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Category Archives: Resources
Choices Issue on Local Foods
The Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (the national association for U.S. ag economics) has a policy-relevant journal directed toward non-economists. The current issue relates to local foods and includes a number of policy-relevant articles of interest to many of you. Check it out at Choices.
Thinking Beyond the Town Line: Strengthening Rural Development through Cooperation
We talk about regionalism all the time. Collaboration and partnership with surrounding communities is crucial for rural areas. Check out this great webinar recording from the Orton Foundation. Vibrant examples from Michigan, Kentucky, and South Carolina with an intro by of Brett Schwartz of NADO explaining why regionalism is important. Hang in there for the Q&A where the panelists discuss the tension and complementarity of collaboration and competition, among other things. Click the video image below to view the webinar or click here: Some really good thoughts in… Read More →
ERS releases 2016 Rural Development at a Glance
USDA ERS released its 2016 Rural Development at a Glance publication this month. As always, interesting points to ponder. This table with counties coded by dominant industry is interesting and shows the diversity of industry among Texas rural counties. We like to think of Texas as a fairly rural state, but Census data shows that only 15.3% of Texans live in rural areas v. 19.3% across the entire U.S. In fact, Texas ranks as the 36th most rural state by that measure (alternatively, the… Read More →
Igniting the Spark for Community Development: Developing Community Readiness, SRDC Webinar
Often communities struggle with getting their citizenry involved in community betterment. Join the Southern Rural Development Center Tuesday, November 15, at noon Central to explore the concept of community readiness, and discuss programs and methods that encourage public engagement.
Rural Leaders Share Ideas to Improve Communities
The Texas Rural Leadership Program participants share ideas to improve communities in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU_KsqoYEuo#action=share
Upcoming Webinar: Do something with those empty lots downtown!
From Glenn Muske at eXtension’s Entrepreneurs and Their Communities: You know those empty lots downtown? It’s time to put them to good use. We’re co-sponsoring (or offering points for) this webinar by SaveYour.Town to give you practical ideas and solutions other towns have used successfully to make empty lots into something useful. Don’t you have a roofless building in your downtown, too? Either one that burned or the roof just fell in because of disrepair? Well, you’ll get ideas for those, too. More examples of real places that… Read More →
Battleground to Breaking Ground Workshop, College Station, May 7
Excited to visit with veterans about ag and rural business opportunities and business planning at Battleground to Breaking Ground in College Station, May 7. Learn more at http://txagrability.tamu.edu/workshops/.
South Plains SET team meets with USDA RD to discuss progress and SECD opportunities
The South Plains Stronger Economies Together (SET) team met with with USDA-Rural Development Regional Community Economic Development Coordinator, Greg Dale Wednesday, April 20, in Tulia. The team discussed progress in implementing their regional SET plan and learned about opportunities for USDA Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) funding.
USDA Home Repair and Home Ownership
Many of our rural communities tell us about the need for home repair and home ownership. Here is a video on USDA home loan programs. Interested in learning more? See http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/single-family-housing-programs.
ERS Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America
Need a quick look at how your county stacks up against the rest of the state? Or maybe you need to generate a quick graphic to accompany a community report. The Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America from USDA-ERS displays statistics on people, jobs, veterans, and county types. Data have been updated to reflect the latest population, poverty, and American Community Survey statistics.