Federal, State, and Nonprofit Opportunities:
Crop Protection and Pest Management Program
The purpose of the Crop Protection and Pest Management program is to address high priority issues related to pests and their management using IPM approaches at the state, regional and national levels. The CPPM program supports projects that will ensure food security and respond effectively to other major societal pest management challenges with comprehensive IPM approaches that are economically viable, ecologically prudent, and safe for human health. More information...
Application Deadline: May 9, 2017
Veterinary Services Grant Program
The purpose of the Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) is to develop, implement and sustain veterinary services and relieve veterinarian shortage situations in the United States and U.S. Insular Areas. More information...
Application Deadline: May 19, 2017
Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program
This program helps improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping non-profit corporations or higher education institutions in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through cooperative development. More information...
Application Deadline: May 26, 2017
Food Safety Outreach Program
The Food Safety Outreach Program will focus on delivery of customized training to members of the target audiences. New projects will focus on, but are not limited to, addressing knowledge and resource gaps for the target audience in the areas of pre- and post-harvest water testing and sampling, soil amendments, developing supply chain programs, and/or developing food safety plans. The program will continue to fund projects that develop bilingual and culturally appropriate training resources. More information...
Application Deadline: June 6, 2017
Economic Development Assistance Programs
The Economic Development Administration's (EDA's) mission is to lead the Federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for economic growth and success in the worldwide economy. More information...
Application Deadline: Rolling
Rural & Tribal Passenger Transportation Technical Assistance
The rural program provides technical assistance for small communities of less than 50,000 people. The focus of the program is economic development: helping small and emerging businesses and stimulating economic development through new and improved public transportation.
The tribal program is designed to help Native American tribes enhance economic growth and development by improving transportation services. Technical assistance is limited to planning and may support transit service improvements and expansion, system start-up, facility development, development of marketing plans and materials, transportation coordination, training and other public transit problem solving activities.
For more information and to register, click here.
Location: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Rolling
Source: Community Transportation Association of America
Homegrown By Heroes
The Homegrown By Heroes label is a key differentiation for farmer veteran products in competitive markets. The HBH label gives farmer veterans the point-of-sale visibility they need to be successful in the marketplace. The HBH label also affords consumers a tangible way to support veterans while providing an avenue to share the veteran's story. More information...
Dates: Annually renewable
Location: Nationwide
Choctaw Nation Opportunities
Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing License
The Choctaw Nation is excited to announce that hunting and fishing license will now be available for all Choctaw citizens residing within Oklahoma regardless of age or if they are a current Oklahoma lifetime license holder.
For more information or to access the online application you can click here.
Helpful tools and internship opportunities
Hoeven Delivers Congressional Response to 2017 State of Indian Nations Address
February 13, 2017 -- U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, delivered the Congressional Response to the 2017 State of Indian Nations address given by the National Congress of American Indians President Brian Cladoosby. In his remarks, Chairman Hoeven highlighted his legislative priorities for the committee, including jobs and economic development, health care, energy, housing, public safety, and veterans. He also emphasized the need to continue working in a bipartisan manner to advance safety, security and opportunity in Indian Country. Read more...
The Oklahoma Brownfields Program and TAB, the Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program, with Kansas State University are presenting a Free workshop “Brownfields & Sustainable Community Building” at OSU’s Botanical Gardens in Stillwater, OK on May 23rd, and at OU’s National Weather Center in Norman, OK on May 25th. This will be an opportunity for communities to hear local leaders discuss sustainable redevelopment, and where to focus redevelopment projects to turn abandoned idle properties, including brownfields, into vibrant spaces such as housing, parks, trails and job-creating businesses.
Attendance is free but registration is required as lunch will be provided. We are very excited about this event and looking forward to seeing everyone!
For questions, please contact:
Alisha Grayson (ODEQ), alisha.grayson@deq.ok.gov, 405-702-5113
Oral Saulters (KSU TAB) osaulter@ksu.edu, 785-280-0931
Stillwater Workshop http://www.ksutab.org/education/workshops/details?id=245
Norman Workshop http://www.ksutab.org/education/workshops/details?id=246
Training opportunities
Fundraising Summits
The Fundraising Summit provides nonprofit professionals an opportunity to gain extensive knowledge about fundraising in a short, 6-hour setting. Fundraising experts present in quick succession their knowledge about best practices on the many topics every nonprofit professional needs to know. Participants will learn insider-tips for applying for grants, tried-and-true tactics for making bold asks, and flawless management for annual fundraising plans.
Ponca City - May 11, 2017
Funders Forums
We all want to know the secrets to receiving funding from foundations and corporations. The Center's Funders Forum can help! This will consist of a morning session, networking lunch, and after-lunch session where the dynamic panel of corporate and foundation employees will offer you tips and share their expertise.
Oklahoma City - May 16, 2017
Tulsa - May 30, 2017
Preparing for a Financial Audit
Having an annual financial audit is a best practice as defined by the Standards for Excellence Institute, and requires significant work from the entire organization. This three-hour workshop will help participants understand the administrative responsibilities of a financial audit, from the perspective of an audit team.
Tulsa - May 18, 2017
Oklahoma City - June 8, 2017
2017 Brownfields and Sustainable Community Building Workshop
This workshop will focus on the resources available to assist with planning your redevelopment, and where to focus resources to ensure success when applying for grants. Registration check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop will run from about 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch will be served.
Stillwater - May 23, 2017
Other Opportunities
Congressional Art Competition for Oklahoma High School Students
Students submit artwork to their elected representative's office, and panelists select winners from each district. Winning works are exhibited at the U.S. Capitol, and winners have the opportunity to be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. More information...
The instructions for your entries are available through your representative's link below.
1st District - Congressman Jim Bridenstine
2nd District - Congressman Markwayne Mullin
3rd District - Congressman Frank Lucas
4th District - Congressman Tom Cole
5th District - Congressman Steve Russell
Oklahoma State University Medical Summer Camp "Operation Orange"
Spend a day in the life of a medical student at Operation Orange, a summer camp for high school students interested in a career in medicine.
Dates and locations vary through the month of June.
Click here to access the flyer.
Fifth and Eighth-Grade Teachers Encouraged to Apply for Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute Fellowships
While at Colonial Williamsburg -- the world's largest living history museum -- Oklahoma teachers meet character interpreters of 18th-century people and are immersed in early American history through hands-on activities and reenactments of historic events. More information...
Application Deadline for 5th Grade Teachers: June 8-14, 2017
Application Deadline for 8th Grade Teachers: June 15-21, 2017
American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Scholarship
Established to provide American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students with financial assistance to earn a degree or certificate in the hospitality, tourism, recreation, culinary arts or related fields. AIANTA will award three (3) individuals who have met all scholarship application criteria. AIANTA would like to encourage Indigenous students to build their careers in the tourism industry while sustaining and strengthening their cultural legacy. Access the application here!
Application Deadline for Fall 2017 Semester: July 28, 2017
Application Deadline for Spring 2018 Semester: December 1, 2017
Webinars
Idea Friendly Towns – a webinar from SaveYour.Town (Becky McCray and Deb Brown)
Research has shown that being open to new ideas is tied to our economic future. How can we open up our towns to new ideas?
We'll share the Idea Friendly method: Gather Your Crowd, Build Connections and Take Small Steps.
We'll share real-world examples of ways people have successfully applied the Idea Friendly concepts to shape a better future for their town.
The old way of deciding the future was done by organizations and government, our new way is done by everyone. The old way had someone in control, our new way is to get as many people as possible trying new things. It sounds informal doesn't it? Because it is. The days of a group of men sitting in a backroom deciding what happens in your town are over. Join us to learn how to use the Idea Friendly Platform to create the kind of town you want to live, work and play in!
When: May 17, 2017 @ 12 pm Central (it will be recorded)
Where: Sign up at http://saveyour.town/ideafriendlywebinar/?mc_cid=48dd5cbe00&mc_eid=83e416986e
Cost: $20 for this webinar only, $25 for 2 week access to all of the webinars on SaveYour.Town
(Once you’re registered, you can schedule more than one viewing during the two week window so you reach as many people as possible.
We allow you to watch the live event, invite friends and hold replays in your town, as long as you’re personally present each time. If others want to watch without you, we ask that they also register. )
Understanding the Fundraising Cycle
This one-hour webinar will explore the circular, ongoing nature of fundraising. Elements of the fundraising cycle explore in this webinar include: donor identification, qualification, planning, cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, closure, acknowledgement, and stewardship.
Click here for more information and registration.
When: May 31, 2017 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Bringing Life Downtown After Hours: Arts, Shopping, Culture After 5
Being open evening hours is not just a matter of extending store hours. It is more like opening a whole different store with different customers. Becky McCray and Deb Brown be sharing ideas and examples from real small towns. Deb will share from her experience as a Chamber of Commerce director, and Becky will share from her perspective as a business owner in a small town. More information...
When: Webinar continually available.
USDA and Food Nutrition Service April 27th Meeting Summary
1. Grace Gershuny, Author, Organic Revolutionary: A Memoir of the Movement for Real Food, Planetary Healing & Human Liberation), shared information about her experiences helping to write the first-ever USDA National Organic program regulations from the mid-1990s to publication of the final rule in 2000. The organic movement was rooted in historical grassroots efforts that brought together disparate organic-oriented organizations (e.g.: environmentalists, food relief, the farm industry, and consumers) to overcome barriers to ultimately codify organic standards. Some of the challenges to finalizing the rules included: disagreements about the use of synthetics, reconciling negative public comments, and facilitating agreement between stakeholders. Contact Grace here.
2. Victor Strausbaugh, Allofeed, shared information about an app that he built that connects farmer vendors and CSA subscribers or those who can’t physically participate at farmers markets via a home delivery system via on-demand driver couriers. Using an easy-to-use interface, customers can place orders with vendors who use the app. Currently, the app supports more than 60 vendors around the Columbus, OH, area. Additionally, the app features a recipe database for vendor products. Contact Victor here.
3. Cheryl Graffagnino, Healthy Food Access Program Manager, City of Columbus and Matt Brown, Planning Administrator, Franklin County Economic Development & Planning Department shared information about the creation of the City of Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Action Plan. The plan helped to implement the city’s and county’s goal to improve all residents’ access to nutritious and affordable food, prevent food waste, enhance coordination among existing food resources, and address barriers to access, including poverty, underemployment, and unemployment. Launched in November, 2013, the planners included Columbus Councilmember Priscilla Tyson, County Commissioner John O’Grady, 24 community members, and the nonprofit Local Matters. During the first phase, the team gathered information by reviewing more than 24 food planning documents and published data and convening 18 community meetings in seven Columbus neighborhoods. Altogether, 900 stakeholders participated. Second, the team identified 800 potential actions, which were revised and consolidated into 27 actions in the final Local Food Action Plan. Last, the team wrote the plan, including for each action: the current status, partners involved, desired outcomes, starting steps, measures, and related resources. To collect feedback, the Columbus Health Department led 11 public feedback sessions. Throughout the process, the team heard from the community that health equity, cultural competency, and continued development of the emergency food system were important issues. The plan also established a city-county joint local food team to oversee and ensure coordination between efforts. Contact Cheryl here.
4. Adam Montri, Co-owner and Managing Member, Ten Hens Farm, shared information about the Southeast Michigan Seasonal High Tunnel Education Initiative. As background, high tunnels (also called hoop houses) are unheated greenhouse structures that trap solar heat to allow farmers to grow crops outside of the growing season. The initiative is led by four partner organizations: USDA NRCS (which funds the project via the EQIP program), the SE Michigan Sustainable Resource Alliance (the grant recipients), and Keep Growing Detroit, and Ten Hens Farm, which coordinate project implementation and outreach to farmers. The initiative started as a partner project in Cleveland between Congresswoman Marcia Fudge’s office, Ten Hens Farm (which provided technical assistance), NRCS, and Fair Food Network (which had received an USDA EQIP grant). Since then, the initiative has expanded to Detroit/Wayne County, seven counties in Southeast Michigan, and Flint/Genesee County. As part of the initiative, the team provides educational workshops, hands-on builds, one-on-one technical assistance, and multi-farm tours. The workshops cover various topics, including: high tunnel basics, irrigation and fertility, pest management, winter crops, and marketing. Contact Adam here.
5. Nick Nichols, Author, shared information about his book, “I’m Hungry, I’m Hungry, I’m Hungry, Too”. Nick was made aware of the importance of hunger when a close relative qualified for free lunch. Researching the subject, Nick realized that 49% of the children in his La Crosse area qualify for free lunch, that 14,000 people in La Crosse County were food insecure in 2015, and that there are nine food pantries in La Crosse district schools. The book addresses various topics related to food insecurity, including lack of food access, cooking skills, obesity, and bullying. Nick partnered with the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse to publish over 3,300 copies of the book. Additionally, Nick partnered with the Rotary club to read and discuss the book at local schools. As an outcome of the event, over 2,800 books were distributed to eleven schools, public library, and local women’s shelter. Additionally, schools will continue to hold the event in 2018 and one school organized a food backpack event for students. A statewide school nutrition group will distribute the book at their conference in July, 2017. Contact Nick here.
6. Sharing by member organizations of recent news/developments (All).
Vicky Reeves, Grant Program Manager, Organic Valley, shared information about the Farmers Advocating For Organic (FAFO) Grant Program, which is now accepting applications. The program funds projects in the areas of research, education, and advocacy to protect and promote the organic industry and the livelihood of organic farmers. For more information, please view the overview packet.
USDA and Food Nutrition Service May 25th Meeting Agenda
1. Alison Alkon, Associate Professor of Sociology and Food Studies, University of The Pacific, will share information about research related to farmers markets, CSAs, and food systems that serve and are owned by their communities. Alison will also share information about the necessity of economic policies—and not simply a dependence on market mechanisms—that determine a community’s food sovereignty.
2. Nick Groch, Clinical Nutrition Manager, Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center (Chicago), will share information about the hospital’s nutrition and agriculture initiatives, which include a twice monthly farmers market, to improve access to healthy produce for the organization’s low-income community patients.
3. Brenda Scott Henry, Director of Green Urbanism, and Mary Mulligan, Brownfields/Urban Conservation Specialist, City of Gary (IN), will share information about their work to support community efforts related to urban agriculture. Some of these efforts include the Stewart House Urban Farms & Gardens, farm and food projects in the Emerson neighborhood and area churches, and the Vacant to Vibrant initiative, which aims to install rain gardens as a way to manage storm water in vacant, abandoned lots. Much of Gary is classified by USDA as a food desert.
4. Shermain Hardesty, Cooperative Extension Specialist and Lecturer, University of California Davis Agricultural and Resource Economics, will share information about her team’s recent study on the local economic benefits of direct marketing (e.g.: farmers markets, roadside farm stands, community-supported agriculture programs). Sacramento-area farmers and ranchers who engage in direct marketing generated twice as much regional economic impact per dollar of output, compared to area food producers who did not market directly.
5. Rachel Armstrong, Founder & Executive Director, Farm Commons (MN), will share information about her organization’s work to empower direct-to-consumer farmers with the proactive legal attention they need to build resilient farm businesses. Recently, Farm Commons received a USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant. As part of the grant project, the organization will host “Direct-to-Consumer Farm Law” workshops, distribute legal Quick Guides, and help educate over 7,000 farmers about how the law affects agritourism, CSA operations, farmers market sales, food safety, and other direct-to-consumer topics.
Grants, Resources, Opportunities, and More...
(click on the links below to see more)
Resources, Tools, & Technical Assistance
Thanks,
Dave
Associate Professor and Community Development Specialist
Department of Agricultural Economics
Oklahoma State University
323 Agricultural Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078-6025
405-744-6170
405-744-8210 – fax
Find grants and professional development resources on my blog
http://okextdevres.blogspot.com/
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