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Category Archives: Resources
What is Community Development? – Revised Publication
Back in January, I discussed definitions of community development under the banner What is Community Development? That post actually followed one on how Community Development Precedes Economic Development. If you still have questions about what Extension Community Development looks like, Greg Taylor, Craig Carpenter, Jamie Rae Walker, and I have updated the What is Community Development? Extension fact sheet, available at here, at https://communities.tamu.edu/selected-publications/, or at the AgriLife Bookstore. The publication primarily targets Extension faculty and presents how various aspects of community development overlap with other traditional areas… Read More →
Economics of Healthy Concession Choices
Last night was my family’s first Little League game of the year. Yay! Last year was a little weird, and it’s exciting to be back in the stands—and the concession stands. In fact, I’ll be working the concession stand tonight. Concessions stands don’t usually pride themselves on serving the world’s healthiest foods. Last night, I had a healthy salad for dinner so I could enjoy my favorite baseball “sometimes food” at the game — my first jalapeno nachos of the season. Balance, right? But, in our Working on… Read More →
Revisiting the Ten Commandments of Community Leadership
The Ten Commandments of Community Leadership are usually on the final slide of my in-person presentations. I actually got to be with a community in person last week, and someone tried to search for the book online. I found a PDF from the Association of Washington Cities, and it’s totally worth the short read. Almost a decade ago, I was offered some items from a retired colleague’s files and stumbled upon The Ten Commandments of Community Leadership, a great little book by Maury Forman and Michelle Harvey published… Read More →
Simple Steps for Small Business Cybersecurity
Recent graduate Blane Counsil and I have a new Extension publication offering cybersecurity tips for small businesses. There are many steps business owners and their employees can take to protect their business and their customers’ data. It’s less complicated than you might think. Physically securing IT resources is important,but barriers to access may deter potential criminals. Making sure all employees follow security protocols is critical; people are the weakest link in any security plan. See the pub in the AgriLife Bookstore (search for EAG-060 or “cyber”) or at… Read More →
Setting up and Strengthening your Google and Facebook Presence
If you can’t find a business online, does it even exist? Consumers increasingly rely on web searches to find not only goods and services but also local locations, hours, contact info, and reviews. Still, many small businesses do not have a website, social media, or Google listing. Setting up a website can be time consuming, but improving your online search results and engaging in social media can be simple steps with big benefits for your business. Google and Facebook both have sites to help small business owners use… Read More →
New Brief: Small Business Resilience through Recession
COVID-19 is presenting unique difficulties for small businesses. Focusing on people, products, and processes to emerge stronger from economic downturns. Small Business Resilience through Recession
Long-term Financial Management After Disaster
This morning the Texas Tribune is running two articles (here and here) about how long it may take for federal resources to reach Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey and how that lag may affect poverty, homelessness, and well-being throughout the state. The sites below include information about overcoming financial set-backs and management after a disaster. One of the nice things about each of the resources listed below is that information is provided in short, topic-specific chunks so it is easy to find and quickly read or watch the… Read More →
Resources to BTHO Hate and Build Community Dialogue
The words at the bottom of our Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service publications read: “Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.” Yesterday, as news of a (since cancelled) white supremacist rally on the Texas A&M University campus developed, our Extension Director took a few moments to remind us of that statement and our commitment to it, and I’m so glad he… Read More →
Webinar: Committee of Negativity: Getting Past the Old Guard
Just saw a notice that Becky McCray and Deb Brown of SaveYour.Town are hosting their next webinar: Committee of Negativity: Getting Past the Old Guard. I hear about negativity concerns fairly often and think you will find these presenters helpful. Info is below. “All small towns have one, a committee of negativity that can’t find anything right with what you do. We’ve all been there and been frustrated with their reactions. Join Deb and I as we share stories and methods for diffusing the committee of negativity,” said… Read More →
Results of Texas Rural Leaders and Economies Survey Released
The report documenting results of the Texas Rural Leaders and Economies Survey is now posted on the Rural Communities website. A few economic highlights are below. For more information view the complete report online. Future posts will discuss local institutions, keeping young people, and rural leadership. Leaders tended to view overall economic conditions and retail conditions similarly. Most respondents rated their economies and retail sectors as stable. Perceptions of decline across both city and county respondents were more evident in rural counties not adjacent to urban areas. … Read More →