Thursday, December 20, 2012

FW: Publications, Tools, Learning, and Funding

Resources from our friends at USDA in Washington.

Of particular note: the FCC is seeking help to correct broadband maps; there are several opportunities related to rural communities – workforce and housing, especially.

Happy holidays!!

From: Agans, Suzette - RD, Washington, DC [mailto:Suzette.Agans@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 11:33 AM
Subject: Publications, Tools, Learning, and Funding

FEEDBACK SOUGHT:

Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment of Areas Shown as Unserved on the National Broadband Map for Connect America Phase 1
Dec 12, 2012 -- The Federal Communications Commission is asking for help in correcting a map showing where broadband is and isn't. In particular, the Bureau seeks comment on areas where coverage is either overstated (i.e., by omission of unserved census blocks from the list) or understated (i.e., census blocks are listed as unserved when they are in fact served).

PUBLICATIONS

Census Bureau Releases New Quarterly Workforce Indicators Data
The U.S. Census Bureau announced the release of newly available data in the Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI), a product of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Employer Household Dynamics (LEHD) program. The report includes new information on firm age and size from the Business Dynamics Statistics microdata. While the importance of young businesses to job creation and productivity growth is increasingly well understood, relatively little is known about the characteristics of the jobs generated by startups. This report uses newly created data from the QWI to shed light on characteristics of jobs at young businesses, focusing on hiring, turnover, and wages at young firms. Click here to view the full report.

Census Bureau Releases 2010 Census American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File - The 2010 Census American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File is available for states, counties, county subdivisions, places, census tracts, ZIP Code tabulation areas, congressional districts for the 111th Congress, metropolitan areas, American Indian and Alaska Native areas, tribal subdivisions and Hawaiian home lands. To preserve confidentiality, only geographic entities with a population of at least 100 for the specified group are available in the summary file.

This summary file provides statistics for the largest number of American Indian and Alaska Native groups of any Census Bureau data product. For the first time, the summary file includes detailed information on individual Central American, South American and Mexican American indigenous groups. The summary file provides statistics such as age, sex, household relationship and homeownership for more than 1,500 groups that include American Indian and Alaska Native tribal groupings, specific American Indian tribes and specific Alaska Native villages, with a population of at least 100 at the national level.

Accessing the Information

The 2010 Census American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File tables can be found on the Census Bureau’s American FactFinder website by using the “Topics” filter to select the dataset “2010 American Indian and Alaska Native SF.” Next, use the “Race and Ethnic Groups” filter to select the American Indian and Alaska Native tribal groupings, specific American Indian tribes, or specific Alaska Native villages of interest. While a variety of tables will be available, a good place to start is the Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics, which shows a summary of characteristics for one geographic area at a time.

A summary file version of the information is also available for users who want to download the set of detailed tables for all geographies and run their own analysis and rankings. The summary file contains two parts: a file with the geographic headers (in fixed-length ASCII format) and a file with the statistical information (in comma-separated ASCII format). The summary file is available for download on the FTP site.

Rural America At A Glance, 2012 Edition - This update in the annual series focuses on U.S. recovery from the 2007-09 recession, with recovery slower in nonmetro than in metro areas. As of July 2012, nonmetro employment, e.g., remained more than 3 percent below its 2007 peak.

USDA Organic sales tops $3.5 billion. WI has most organic acreage

http://www.agriview.com/briefs/crop/wisconsin-leads-organic-crops/article_899951ec-4485-11e2-87a6-001a4bcf887a.html

National Transportation Statistics, 2012 (9MB file)- Reports on various transportation statistics including the state of rural road and bridge conditions. Organization: U.S. Department of Transportation. Date: 2012

With poor 2012 harvest, U.S. corn exports continue to slip

The United States is the world’s largest corn exporter, but U.S. corn exports have generally been declining since 2007. Lower U.S. corn production in the last few years and greater use of U.S. corn for ethanol production have contributed to the smaller exportable surpluses, while higher world prices have encouraged foreign exporters to grow more corn for export. For marketing year 2012/13, the drought-reduced corn harvest is expected to further reduce U.S. corn exports to 1.2 billion bushels, the lowest since 1974/75. Domestic feed and residual use of corn is also expected to fall in 2012/13 as livestock and poultry producers respond to higher feed prices by feeding fewer animals for shorter periods. U.S. corn use for ethanol is expected to decline about 10 percent to 4.5 billion bushels as supplies tighten, prices rise, and U.S. motor fuel use declines. In spite of the decline, the share of U.S. corn used to produce ethanol is expected to remain steady at about 40 percent. A chart appears in ERS’s December 2012 Feed Outlook report.

Respite for Rural Family Caregivers: Overcoming the Challenges - Discusses care recipients and their caregivers who live in rural and frontier areas. Offers suggestions to assist family caregivers, respite providers and administrators, and Lifespan Respite grantees in finding or developing respite resources. Organization: ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center
Date: 10 / 2012

Taking Stock: Rural People, Poverty, and Housing in the 21st Century - Comprehensive assessment of rural poverty and housing in the United States using data from the 2010 Census and American Community Survey (ACS) to describe the social, economic, and housing characteristics of rural Americans. Organization: Housing Assistance Council. Date: 11 / 2012

TOOLS

5 Ways to Overcome Barriers to Youth Engagement - The reality today is that most positions of power are held by adults. So this is our challenge to you – adults with any kind of power: take youth engagement to the next level. We’ve compiled a list of five common challenges, along with possible solutions you can implement right away.

Community-Driven Solutions to Divisive Racial Issues - Leaders in Lynchburg, Va., looked for a new way to help residents grapple with issues of racism and racial equity in their increasingly diverse city. More than 2,000 people have taken part in dialogues, action forums, and other efforts to make change in their community.

HUD Launches Improved On-Line Tool to Facilitate Consultation with Indian Tribes about Federally Funded Development
Dec 7, 2012 -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today unveiled a new and improved online data tool to help HUD, state and local planning agencies, and others more clearly identify federally recognized Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Alaska Natives so they can consult with them on development projects in places that have tribal historic, environmental and cultural significance.

Easter Seals Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation in Our Nation) - Provides training and technical assistance to members of the disability and transportation communities to help address accessibility issues. Site houses a clearinghouse of free publications with capabilities to search for those related to rural transportation. Organization: Easter Seals

LEARNING

WEBINAR: America's New Industrial Revolution: A Renaissance for US Chemical Manufacturing, January 17, 2013, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Dan Borne, LA Chemical Association. From the Penn State Extension Marcellus Education Team Webinar Series 2012/2013. Registration is not necessary, and all are welcome to participate by logging in to https://meeting.psu.edu/pscems/. Contact - Carol Loveland

Phone 570-320-4429

WEBINAR: Overview of USDA Rural Development Loan Program, January 22, 2013 (Tuesday) 2:00 PM – Eastern Time. Mark Brodziski and John Broussard (USDA Rural Development)

Free webinar at http://connect.msu.edu/ncrcrd. The webinar will be presented for participants to become more familiar with the Business Programs of USDA Rural Development

Mark Brodziski is the Director of the Specialty Programs Division, Rural Business and Cooperative Programs, USDA. Mark administers loan and grant programs for the purposes of business and economic development in rural communities. His role also includes leading special projects such as expanding the utilization of Rural Business programs in low income communities. Mark previously served as the Program Director for Business and Community Programs in the WI Rural Development State Office for and has served with USDA since 1983.

John H. Broussard, Director, Business and Industry Division, USDA Rural Development. Since December 2011, John H. Broussard has been appointed as the Director, Business and Industry (B&I) Division within Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) of USDA Rural Development in Washington, DC. As the B&I Division Director, Broussard directs nationwide rural development activities of the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program of USDA Rural Development administering a portfolio in excess of $8.5 Billion. Prior to becoming Division Director, he served as the Program Director for Rural Business-Cooperative Service for the State of Louisiana and has been with USDA since 1983.

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.

FUNDING

EDA Announces Application Package for FY2013 Economic Development Assistance Programs

On November 26, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced information about the FY2013 grant application process for the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. Application packages can be downloaded from Grants.gov. The applications can either be submitted electronically or on paper to one of EDA’s regional offices. Detailed instructions on completing the funding application can be found in Section IV.B of the Funding Opportunity. The next three funding cycle deadlines are: March 13, 2013 for funding cycle 3 of FY 2013; June 13, 2013 for funding cycle 4 of FY 2013; and September 13, 2013 for funding cycle 1 of FY 2014. Click here to view the summary, full announcement, and application. An application for assistance from EDA’s other programs, which are governed by different funding opportunities are available on the agency’s website at www.eda.gov.

Funding Opportunities from HUD for Businesses Located in an Empowerment Zone (EZ) or Renewal Community (RC)

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) encourages businesses located in the 30 EZs and 40 RCs across the nation to take advantage of unused tax credits called the EZ Employment Credit and the RC Employment Credit. Worth up to $3,000 per EZ resident and up to $1,500 per RC resident, these credits are only available to businesses having worksites located in federally designated areas and that have hired employees residing in designated areas. Unused tax credits are also available to the EZ/RC business for employees who are no longer employed by that business provided the former employee has met the specific tenure requirements. The application of the tenure requirements means that the employment credits are available for both part-time and full-time employees as long as they have been employed by the employer for at least 90 days.

Even though the EZ/RC programs have expired, there is still an opportunity to take advantage of the unused EZ and RC Tax Credits, but there is a limited time for businesses to seize upon this opportunity. EZ/RC businesses can generate refund checks by amending their prior year tax returns. As of September 2012, an EZ and RC business has less than 6 months to amend its tax return for 2009. To learn more about this opportunity, read illustrative examples, and see contact information, click here for HUD’s full announcement.

Applications Open for 2013 Kinship Conservation Fellows - The goal of the annual program is to develop a community of leaders dedicated to collaborative approaches to environmental issues, with an emphasis on market-based principles.

New Music USA Invites Proposals for MetLife Creative Connections Program - Grants of up to $3,500 are available to support the participation of American composers in public activities related to performances of their original music.... Deadline: January 7, 2013

Center for Native American Youth Invites Teens to Submit Their Stories for Champions for Change Program -Native American youth between the ages of 14 and 24 are invited to submit their stories of leadership and service in tribal and urban Indian communities, schools, and programs.... Deadline: January 31, 2013

Tauck Family Foundation Calls for Proposals from Bridgeport Nonprofits Working to Develop Life Skills in School Children - The foundation will provide non-financial capacity building support to nonprofits working to help elementary school children from low-income families develop critical life skills.... Deadline: January 31, 2013

MacArthur Foundation Invites Affordable Housing Research Proposals - Funding of up to $1 million is available for research projects that expand the body of evidence with respect to the difference that living in decent, stable, and affordable housing makes in the lives of families, and communities.... Deadline: January 11, 2013 (Research abstracts)

ING Unsung Heroes Program Invites K-12 Educators to Apply for 2013 Class Project Awards - One hundred educators in the United States will be selected to receive awards of $2,000 or more to help fund innovative classroom projects.... Deadline: April 30, 2013

American Psychological Foundation Seeks Proposals for Pre-College Psychology Grant Program - Grants totaling up to $20,000 annually will be awarded for efforts aimed at improving the quality of education in psychological science and its application in secondary schools for high ability students.... Deadline: May 1, 2013

Paralyzed Veterans of America Education Foundation Invites Proposals for Innovative Educational Projects -Grants of up to $50,000 per year will be provided for educational projects that enhance the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease....Deadline: February 1, 2013

Nominations Invited for Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards - Up to ten teenagers in the United States who self-identify as Jewish will receive awards of $36,000 in honor of their exceptional leadership and community service....Deadline: January 6, 2013

Echoing Green Fellowship Program - Application deadline: Jan 7, 2013. Echoing Green awards two year fellowships to emerging social innovators to help them launch organizations and build capacity.

AmeriCorps State and National Grants - Application deadline: Feb 6, 2013. Funding for programs that are designed to strengthen communities and solve local problems.

Foundation for Rural Service College Scholarship Program - Application deadline: Mar 1, 2013. Offers scholarships to students from rural America for their first year of college, university, or vocational-technical school.

Do Something Seed Grant - Application deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Provides seed money to start community development programs or projects.

Suzette M. Agans
Rural Development | Community and Economic Development
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W. Stop 3254 | Washington, D.C. 20250
Phone: 202.401.1922
www.rurdev.usda.gov

"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"

This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Entrepreneurship Webinars focusing on Social Media

_______________________________________________
entrepreneursandtheircommunities-members mailing list
entrepreneursandtheircommunities-members@lists.extension.org
https://www.extension.org/people/lists/entrepreneursandtheircommunities-members

eXtension - Entrepreneurs and Their Communities

Winter Webinar Series

Second Thursday of every month

2:00 p.m. (ET); 1:00 p.m. (CT); 12:00 p.m. (MT); 11:00 am (PT)

Connect to webinar - https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/etc-cop

January 10 - Getting Action from Website Landing Pages

Ever wonder why some online businesses seem to have all the luck - well it may not be luck after all! Their content marketing payoff may be because their 'landing pages' encourage the customer to take 'action'. Your landing pages can mean the difference between profit and loss! Learn how to send your customers to the right page and create the appropriate call to action!

Presenter - Jay Jenkins, UNL Extension Educator

February 14 - Top 10 Trends and Cool Tools in Social Media

Julie Fox joins us again this year for a popular session on what's new in social media. This fast moving session goes beyond the latest statistics to demonstrate what's working and show you how to benefit from the latest social media trends and tools.

Presenter - Julie Fox, Ohio State Extension

March 14 - Pinterest for Your Business

Just when you thought you’d gotten a handle on social media by getting on Facebook and maybe giving Twitter a try, along comes Pinterest. Pinterest is now the number three most-popular social network in the U.S., behind only Facebook and Twitter, according to Experian’s Digital Marketer Trend and Benchmark Report. Thru this webinar an introduction to what Pinterest is and why you should use it for your business will be presented. Also discussed will be setting up a Pinterest account, how to interact, and how to create pin boards.

Presenters Tara Gross is a young entrepreneur and owner of Country Drawers in Cambridge, Nebraska and Connie Hancock is an Extension Educator from UNL Extension.

Check us out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/eXtensionentrepreneurs

To learn more about other eXtension educational programs - https://learn.extension.org

eXtension Entrepreneurship - http://www.extension.org/entrepreneurship

Mark your calendars! The eXtension Entrepreneurship webinar series continues with some very timely topics. All webinars will air monthly on the second Thursday at 2:00pm (ET); 1:00pm (CT); 12:00pm (MT); 11:00am (PT).

No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to participate. About 10 minutes prior to the start time simply go the Adobe Connect Pro meeting room at https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/etc-cop. You will be presented with a login screen that has an "Enter as Guest" option. Enter your full name then click "Enter Room" to join the conference. You will be able to hear the audio directly from your computer’s speakers.

Friday, December 14, 2012

USDA RD Loan Program Webinar (1/22/13)

Great opportunity to learn more about USDA-Rural Development loan programs for economic development. The webinar is FREE! Feel free to share this with your local leadership.

From: Soliz, Rosa [mailto:soliz@anr.msu.edu]
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2012 9:49 AM
Subject: Overiview of USDA RD Loan Program Webinar (1/22/13) Announcement

Please feel free to share with others who may be interested in participating in the upcoming webinar:

WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT

Overview of USDA Rural Development

Loan Program

Mark Brodziski and John Broussard

(USDA Rural Development)

January 22, 2013 (Tuesday)

2:00 PM – Eastern Time

http://connect.msu.edu/ncrcrd

About the webinar:

The webinar will be presented for participants to become more familiar with the Business Programs of USDA Rural Development

About the Speakers:

Mark Brodziski, US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Rural Business and Cooperative Programs

John H. Broussard, Director, Business and Industry Division, USDA Rural Development

Since December 2011, John H. Broussard has been appointed as the Director, Business and Industry (B&I) Division within Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) of USDA Rural Development in Washington, DC. As the B&I Division Director, Broussard directs nationwide rural development activities of the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program of USDA Rural Development administering a portfolio in excess of $8.5 Billion. Prior to becoming Division Director, he served as the Program Director for Rural Business-Cooperative Service for the State of Louisiana and has been with USDA since 1983.

Registration: There is no registration and no fee for attending this webinar.

The webinar will be recorded and archived at http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/chronological_archive.

To receive these announcements directly, or to correct errors in our distribution list, please email soliz@anr.msu.edu.

Rosa Soliz

Communications & Logistics Associate

North Central Regional Center for Rural Development

Agriculture Hall

446 W. Circle Drive, Room 66

East Lansing, MI 48824

517.355.3373

soliz@anr.msu.edu

NCRCRD Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=81941506229

Webinar archives: http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/chronological_archive

Office Hours: Monday/Thursday – 8 AM – 6 PM (ET) / Friday 8 AM – 12 Noon (ET)

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Publications, Tools, Learning, and Funding

From our friends and colleagues at USDA-RD. This week there's information about farmers' markets, rural broadband adoption and the value of health facilities to rural communities. Enjoy!

PUBLICATIONS

A Little Good News from Agurban, http://www.agracel.com/html/Agurban/20121211.html

As we wind down the year, we looked for a little good news to share with our Agurban readers. Sure, there's plenty of bad news out there too, but in the spirit of the season, we just want to focus on the good!

The latest U.S. unemployment rate of 7.7% is the lowest level since 2008; 146,000 jobs were added in November.
Job growth in the technology sector outpaced the rest of the economy three to one.
U.S. productivity grew at an annual rate of 2.9% from July to September 2012, the fastest pace in two years.
Apple is investing $100 million to build one of its Mac line of computers exclusively in the United States in 2013.
The U.S. is closer to being a major natural gas exporter.
Americans saw some of the lowest gasoline prices since January.
The U.S. still commands about 20% of global manufacturing.
Manufacturing employment has been growing steadily in the United States for nearly two years.
The US is the world's biggest economy.

Farmers' markets concentrated in metro counties

According to USDA's National Farmers' Market Directory, 7,828 farmers' markets were operating in the United States in August 2012. Of the 3,143 U.S. counties, 33 percent had no farmer's markets, 29 percent had 1 market, 21 percent had 2 or 3 markets, 12 percent had 4 to 10 markets, and 5 percent had more than 10 farmers' markets. The 143 counties with more than 10 farmers' markets account for almost 40 percent of the Nation's farmers' markets. All but 10 are metro-designated counties where higher population concentrations provide a larger customer base. Half of these 143 counties are located in 6 States—California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. In 2011, 129 U.S. counties had more than 10 farmers' markets. A chart appears in the December issue of ERS's Amber Waves magazine.

Broadband for Rural America: Economic Impacts and Economic Opportunities  Reports on broadband emphasizing that the great technology challenge for rural areas is to keep pace with Internet transmission speeds. http://tinyurl.com/acrvk54

Concentration of Poverty Is a Growing Rural Problem - Describes poverty concentrations in rural areas, comparing the year 2000 to a 2006-2010 year range. Lists the percentage of people of different demographics living in high-poverty counties. Organization: USDA Economic Research Service. Date: 12 / 2012 Journal: Amber Waves Volume: 10 Issue: 4

Planning for Sustainability - Collection of resources developed by the Georgia Health Policy Center to help consider long-term program sustainability plans that address community needs and engage partners and stakeholders in the process.

Economic Impact of a Critical Access Hospital on a Rural Community - Reports on a study to estimate the economic impact of a typical critical access hospital using data collected from 73 critical access hospitals, representing twenty-one states. Organization: National Center for Rural Health Works. Date: 09 / 2012

Race to the Bottom - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/opinion/race-to-the-bottom.html?_r=0

Competition among states and cities to lure businesses in hopes of creating jobs is not new, but it has become more fierce in recent years. An investigation by The Times found that state and local governments are giving out $80 billion a year in tax breaks and other subsidies in a foolhardy, shortsighted race to attract companies. That money could go a long way to improving education, transportation and other public services that would have a far better shot at promoting real economic growth. The tax revenues forgone in this giveaway frenzy should concern Congress deeply. After all, federal funds account for one-fifth of state and local budgets.

TOOLS

Community Network Analysis You can't engage diverse groups in your community if you don't know who they are, where they hang out, and whom they're connected to. Get started with the Orton Family Foundation's Community Network Analysis tool, which can help you map out the stakeholders in your community and figure out the best ways to reach them. http://tinyurl.com/awy8p7a

RAC Launches New Online Rural Obesity Prevention Toolkit
Dec 5, 2012 -- In an effort to help rural communities better address the current obesity epidemic, the Rural Assistance Center has launched a Rural Obesity Prevention toolkit. This toolkit contains resources to help communities develop obesity prevention programs, building on best practices of successful obesity prevention programs.

Digital Skills for Rural Communities – Toolkits - www.e4vt.org – Rural Communities just coming into broadband access are often behind the 8 ball—they haven't built the culture of Internet use to fully avail all the economic and community development opportunities that digital applications provide. We spent the last 2 years leading e-Vermont, an NTIA funded initiative to help rural residents and communities develop websites, put businesses on line, build WiFi downtowns, turn libraries into digital resource centers, set up one:one curriculum and facilities in schools, develop community based social networking (see attachments and the link below). The models developed will be of interest to towns throughout rural America. For more information contact e-Vermont Project Director Helen Labun Jordan (802.225.6091 or Helen@vtrural.org).

LEARNING

1. WEBINAR: Keeping Your Equine Business a Vibrant Part of Rural Communities - December 18, 2012 (Tuesday), 11:30 AM – Eastern Time

Registration: There is no registration and no fee for attending this webinar. http://connect.msu.edu/ncrcrd

There are over 1 million horses and 162,000 horse farms in the north central region, where over 70% of horse owners live in rural communities of 50,000 or less. Most equine related businesses, including breeding, training, boarding and riding schools, are located in rural America and support not only their immediate community, but larger spectator aspects of the industry such as racing and showing. Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, and Iowa State University developed an equine business education program targeted for the NCR, but applicable nationwide. Each state hosted a simultaneous Extension conference with a single presenter at each of 4 locations while the other three presentations were broadcast through an interactive webinar. Additionally social media such as the Equine Business Network facebook page and Equine Biz blog were developed. This webinar will present both the economic impact of the educational program to equine businesses, plus share recommendations for conducting similar on-line educational programming. For a "Sneak Peek" of the webinar go to: http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/webinars

Speakers:

Kathy Anderson, PhD, is the Extension Equine Specialist at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Kathy is the current national chair of eXtension/horses site and teaches a variety of undergraduate equine classes. Additionally she and conducts extension work in all phases of horse management and use. Kathy holds a PhD in Animal Science from Kansas State University, MS in Equine Reproduction from Texas A&M, and a BS in Animal Science and Ag Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Christine Skelly, PhD is an Equine Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Christine is the founder and director of curriculum for My Horse University (www.myhorseuniversity.com), an online horse management educational resource. She is also a member of eXtension/horses Community of Practice. Christine holds a Ph.D. and BS in Animal Science from Texas A&M University.

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. Adobe Connect Tips and Instructions. The webinar will be recorded and archived at http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/chronological_archive.

2. NONPROFIT LEARNING: Stuck Between a Financial Crisis Wrought by the Founder and a Hard Place

First Person Nonprofit • By Judith Long • July 23, 2012 • Email Print

A deputy director describes the crisis that befell her organization as the founding executive director left, how that organization almost closed down, and what she's learned from it for her new job as an executive director in another state and another field.

When I started with this Brooklyn organization as the deputy director, there was an understanding that the executive director, who had been there 20+ years, was going to retire in 3 to 5 years. She was the founder. The organization was trying to be thoughtful about the founder leaving, trying to be proactive.

We went through a major strategic planning process, worked on executive transition, and brought in a transition consultant. We did all the right things: we had the right committees and the ED announced her retirement fully a year ahead of time.

I didn't see any problems coming

They hired someone, but then after this candidate accepted the job, she pulled out at the last minute.

It was then the outgoing director began acting out.

We were just at the end of our budget year. The outgoing director met with the board finance committee and the executive committee and made the case that she wanted severance of 30 weeks of full pay (one week per year of service) with full benefits, and a consulting contract for about half time -- because no one had her expertise.

In addition, she urged the upgrade of two half-time positions to full time. The effect of all these changes was to add approximately $120,000 in uncovered expenses to the budget.

For the rest of the story - http://blueavocado.org/node/771

3. DISCUSSION on Conflict of Interest: Conflict of Interest . . . or Conflict of Loyalty?

Board Cafe - By Jan Masaoka - December 8, 2012 - Email

"Conflict of loyalty" is a useful concept and term that gives us another dimension to work with than simply conflict of interest:

In our legitimate desire to avoid conflicts of interest in nonprofits, we typically make two oddly opposite mistakes:

1. We narrow "conflict of interest" to a strict legal definition and focus only on matters that involve personal financial gain, and

2. At the same time we are too quick to label any kind of relationship at all as a conflict of interest.

But often, the "conflicts of interest" in nonprofits do not involve personal financial gain. Consider the board member whose commitment to rights for people with disabilities leads her to serve on the boards of two such organizations. At Board A she hears about a new grant opportunity that is opening up at a local foundation. Should she tell Board B about it, or is she obligated not to mention it?

Or what about the deputy director of a nonprofit theater who sits on the board of a battered women's shelter: two very different fields. He's just met someone he thinks would be a great board member for either organization. Should he suggest this person to both, or to which one?

In another example,

> Read more

FUNDING

The Institute for Rural America is offering Seize the Moment Grants. These small (maximum $250) awards are intended to assist nonprofit organizations needing to take quick action on issues that arise or to send staff to training programs. The application deadline is rolling. http://www.ruralusa.org/html/grants.html

The federal Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) has released a FY 2013 Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement (Rural Quality) Grant Program funding announcement. The program supports rural primary care providers in implementing quality improvement activities that help develop an evidence-based culture and the delivery of coordinated care. A technical assistance call will take place December 18. Applications due January 30. http://tinyurl.com/a8f8r3m

USDA is offering grants to support technical assistance or training to identify and evaluate solutions to water problems relating to source, storage, treatment and distribution, and to waste disposal problems relating to collection, treatment and disposal. Deadline to apply: 12/31/2012. http://tinyurl.com/b34ksrw

The National Endowment for the Humanities is offering grants for projects in the formats of interactive digital media such as websites, games, mobile applications, virtual environments, streaming video or podcasts; film and television projects intended for national distribution; and radio projects intended for regional or national distribution. Deadline to apply: 1/9/2013. Learn more http://www.neh.gov/grants/amm

The Corporation for National and Community Service is offering funding to nonprofits and local and state governments to establish AmeriCorps programs that will offer AmeriCorps volunteers the opportunity to become involved in a range of community improvement activities. Deadline: 1/23/2013. http://tinyurl.com/byneqp9

The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering grants to nonprofits to provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families, especially those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. Both initial and renewal grants are available. Deadline: 2/1/2013. http://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp

The National Endowment for the Arts is offering grants through its Big Read program for community-wide reading programs. Seventy-five grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations for community-wide reading programs that encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. Deadline to apply: 2/5/2013. Get an application and more details about the program http://tinyurl.com/y6wbjj

USDA is accepting applications from nonprofits for the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program: Agricultural Sciences Education. The funding aims to increase the number and diversity of students who will pursue and complete a postsecondary degree in the food and agricultural sciences. Deadline to apply: 2/8/2013. For application requirements, http://tinyurl.com/a49fxh6

Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Accepting Minigrant Applications -Public schools and libraries in the United States and its territories are invited to apply for mini-grants of up to $500 to support special activities outside the standard curriculum.... Deadline: March 15, 2013

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Accepting Proposals for America's Great Outdoors: Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists - A total of $1.4 million in matching grants of $40,000 to $100,000 will be awarded to support innovative conservation job-training programs for youth.... Deadline: January 21, 2013

AIDS United Invites Grant Applications for Southern REACH Program - Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded to support HIV/AIDS-focused policy/advocacy work by community-based organizations in Alabama, Arkansas, northern Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee....Deadline: January 7, 2013

Bush Foundation Accepting Applications for Community Leadership Fellowship Program - Two-year leadership development fellowships are available to elected and public officials in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the twenty-three Native nations that share the same geographic area....Deadline: January 14, 2013; March 18, 2013; and May 20, 2013 (Reference Letter)

------------------------------

Newsletters and email from where I gather this information include:

v Foundation Center RFP Service - To subscribe or unsubscribe, or to change your e-mail address, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/newsletters/

v To subscribe to the RAC Health Listserv - click here to go to the subscription form.

v Electronic newsletter of the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, Rural Entrepreneurship News. To subscribe, http://team.energizingentrepreneurs.org/news2/public_html/lists/?p=subscribe

v The Center for Rural Affairs' e-newsletter. http://www.cfra.org/news_media/newsletter

v Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City newsletter: http://www.kansascityfed.org/alert/'

v The npEnterprise Forum (www.npEnterprise.net ) - 5000+ subscribers discuss practical ways that organizations can advance their social missions through entrepreneurial, earned-income strategies. http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/npEnterprise/

v National Cooperative Business Association eNews - http://www.ncba.coop/pubs_enews.cfm

v Blue Avocado Nonprofit Magazine - They have a newsletter on boards and nonprofit management, down-to-earth and useful. http://www.blueavocado.org/

v Rural LISC e-newsletter - http://www.lisc.org/rural

v National Association for Development Organizations (NADO) – www.nado.org

v ERS - A notification service is provided by USDA's Economic Research Service for Charts of Note and other research to keep you informed of the latest and most relevant research on the topics that interest you. You can subscribe at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Updates/

"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Asset Building in Rural Communities (12/13/12)

FREE webinar discussing the priorities, barriers and opportunities for building local assets for greater personal financial stability and local economic benefit.

Tomorrow @ noon, Central.

For a “Sneak Peek” go to: Asset Building Sneak Peek

WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT

Asset Building in Rural Communities: Exploring Barriers and Identifying Opportunities

Cynthia Needles Fletcher and Jeanne Warning

(Iowa State University)

Patricia Olson and Rosemary Heins

(University of Minnesota)

December 13, 2012 ( Thursday)

1:00 PM – Eastern Time

http://connect.msu.edu/ncrcrd

About the webinar:

Expanding opportunities for families to build assets can lead to greater financial stability and can benefit local economics. Twelve focus group interviews; six with resident families and six with community leaders were conducted in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota rural communities. Findings will focus on identified priorities, barriers and opportunities to enhance asset building.

About the Speakers:

Cynthia Needles Fletcher is Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Family & Consumer Sciences, Iowa State University. Her research interests include family and consumer economics/ policy and poverty and rural communities, poverty and social welfare policy issues.

Jeanne Warning is Assistant Director to Families Extension at Iowa State University. Her areas of expertise include leadership development, public issues education and teambuilding.

Rosemary Heins is Extension Professor at University of Minnesota.

Patricia Olson is Program Director of Extension at University of Minnesota.

For a “Sneak Peek” of the webinar go to: http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/webinars

Registration: There is no registration and no fee for attending this webinar.

If you’ve never used Adobe Connect on the computer you will be using, please use the “Test your connection” link below and do a test connection to the actual meeting space well in advance of the scheduled meeting time. http://connect.msu.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

To facilitate Q&A’s, participants submit questions/comments via the Chat Function in Adobe Connect.

The webinar will be recorded and archived at http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/chronological_archive.

To receive these announcements directly, or to correct errors in our distribution list, please email soliz@anr.msu.edu.

Rosa Soliz

Communications & Logistics Associate

North Central Regional Center for Rural Development

Agriculture Hall

446 W. Circle Drive, Room 66

East Lansing, MI 48824

517.355.3373

soliz@anr.msu.edu

NCRCRD Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=81941506229

Webinar archives: http://ncrcrd.msu.edu/ncrcrd/chronological_archive

Office Hours: Monday/Thursday – 8 AM – 6 PM (ET) / Friday 8 AM – 12 Noon (ET)

Thursday, December 6, 2012

FW: Publications, Learning and Funding

Resources from USDA-RD… Of particular interest might be the Fed’s newsletter article on the food vs. fuel debate, or the Daily Yonder article highlighting that unemployment rates are lower than the US average for 2/3 of rural counties. Also, there’s materials on wind and solar energy. Enjoy!

From: Agans, Suzette - RD, Washington, DC [mailto:Suzette.Agans@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 2:08 PM
Subject: Publications, Learning and Funding

PUBLICATIONS

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newsletter - The 2012 drought has reignited the food versus fuel debate. After an examination of ethanol mandates as well as market-based demand for ethanol, the latest issue of the Main Street Economist concludes that it is markets, not mandates, that ultimately determine the scale of ethanol production and its use of scarce corn.

Please visit the website at: http://www.kansascityfed.org/publications/research/mse/index.cfm?ealert=mse1212

New Resource Directory Launches at cfed.org - We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new Resource Directory. As the newest feature of CFED’s Knowledge Center, the Resource Directory compiles publications, online toolkits, webinar recordings, comment letters, policy briefs and more into one easy-to-use location. Most importantly, the Resource Directory isn’t just for CFED’s publications; if your organization has resources it would like to share, you can submit them for possible publication to the Resource Directory today! CFED stands for Corporation for Enterprise Development which focuses on “empowering low- and moderate-income households to build and preserve assets by advancing policies and programs that help them achieve the American Dream, including buying a home, pursuing higher education, starting a business and saving for the future.”

Rural Unemployment: Daily Yonder | READ STORY - This report, compiled by Daily Yonder, shows that two-thirds of rural and exurban counties in the United States record unemployment rates lower than or equal to the national average, a four-year low in rural joblessness.

The Ford Foundation’s Wealth Creation in Rural Communities initiative has published a report documenting the fourth year of the initiative that captures lessons learned so far. You can download this report as well as other documents relating to the Wealth Creation in Rural Communities initiative here.

“Fear of Affordable Housing: Perception Vs. Reality” is an article in Shelterforce, published by The National Housing Institute. When a housing development containing affordable units is proposed, neighbors, other town residents and public officials often oppose it, claiming that a series of negative outcomes will result. But, the article asks, once affordable units are built, does anyone even realize they are there? Read the article here.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta recently published an article in its journal titled “Wanted: Jobs 2.0 in the Rural Southeast”. The authors state that rural communities have long lagged behind their city cousins in jobs and income, and some small towns still rely on attracting a single industry or factory, yet with manufacturing jobs disappearing, many face an uncertain future. Read the article here.

ARC Announces New Study on Best Practices for Economic and Community Development - http://www.arc.gov/assets/research_reports/StrategiesforEconomicImprovementinAppalachiasDistressedRuralCounties21.pdf

On November 27, researchers from the University of Tennessee held a webinar to review the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)-sponsored research study Strategies for Economic Improvement in Appalachia's Distressed Rural Counties. Based on the experiences of ten representative counties, the study examines the challenges to economic and community development efforts in rural Appalachian communities and highlights ways in which local governments, agencies, and community organizations are responding to various development issues. An online recording of the webinar will be available soon at www.arc.gov. For additional information contact Dr. Tim Ezzel, tezzell@utk.edu.

Solar Companies Seek Ways to Build an Oasis of Electricity

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/business/energy-environment/solar-power-as-solution-for-storm-darkened-homes.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&em

Renewable sources of energy are increasingly prevalent in providing power to single homes or neighborhoods. But what happens when the power is knocked out in a storm? This article from the New York Times discusses that, and more in explaining the role of renewable energy after storms. The article also brings up various ways that electrical power systems can be decentralized, with the psychological importance of having electrical power after a natural disaster bring brought up.

LEARNING

“Wind Energy: Rural People Hold the Power” is an article from the Center for Rural Affairs that shows how two rural communities made wind power work for them. Read the article here.

WEBINAR: Fundraising Resources for IDA Programs, Friday, December 14, 3:30-4:30 pm EDT / 12:30-1:30 pm PDT

Does it seem easier for your program’s IDA participants to meet their savings goals than it is to find the required non-federal contributions to match your AFI awards? We have help! We’ve added three “Tools for Success” fundraising resources to help you identify, cultivate and secure sustainable financial resources for your IDA program. During this half-hour webinar, you will learn:

How to use the three new “Tools for Success” fundraising resources for IDA practitioners.
What the diversity of fundraising options are and how to capitalize on them.
What a “stellar” fundraiser looks like and the keys to their success.

Presenter:

Devin J. Thompson, Deputy Director of Development, CFED

As the Deputy Director of Development, Devin oversees key functions and creates systems to ensure the smooth operation of the resource development office. As the manager of CFED’s grant-writing staff, he ensures that the organization is responsive to the needs and interests of funders and maintains strong and productive relationships between those funders and CFED’s program departments.

Click here to register now! The webinar is free to all interested participants. In advance of the webinar, please send any questions you would like our panelist to address during the session to Jimmy Crowell at jimmy.crowell@idaresources.org.

WEBINAR: NADO Webinar Addressing the Fiscal Cliff, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. (EST) Register here

Do you and your local elected officials know what the fiscal cliff is and how it could impact regional development organizations and local government? If not, join NADO for a free webinar.

The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center, will host a free webinar on the topic of the fiscal cliff and the potential impact on regional development organizations and local governments. Shai Akabas, senior policy analyst from the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, DC-based think tank that promotes bipartisanship and works to address key challenges facing the nation, will provide an in-depth look at the fiscal cliff and the impact that it could have on the economy as a whole, and federal government spending and programs. Questions that will be addressed during the webinar include:

What is the fiscal cliff?
How did we get here?
When will it occur?
How will the fiscal cliff impact regional development organizations and local governments?
How would the fiscal cliff affect programs like EDA and HUD-CDBG?
What are the politics surrounding the fiscal cliff and the likelihood of it being replaced or avoided?

Spaces for the webinar are limited. RSVP today by clicking here. It will be posted to www.nado.org shortly after it occurs for those unable to attend.

WEBINAR: December 13, 2012 from 1-2:30 pm ET for Healthy Food in Health Care - How Hospitals as Anchor Institutions can help Advance Regional Food Systems, a webinar featuring Jamie Harvie, Institute for a Sustainable Future; Michelle Gottlieb, Healthy Food in Health Care; Marydale DeBor, Fresh Advantage, LLC; Leslie Schaller, ACEnet; Bob Fedyski, Rural Action. To register, click here.

WEBINAR on Wednesday, December 19th at 12:00 noon Central (1:00 Eastern): SoapBox Soaps co-founder and CEO David Simnick will share how his company went from producing soap in basement bathtubs to stocking its products at Whole Foods and other retailers. Attendees will learn strategies for initiating, securing, and growing retailer relationships, as well as how to leverage their social missions for maximum consumer impact. The live session will take place on Registration is free for SEA members and just $10 for non-members. Click here for details and registration. All registrants will receive a full video recording and printable slides, so you can sign up today and watch whenever it's convenient. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email us at webinars@se-alliance.org.

FUNDING

Central Appalachia Network’s small grants program is designed to increase the capacity of our partner organizations across Central Appalachia to strengthen and connect food-based value chains in their sub-regions, as well as to connect these partners across the region for mutual learning and support. Over the past three years, we've supported 15 non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and groups of entrepreneurs with 19 one-year grants of $5,000 to $15,000. Among other projects, these grants have:

Funded the purchase of processing, aggregation, and distribution equipment for meat, grain, and produce value chains
Supported trainings and workshops for vegetable producers
Allowed CAN partners to serve as anchors for sub-regional local food networks

Learn more about last year's grantees here.

We are now accepting applications for the 2013 Small Grants Program. We expect to award 7-10 grants ranging from $5000 to $15,000 each. Due to the generous support of the One Foundation, West Virginia applicants only may request up to $20,000 each. Organizations located in the Appalachian counties of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and throughout West Virginia are welcome to apply. Organizations without non-profit 501(c)3 status will need to apply in conjunction with a fiscal sponsor.

In order to apply, please download the complete request for proposals here: CAN Small Grants RFP

All applications should be submitted by email to can@cannetwork.org no later than 5:00 pm Eastern on Friday, December 21st, 2012.

Native Agriculture & Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI) - Deadline: December 21, 2012. Funder: First Nations Development Institute

Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Grants-Deadline: January 18, 2013. Funder: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries and Museums - Deadline: February 1, 2013. Funder: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

THE HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION is accepting applications for its Community Impact Grants Program. Grants of up to $5,000 in the form of Home Depot gift cards are available for projects by community volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities, with an emphasis on housing and services for veterans. Deadline to apply: 12/12/2012. Learn more about this program and get an application here.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE is offering grants to support technical assistance or training to identify and evaluate solutions to water problems relating to source, storage, treatment and distribution, and to waste disposal problems relating to collection, treatment and disposal. Deadline to apply: 12/31/2012. Click here to learn more about these grants.

THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES is offering grants for projects in the formats of interactive digital media such as websites, games, mobile applications, virtual environments, streaming video or podcasts; film and television projects intended for national distribution; and radio projects intended for regional or national distribution. Deadline to apply: 1/9/2013. Learn more about this opportunity by clicking here.

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN (AAUW) EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION is offering community education grants to nonprofit organizations for projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. Special consideration is given to projects focused on K-12 and community college girls' and women's achievements in science, technology, engineering or math. Deadline to apply: 1/15/2013. Visit the AAUW website here to submit an online application.

THE NATIVE ARTS AND CULTURES FOUNDATION is offering funding through The Bridge Initiative: Arts + Health grant program that supports tribal entities, nonprofit organizations and Native programs in California that propose projects impacting health and vitality in communities throughout the state, with a focus on youth. Letters of inquiry will be accepted through 1/18/2013. Visit the Foundation’s website here for more information.

THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS will award grants to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives who can provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families living in or transitioning to permanent housing. Deadline to apply: 2/1/2013. For more information on these grants, click here.

THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS is offering grants through its Big Read program for community-wide reading programs. Seventy-five grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations for community-wide reading programs that encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. Deadline to apply: 2/5/2013. Get an application and more details about the program here.

Youth Service America and Sodexo Foundation Offer Grants for Youth-Led Hunger Service Projects - Grants of $500 will support service projects let by youth (5 to 25 years of age) that bring together community members to address childhood hunger.... Deadline: January 31, 2013

TD Bank and Arbor Day Foundation Announce Program to Support Urban Forestry Initiatives in Underserved Communities - Ten grants of $20,000 will support tree planting in current Tree City USA-designated communities within TD Bank's United States footprint....Deadline: January 31, 2013

New National Competition Launches to Reduce Affordable Housing Costs Through Innovation - Up to $250,000 in program-related investments and an additional $50,000 in grant funds will be awarded to the top entrants in a national affordable housing design competition.... Deadline: January 15, 2013

National Forest Foundation Accepting Applications for 2013 Matching Awards Program - Matching grants will be awarded for direct on-the-ground and citizen-based monitoring projects designed to benefit America's national forests and grasslands....Deadline: January 9, 2013, and July 17, 2013

"Committed to the future of rural communities"
"Estamos dedicados al futuro de las comunidades rurales"

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Higher Education Act), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, genetic information, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or status as a veteran, in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This provision includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. The Director of Equal Opportunity, 408 Whitehurst, OSU, Stillwater, OK 74078-1035; Phone 405-744-5371; email: eeo@okstate.edu has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity. Any person (student, faculty, or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss his or her concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with OSU’s Title IX Coordinator 405-744-9154.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This publication is issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Vice President, Dean, and Director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.