From our colleagues at USDA-Rural Development. In addition, you may want to let your employers know about this opportunity from OCAST:
The FY17 Intern Partnerships funding announcement is now available on OKGrants.
Application Deadline: October 5, 2016, 5 p.m. CT
Target Contract Start Date: January 1, 2017
All applications must be submitted online through OKGrants. Investigators who have not yet registered to use the system must contact their research administrator for access; OCAST will not approve investigator accounts. More information about OKGrants, including user manuals, can be found on the OCAST website.
All applications must be completed and be in Application Submitted status by 5:00 p.m. on October 5. No applications, supplemental materials or changes will be allowed after the deadline. No changes will be allowed to any application once it has been submitted.
And a couple of additional webinars:
Title: Intermediary Perceptions of Rural Firm Tech Adoption
Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Time: 2:00 P.M. Eastern Time
Webinar Access: https://ncrcrd.adobeconnect.com/newtech/
Description: We will share results from interviews of different Michigan organizations that provide support to rural firms. Our research goals, identify: (1) barriers that restrict rural firms' success in regards to technology adoption; and (2) strategies that can be used to avoid or overcome these barriers. To help achieve these goals, we will also ask for your input—the webinar participants—during the presentation. Our preliminary results presented here are based on interviews of intermediary organizations that work closely with rural firms, including MSU Extension, local Chambers of Commerce, economic development corporations, small business development corporations, USDA RD, and incubators. Our premise is framed around technology adoption—it is a key component of a firm's competitiveness and long-term success, and affects the economic health of the community in which it resides. Thus, it is critical to identify the obstacles and opportunities that firms encounter in relation to technology adoption. We hope you can join us!
About Our Presenter: Rachel Poole is a graduating senior and honors student at the James Madison College at Michigan State University, and Budget and Policy Assistant at the State of Michigan Budget Office. Rachel is part of the research team for the USDA funded project "Launching Innovations from the University Starting Gate" where she helped kick-start the project by leading an initial investigation into the barriers rural firms face regarding technology adoption. She is also the lead author on the first of several papers related to the project, results of which are being presented in this webinar.
To access the free webinar (registration is not necessary): On Wednesday, September 21, go to: https://ncrcrd.adobeconnect.com/newtech/ and select "Enter as a Guest" and type your name or organization in the box below. You will then be directed to the NCRCRD Innovations in Agriculture Adobe Connect page. Currently, a flyer for the upcoming webinar is posted on the page.
This webinar is part of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) continuing series "Innovations in Agriculture and Rural Development."
Previous webinars are available at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCspn-n-OKLLftQ58S2JFkQg
From: RA.RD.DCWA2.RDCED [mailto:RDCED@wdc.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2016 11:31 AM
Subject: CED Matters – Funding, Publications, Events and Learning
Community Economic Development (CED) Matters – Funding, Publications, Events and Learning (9/9)
1. DHS Announces $40M to Support Cybersecurity Focused COEs, Free Cybersecurity Training for Vets
In August, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced over $40 million in available federal funding for a new DHS Center of Excellence (COE) for Homeland Security Quantitative Analysis via two federal funding opportunities (FFO). The proposed COEs will conduct end user-focused research to enhance the application of analytic tools that support real-time decision making and address homeland security-related threats and hazards. DHS also announced that it will provide free cybersecurity training and certification prep courses to military veterans through a new partnership with Hire our Heroes– a nonprofit focused on providing workforce services to transitioning military members. Read more...
2. Culture of Health Prize (RWJF)
Purpose: Recognizes standout communities that are addressing broad health needs in education, employment, family/social support, and community safety. Eligibility: Cities and towns/incorporated places and federally recognized tribes. Funding: $25,000. Deadline: November 3, 2017.
3. USDA Announces Initiative to Provide Transitional Housing for Rural Americans in Recovery from Substance Use Disorders
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an initiative that will use USDA's rural development resources to help fill the need for transitional housing for people recovering from opioid and other substance use disorders. In January, President Obama tasked Vilsack, who is chair of the White House Rural Council, with leading a federal interagency effort focused on rural opioid use. The initiative is the result of a conversation Secretary Vilsack had in May in New Hampshire at the Hillsborough County Superior Court, where individuals involved with the state's drug court program told him that a lack of access to affordable housing made it challenging for participants to successfully complete their recovery from addiction.
4. USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and new assistance for organic farmers
Purpose: USDA's Farm Service Agency provides financial and technical assistance to address agriculture conservation practices related to: drinking water protection, reducing soil erosion, preserving wildlife habitats, preserving/restoring forests/wetlands, and aiding farmers whose farms are damaged by natural disasters. USDA intends to help fund and assist organic farmers to establish 20,000 acres of new conservation buffers and other practices on and near their farms. Date: CRP continuous is ongoing. Location: Nationwide.
5. Transporting Health Food Grants (Conservation Fund)
Purpose: Funds organizations projects that support processing and distribution of fresh produce and perishable food in 22 states. Eligibility: government agencies or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations involved in local foods distribution. Funding: $2,000 to $10,000 grants. Deadline: September 15, 2016.
6. Homegrown By Heroes
Purpose: Promotes farmer veterans point-of-sale visibility, business planning and food safety support from the Farmer Veteran Coalition, and an avenue to share the veteran's story. The program is a marketing initiative started by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and expanded nationally by the Veteran Farmer Coalition. Dates: Annually renewable. Location: Nationwide.
7. Let's Move! Salad Bars to Schools
Purpose: Provides technical and financial support to install salad bars in schools. The initiative is jointly sponsored by United Fresh, the White House, the Center for Disease Control, and others. Dates: rolling application. Location: Nationwide.
8. Action for Healthy Kids Grants
Purpose: Funds variety of school wellness projects involving breakfast, nutrition, and physical activity. Eligibility: Select states. Funding: $500 - $5000 Breakfast grants; $500 - $1000 Game on Grants. Deadline: September 16, 2016.
9. School Fruit and Veggie Grants
Purpose: Awards school projects that help kids learn about and eat more fruits and vegetables. Sponsored by Skoop and Chef Ann Foundation. Eligibility: Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. Schools with greater than 50% free and reduced eligible enrollment encouraged to apply. Funding: $2500/school. Deadline: Available until funding is depleted.
10. Food and Agricultural Sciences Graduate/Postgraduate Fellowship Grants Program (NIFA)
Purpose: Funds graduate level research projects in the areas of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. Eligibility: Colleges and universities, land grant institutions. Funding: $4,500 - $262,000. Deadline: October 11, 2016.
1. Bill to Promote Investment, Economic Development in Rural Areas
Legislation recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) would extend tax credits to job creators in rural communities and take steps to roll back regulatory hurdles to rural economic growth.
2. Affordable Care Act Gives New Farmers the Freedom to Farm
Purpose: Provides a variety of affordable insurance plans specifically for rural Americans. An estimated eight out of ten may qualify for financial assistance to help pay for coverage. Dates: See website. Location: Nationwide.
3. First Census-Led Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs Finds Women, Minorities Are Underrepresented
Researchers of American entrepreneurship now have a timelier socio-economic portrait of the nation's employer-owned businesses as a result of a public-private partnership between the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency, and the Kauffman Foundation. Last week, data from the first Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs were made publicly available, which provides a detailed picture of the American entrepreneur in 2014 by examining race, ethnicity, gender, and geography. A brief released by the Census Bureau notes that more than 480,000 firms with paid employees (roughly 8.9 percent) of the 5.4 million U.S. firms with paid employees in 2014 had been in business for less than two years, according to the recent Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs data. Read more...
4. Improving Early Literacy in PreK-3: Lessons Learned
Increasing the number of students reading at grade level by the third grade requires a coherent pre-K through third grade pathway, effective leadership, greater collaboration among teachers, and effective use of data, a report from the McKnight Foundation finds.... More »
5. Faculty Position Announcement: Assistant Specialist in Cooperative Extension – Community Economic Development, Department of Human Ecology, UC Davis Campus.
The Department of Human Ecology, internationally recognized as a premier center of excellence in research, teaching, and extension, is seeking applications for a Specialist in Cooperative Extension (CE) at the Assistant rank in the field of Community Economic Development. The mission of the Department of Human Ecology is to develop and disseminate comprehensive basic and applied knowledge regarding the human ecology of people, place, and power. A Cooperative Extension (CE) Specialist is being recruited to conduct original applied research resulting in information that can be applied toward effective community economic development strategies in California and to develop an extension education and outreach program that extends information to various clientele (e.g., elected officials, community-based organizations and economic development and/or planning agencies) including under-represented groups. Applications should be submitted on-line at http://recruit.ucdavis.edu/. Additional inquiries should be directed to Clare Gupta (cgupta@ucdavis.edu).
6. Ten percent of all land in farms is expected to be transferred during 2015-19
The relatively advanced age of the U.S. farming population—about a third of principal farm operators in 2014 were at least age 65 compared with 12 percent of self-employed workers in nonagricultural businesses—has sparked interest in the manner in which land will be transferred to other landowners, including the next generation of farm operators. Farmland owners planned to transfer 93 million acres in the next 5 years (2015-19)—10 percent of all land in farms—through a variety of means. Landowners anticipated selling 3.8 percent of all farmland, with just 2.3 percent planned to be sold to non-relatives. A larger share of land (6.5 percent) is expected to be transferred through trusts, gifts, and wills. The share of farmland available for purchase by non-relatives during 2015-19 will likely rise above 2.3 percent as some individuals (or entities) that inherit land may choose to sell it. And, those who inherit land but don't sell it may decide to rent it out to farm operators. In 2014, 39 percent of all farmland was rented and 61 percent was owned by farm operators.
7. Rural Students Face Barriers to College Access, Study Finds
Students from rural communities who want to attend college face unique challenges in their pursuit of higher education, a study from the University of Georgia finds. Conducted by Darris R. Means, an assistant professor in the university's College of Education, the study included interviews with African-American students and staff members in a rural southeastern high school regarding their views of college and college access. While many students had parents who pushed them to go to college, that encouragement was tempered by a lack of resources. For instance, students felt they did not have access to academically rigorous classes or enough time with counselors who could help with the college admission process. They also felt constrained by pressure to attend a school closer to home for family reasons or felt out of place on campuses that lacked diversity. The study also found that in addition to geographic location, race plays a role in whether a student matriculates....
8. Prevalence of food insecurity in 2015 was lower than 2014, still above level before Great Recession
In 2015, 87.3 percent of U.S. households were food secure throughout the year. The remaining 12.7 percent (15.8 million households) were food insecure; they had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources. The percentage of U.S. households that were food insecure declined from 14.0 percent in 2014. Additionally, in 2015, 5.0 percent of U.S. households (6.3 million households) had very low food security. In this more severe range of food insecurity, the food intake of some household members was reduced and normal eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year due to limited resources. The rate, or prevalence, of very low food security in 2015 declined significantly from that in 2014 (5.6 percent). The 2015 declines in food insecurity and very low food security prevalence were the largest year-to-year changes in these rates since the two rates rose in 2008.
9. White House Announces Proposed New Rule for Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Immigrant entrepreneurs would be allowed to remain in the United States for an initial period of up to two years, and, conditional upon meeting certain benchmarks, could potentially stay in the country for one additional period of up to three years under a newly proposed rule by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As part of the International Entrepreneur Rule, which is now open for a 45-day comment period, certain international entrepreneurs would have an opportunity to start or scale their businesses in the United States. In an official blog post by White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Deputy Director for Technology and Innovation Tom Kalil and Assistant Director for Entrepreneurship Doug Rand, the authors note that the new reform would propose clear criteria to identify those entrepreneurs with the potential to provide significant public benefit to the United States. Evaluating entrepreneurs on a case-by-case basis, the proposed rule would consider factors such as: the entrepreneur's ownership stake (at least 15 percent) and leadership role in the startup; the growth potential of the startup; competitive research grants of at least $100,000 from federal, state, and local government agencies provided to the firm; and the investment of at least $345,000 by qualified American investors. Read more...
10. Climate change is projected to cause declines and shifts in fieldcrop acreage across U.S. regions
Climate models predict U.S. agriculture will face changes in local patterns of precipitation and temperature over the next century. These climate changes will affect crop yields, crop-water demand, water-supply availability, farmer livelihoods, and consumer welfare. Using projections of temperature and precipitation under nine different scenarios, ERS research projects that climate change will result in a decline in national fieldcrop acreage in 2080 when measured relative to a scenario that assumes continuation of reference climate conditions (precipitation and temperature patterns averaged over 2001-08). Acreage trends show substantial variability across climate change scenarios and regions. When averaged over all climate scenarios, total acreage in the Mountain States, Pacific, and Southern Plains is projected to expand, while acreage in other regions--most notably the Corn Belt and Northern Plains--declines. Over half of all fieldcrop acreage in the U.S. is found in the Corn Belt and Northern Plains, and projected declines in these regions represent 2.1 percent of their combined acreage. Irrigated acreage for all regions is projected to decline, but in some regions increases in dryland acreage offset irrigated acreage losses. The acreage response reflects projected changes in regional irrigation supply as well as differential yield impacts and shifts in relative profitability across crops and production practices under the climate change scenarios.
1. Health Benefits Laws Compliance Assistance Webcast: The Affordable Care Act and Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
If you are an employer who is trying to comply, or if you are a third party administrator or insurer with questions about the Affordable Care Act or the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, this is your chance to hear from the experts and ask questions. Join us for this webcast.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
September 14, 2016 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
2. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies at Work in Illinois | Thursday, September 15, 2016 | Noon - 1pm
Economic Development requires effective, collaborative institutions focused on advancing mutual gain for the public and the private sector. Economic Development is essential to ensuring our economic future. Actively participating in regional Economic Development Districts to create Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies is working for both rural and urban communities throughout our state.
Darrin Fleener, economic development representative from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's Chicago regional office, will provide an overview of the regional planning process. Prior to EDA, Fleener worked for 13 years with the State of Oregon's economic development department in project management, program development, government relations, and as a rural affairs policy advisor. His professional experience includes working in both urban and rural distressed communities. Also presenting will be Jennifer Daly, CEO of Greater Peoria Economic Development District. Daly will share Peoria's approach to creating a regionally driven economic development process as well as outcomes that have been achieved through this new strategy. There is no cost to attend the webinar; however, pre-registration is required. Register online to attend or contact Kathie Brown (309-255-9189, brownlk@illinois.edu) for more information.
3. CSET 8.0 New User Webinar
ICS-CERT welcomes all industrial control systems owners and operators across all sectors to join us for an introductory webinar on using the Cyber Security Evaluation Tool (CSET®), a free Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stand-alone desktop software that guides users through a step-by-step process to assess their control system and IT network security practices against recognized standards.
September 20, 2016 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
4. Rural Business-Cooperative Service Informational Webinars
September is "Rural Development Month" at the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is holding a series of informational webinars to share success stories and best practices on how customers and partner organizations have used RBS programs and resources to support businesses in rural and Tribal communities. Customers and stakeholders interested in learning more about RBS programs—and how customers have used our financing tools to support entrepreneurship—are encouraged to participate in this opportunity to engage with diverse partner organizations, ask questions, and learn more. For additional information, or to request special accommodations, please contact rdced@wdc.usda.gov.
Sept. 13, 2016 Asian-American/Pacific Islanders Business Development Success Stories
2-3:30 pm EST Facilitator: Tim O'Connell, RBS Community Economic Development
Speaker: Tin Myaing Thein, Ph.D., Pacific Gateway Center
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/b5htudhc9x51&eom
Sept. 14, 2016 Nature+Commerce: Recreational Business Development Success Stories 2-3:30 pm EST Facilitator: AngelaCallie, RBS Community Economic Development
Speaker: Rob Riley, Northern Forest Center
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/5dapkg6w1z1p&eom
Sept. 15, 2016 El Sueño de Ser Dueño de un Negocio - The Dream to be a Business Owner
2-3:30 pm EST Facilitator: Margaret Bau, RBS Cooperative Programs
Speakers: John Flory and Yolanda Cotterall, Latino Economic Development Center; Reggie Knoxx and Brett Malone, California FarmLink
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/3bxtviuytrzo&eom
Sept. 16, 2016 USDA Rural Development Programs for Native American Entrepreneurs
2-3:30 pm EST Facilitator: Tedd Buelow, USDA Rural Development
Speakers: Tedd Buelow, USDA Rural Development,
Bill Hamilton, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Small Business Development Services
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/fjlpl2av6nfs&eom
Sept. 20, 2016 Turning a National Guard Armory Into a Business Center (tentative)
2-3:30 pm EST Facilitator: Greg Dale, RBS Community Economic Development
Speaker: Brenda Tuck, Marengo County Economic Development Authority
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/268jju8giif9&eom
Sept. 22, 2016 Stronger Economies Together: Regional Planning & Business Development 2-3:30 pm EST Success Stories
Facilitator: Hiwot Gebremariam, RBS Community Economic Development
Speakers: Larry Wright, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension;
Janice Stroud-Bickes, USDA Rural Development in Virginia, Martha Walker, Virginia Tech University Cooperative Extension; Peggy Schlechter, South Dakota State University;
Paul Johnson, Jill Rees, USDA Rual Development in Oregon, Amanda Hoey, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (tentative)
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/53wa6i1fghb4&eom
Sept. 27, 2016 Cooperatives as a Tool for Community Solutions
1-2:30 pm EST Facilitator: Margaret Bau, USDA Rural Development, Co-op Basics
Speaker:
Converting existing businesses to employee ownership, Rob Brown,
Cooperative Development Institute, Maine
Turning trailer parks into resident owned communities, Diane Gasaway,
Northwest Cooperative Development Center, Washington:
From farmworkers to farm owners, John Flory,
Latino Economic Development Center, Minnesota
Home care agencies as worker co-ops, Deborah Craig,
Northwest Cooperative Development Center, Washington
When the last grocery store closes, Marnie Thompson,
Fund 4 Democratic Communities, North Carolina
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/7y7n5ugyh3ka&eom
Sept. 29, 2016 Local Food Financing and Cooperative Business Models
2-2:30 pm EST Speaker & Facilitator: Jim Barham, USDA Rural Development
Speaker: Margaret Bau, USDA Rural Development
Webinar/Audio: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/2asq8uq2rmsd&eom
For more CED-related content please subscribe to the following:
Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development
Cooperative Reports, Publications, and Statistics
Rural Cooperative Magazine
Placed Based Initiatives & Regional Programs
Community Economic Development
To subscribe or unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an email to RDCED@wdc.usda.gov.
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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
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