed up to provide rural and small-business owners with an educational program, “eTailing: Taking Charge of Your Online Presence,” at http:go.unl.edu/etailing. This new self-help program is designed to help business owners understand e-tailing and make plans to incorporate on online marketing strategy into their total marketing strategy to reach existing customers as well as expand their reach for new customers.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced MarketLink, a website that provides farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers with a new, streamlined process for becoming authorized Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) vendors and information about obtaining the equipment needed to accept SNAP benefits. Up to $4 million in grants for equipment will be available through September 30, 2014 for those who qualify.

As a one-stop-shop, MarketLink provides farmers and markets with information about wireless EBT equipment providers, wireless plans, USDA-approved payment processors and their rates and terms, along with relevant links to become an authorized SNAP retailer and to determine eligibility for free EBT equipment.

USTechVets.org to Connect Veterans with Careers in the U.S. Technology Sector

Today, at the 2014 International CES, leaders from top U.S. technology industry trade associations announced the launch of USTechVets.org, an online community to connect the one million service members who are transitioning back into civilian life to employment opportunities within the technology industry. Sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and Monster Worldwide, Inc Monster.com, U.S. Tech Vets’ seeks to facilitate veterans’ transition to civilian careers, reduce veteran unemployment and provide America’s veteran workforce access to jobs within the technology industry. Joining CEA and NVTC in this effort are several national technology associations including the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), CompTIA, Electronic Security Association (ESA), National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Professional Services Council (PSC), Security Industry Association (SIA), Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), and Wireless Infrastructure Association (PCIA). In addition, DAV, a national veterans advocacy and assistance organization with more than 1.2 million members, is partnering to promote U.S. Tech Vets to its constituents.

More …

Working with Rural Volunteers – www.ruralvolunter.org – go to left-side menu and click on “Get the Toolkit.” You will need a gmail account to download the toolkit. You can also order hardcopy from the website (there is a cost). It is a wonderful resource that includes forms, worksheets, releases, volunteer information sheets, and more. It is well researched and tested tool, over a 3 year period. Good for those just starting out to work with volunteers, and others who have been doing it a while, and wish to improve their volunteer recruitment/management practices.

Entrepreneurship Competency Model – The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education (CEE), and the Dept. of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has worked with education, business, and industry leaders to develop a comprehensive competency model for entrepreneurship as it relates to all careers areas. The model is designed to be adaptable along with changing skill requirements. http://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/pyramid.aspx?ENTRE=Y

Western Economy Atlas, Headwaters Economics | READ STORY

This interactive tool from Headwaters Economics presents information on the economic landscape of the westernmost eleven states of the U.S. Economic trends can be investigated at the state, regional, and county levels. Montana, for instance, has gained over 13,000 jobs in the health care/social assistance field–the most in any field–but the retail industry still provides the most jobs, over 70,000 total.

Open Source Ecology – A Network of Farmers, Engineers, and Supporters Building the Global Village Construction Set. The Global Village Construction Set (GVCS) is a modular, DIY, low-cost, high-performance platform that allows for the easy fabrication of the 50 different Industrial Machines that it takes to build a small, sustainable civilization with modern comforts. These include farm equipment, brick making tool, cement mixer, sawmill, and many more. Open source blueprints using commonly available parts. Self-reliant economy

LEARNING

Cooperative Interstate Shipment: How’s It Going So Far? A Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network webinar, presented in collaboration with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Date: February 4, 2014/ Time: 1pm Eastern (12 Central, 11am Mountain, 10am Pacific) To attend: Go to https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/nichemeat 5-10 minutes before start time and log in as a guest. Ohio and Wisconsin were the first two states to qualify for the new Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, which allows state-inspected meats from qualifying plants to be shipped across state lines. The program was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill and launched by FSIS in 2012. The goal of the program was to expand market opportunities for small meat and poultry processors. Ohio was the first state to qualify, in August 2012, followed by Wisconsin. Webinar information: http://www.extension.org/pages/70151/cooperative-interstate-shipment:-how-is-it-going

WEBINAR: 2014 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard, Thursday, January 30, 2014 | Noon – 1 pm EST

Join CFED at noon EST on Thursday, January 30 for the webinar release of the 2014 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard—the leading source of state-level data on financial security and policy solutions. During this webinar, CFED experts will discuss data on asset poverty and measures of household financial security, as well as trends on state policies that help families achieve financial security and climb the economic ladder. As always, participation in this webinar is free, but advanced registration is required. To sign up, click here.

WEBINAR: Free Webinar: Preparing for the Unexpected: Is Your Organization Ready? Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2014, Time: 2:30 – 4:00 pm Eastern
When a disaster strikes, business as usual is derailed. Organizations with their own preparedness plans in place are more effective in disaster recovery. This free webinar will address organizational preparedness, from the steps that will keep your agency functioning to the plans that will coordinate business and community recovery.
Three speakers will share their experience and lessons learned in this free webinar. Tish Williams will draw on her experience at the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and their experience in Hurricane Katrina. Diana Donovan will share the Encino Chamber of Commerce’s experience facilitating an organizational and community plan for disaster. Nationally-known expert in disaster planning and business continuity, Dr. Steven Lewis will share his experience in helping organizations prepare for the worst.
Join IEDC on February 12th, for Preparing for the Unexpected: Is Your Organization Ready? Attend this webinar to learn how to prepare your organization for a disaster including, the sections of a comprehensive organizational plan, roles for staff, volunteers and board of directors, and identifying what may be missing from the preparedness plan.

RECORDED WEBINAR: The Kansas City Federal Reserve held a December 4, 2013 webinar which explored how entrepreneurship-based economic development strategies can help build healthy economies and a strong economic future. The webinar is now archived for viewing.

AGRICULTURE & FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE (AFRI) & AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS & RURAL COMMUNITIES (AERC) FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAM AREA

National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

· Letters of intent are required for these programs (a new requirement of AERC in 2014), due on February 19, and the application deadline for full proposals is April 28, 2014. You cannot submit a proposal if you do not first submit a letter of intent.

· The 2014 AFRI Foundational Request for Applications can be found at: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/14_afri_foundation_mod.pdf

· For Grant-Writing Tips and Other AFRI Information, see: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/afri/afri.html

· For more information on AERC including a link to abstracts of projects funded in the past (2011), see: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/agricultureeconomicsandruralcommunitiesafri.cfm

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Robbin Shoemaker at 202-720-5468 e-mail: rshoemaker@nifa.usda.gov

WEBINAR: NADO and NACo January 30 Webinar to Highlight Innovative Local Economic Resilience Initiatives, January 30 from 2:00-3:15pm ET
Counties, regions, and communities that can foresee, adapt, and leverage changing economic conditions are best positioned to attract and grow new businesses, retain skilled workers, and promote a high quality-of-life. As a result of constrained local budgets and economic uncertainties, counties must think creatively about their local and regional strengths and how to translate those assets into economic growth. To address this, the National Association of Counties (NACo) recently released a report, “Strategies to Bolster Economic Resilience: County Leadership in Action”, to highlight how counties across the country are pursuing creative and innovative policies, partnerships, and initiatives to create healthy, safe, vibrant, and economically resilient communities. On January 30 from 2:00-3:15pm ET, NADO, in conjunction with NACo, will host a webinar that overviews the findings from the report and features three county leaders that are pursuing long-range planning efforts, growing and supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses, and engaging in workforce development programs and education to encourage economic growth and lasting resilience. Click here to register for the webinar.

VIDEO SERIES: How to Read Research Findings to Distinguish Evidence-Based Programs from Everything Else: User-Friendly Tools for Policy Officials and Stakeholders

The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy has announced the availability of a workshop —

How to Read Research Findings to Distinguish Evidence-Based Programs from Everything Else: User-Friendly Tools for Policy Officials and Stakeholders. The workshop consists of two brief video series (available here at no charge, 90 minutes total), followed by eight optional weekly conference calls providing hands-on experience reviewing actual studies (costing $150 for all eight sessions).

The next set of conference calls starts the week of April 21. To participate, please contact David Anderson (danderson@coalition4evidence.org, 202-239-1248).

Value Added Producer Grant Webinar that we hosted for Tribal Applicants is available to view through the LiveMeeting server. The link is listed below. I can also provide copies of the slides and handouts for those that are interested, upon request. As a reminder, applications for the current VAPG funding opportunity are due February 24^th. VAPG Webinar for Tribal Applicants – Recording https://www304.livemeeting.com/cc/usda/view?id=QRC5SR&pw=6TB%3C%7CNrQ4

FUNDING

Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) is accepting grant applications from livestock farmers for its Fund-a-Farmer Project, which supports humane conditions for raising farm animals. Working, independent family farmers who raise pigs, broiler chickens, laying hens, dairy cows and/or beef cattle are eligible to apply for any of the three types of grants. Projects involving goats and sheep are only eligible for marketing grants. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by May 1, 2014 for awards made in August 2014. Online information sessions about the Fund-a-Farmer grant application process are scheduled for Feb. 11 and 12. Join the FACT email list to receive details about these sessions.

Applications for the next round of South Dakota Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Center, or 21st CCLC, grants are now available. The centers provide students with academic enrichment opportunities and activities designed to complement regular school instruction. These are five-year grants awarded in amounts of $50,000 to $150,000 per year. Funds are often awarded to schools, but other organizations may also apply. The grants must specifically support programs offered outside of regular school hours. Grant applications must be submitted to the South Dakota Department of Education by Feb. 28.

The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development is pleased to announce its 2013-14 small grants competition. Awards of up to $20,000 will be made to teams involving land grant employees drawn from at least two north central states. Additional partners from other regions or types of employers are welcome to join the multistate teams. Awards will be made for work in any of the following areas:

Innovation diffusion for rural development
Sustainable communities
Leadership development
Entrepreneurial communities

More complete descriptions of these themes are available on the Center’s web site at: http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/who_we_are Proposals are due at 5:00 PM (ET) on January 31, 2014. For previously funded projects to go http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/grants and click on the titles at the left (FY 12 13 Awards; FY 11 12 Awards; etc.).

Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities Program – The Department of Education has announced a funding opportunity under the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities Program. This Program is intended to:

(1) Improve results for students with disabilities by promoting the development, demonstration, and use of technology;

(2) support educational activities designed to be of educational value in the classroom for students with disabilities;

(3) provide support for captioning and video description that is appropriate for use in the classroom; and

(4) provide accessible educational materials to students with disabilities in a timely manner.

Click here for complete background and application requirements. Applications are due March 20.

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation Seeks Proposals for Social and Environmental Justice Projects -DEADLINE: MARCH 14, 2014
Grants of up to $20,000 will support nonprofit community-organizing groups in the United States working to further social and environmental justice and support sustainable and just-food systems….

Kessler Foundation Invites Proposals to Conduct Employment Status Survey of People With Disabilities-DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2014
A one-year grant of up to $500,000 will be awarded to a nonprofit, scholastic, or public institution to design and conduct a comprehensive survey on the employment status of working-age persons with disabilities….

Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators Invites Applications for k-12 Technology and Engineering Programs-DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2014
Grants of $2,000 will be awarded to ITEEA-member K-12 technology and engineering teachers to encourage the integration of a quality technology and engineering education program within their school’s curriculum….

National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Invites Grant Applications from Latino Artists and Arts Organizations-DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 6, 2014
Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to support NALAC-member working artists, ensembles, and arts organizations that demonstrate artistic excellence in pursuit of social justice through the arts…

Harpo Foundation Accepting Applications for Native American Artists Fellowships-DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2014
One-month fellowships at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont, will be awarded to Native American artists who demonstrate strong artistic ability and a practice that engages dialogue between the indigenous world and the surrounding culture….

Community Action Grants Program – Deadline: February 15, 2014. Funder: American Association of University Women (AAUW)

Champions for Healthy Kids Program – Deadline: March 15, 2014. Funder: General Mills

Grant Proposals for Youth Creativity Programs – Deadline: April 15, 2014. Funder: Lego Children’s Fund

NIFA has released its Request for Applications for the AFRI Foundational Program: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/14_afri_foundation.pdf

Description of program area 6 (Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities) begins on page 25. Description of Program Priority Area 5 (Rural Communities and Regional Development) begins on page 29. The letter of intent is due February 19. Application deadline is April 19. Please refer all questions in the RFA under your program area of interest.

Support for Organizations Assisting Low-Income Communities – Deadline: Open, Funder: The Kresge Foundation

Circles of Care: Planning and Developing Infrastructure to Improve the Mental Health and Wellness of Children, Youth and Families in American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) Communities – Application deadline: Mar 7, 2014. Funding to provide tribal and urban Indian communities with tools and resources to plan and design a holistic, community-based, coordinated system of care to support mental health and wellness for children, youth, and families. Sponsor: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Victims of Crime – Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities – Application deadline: Mar 24, 2014
Offers funding for programs that provide responses to child abuse victims and their families in Native American/Alaska Native communities. Sponsor: U.S. Department of Justice

Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program – Application deadline: Mar 24, 2014
Offers grants to develop and enhance effective plans for the Tribal government to reduce violent crimes against Indian women and increase safety for Native women. Among other things, funds domestic violence prevention campaigns, direct victim services, and training programs for certain professionals who work with victims. Sponsor: U.S. Department of Justice

Arts Midwest Invites Proposals for 2014-2015 Shakespeare in American Communities Program-DEADLINE: MARCH 12, 2014
The Shakespeare for a New Generation program supports nonprofit theater companies performing works by Shakespeare for underserved middle- and high-school students….

Proposals for Environmental, Education, Human Services Projects – Deadline: April 30, 2014. Funder: The Lawrence Foundation

William T. Grant Foundation Invites Applications for Youth Social Setting Research Projects-DEADLINE: MAY 6, 2014
Grants of up to $600,000 will be awarded for research projects that address theory, policy, and/or practice affecting the settings of youth between the ages of 8 and 25 in the United States….

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS:

The Department of Agriculture today has proposed a new information collection to build three web-based directories and describe the characteristics of food hubs, on-farm markets, and community supported agriculture (CSAs) to identify trends in their communities.

The topic areas in the survey:

— characteristics and history of on-farm markets, CSAs and food hubs

— types of products sold, including fresh, locally-grown produce

— location of the markets

— special events

— marketing methods

— participation in federal programs designed to increase consumption of fresh fruits, and vegetables Regulation.gov notice. Comments are due by March 17.