Edited and complied by Deb Miller Slipek and Ann Treacy.

In this month’s issue:

•  – Across the Field
• – Funding
• – Meetings & Trainings
• – Opportunities
• – Miscellaneous
• – Job Openings

ACROSS the FIELD: Rural development lost a good friend this past week. By Jane Leonard

Don Koverman, our former colleague and former chair at Minnesota Rural Partners, died Friday night less than a month after being diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Don was serving as Senior Associate for the Purdue Center for Regional ‎Development, Purdue University, Indiana.

Between a wave of retirements and way-too-early deaths, we have lost so much heart and soul and institutional memory among the baby boomers who literally, over the past 40 years, created the field of community and economic development we practice and study today. My sadness over such loss is allayed somewhat by seeing the many young professionals now coming through the ranks who share the same passion for learning and community building that Don shared with us throughout his deep and wide career.

Don served our state and the country for over 30 years in governmental, educational, ‎and nonprofit organizations in both rural and urban environments. His career experience included working for the ‎City of Indianapolis (14 years), as a city manager in rural Minnesota (11 years), on ‎faculty with the University of Minnesota (2 years), Director of Community Development ‎for the Southeast/South Central Minnesota Initiative Fund, as a county plan director (2 years) for Morgan County, Indiana, and as the ‎Executive Director for the Indiana Rural Development Council (2 years). ‎

I met Don when we were both serving on the Minnesota Rural Partners board in the 1990s. He was the city manager for Plainview and I was working in state government. I had seen him most recently at the 2011 Community Development Society conference in July in Boise, ID. We had been corresponding since then about the Community Change Collaborative that he was coordinating – a loose but determined group of community and economic development researchers and practitioners working on creating a matrix of all the different approaches to managing, measuring and thriving through community change. The work Don helped begin continues, the friendships he fostered will endure, and his memory will inspire us forward. Rest in peace, Don.

FUNDING

–The AgStar Fund for Rural America, a corporate giving program of AgStar Financial Services, is offering $20,000 in scholarships to help students in rural areas continue their education. High school seniors throughout AgStar’s 69 county service area in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin are encouraged to apply.

Seniors who plan to continue their education and pursue careers in agricultural fields are encouraged to apply for one of the 15 – $1,000 scholarships available. In addition, the fund is awarding five – $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors who have an agricultural background and plan to continue their education in any field of study. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 1, 2012 through April 1, 2012.

Students will be awarded scholarships based on their academic record, vocational promise, community service and leadership qualities. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or better. There will be four students chosen from each of AgStar’s five regions in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Applicants must be residents of one of the 69 counties within AgStar’s territory:

Minnesota Counties: Aitkin, Anoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Itasca, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Lake, LeSueur, McLeod, Martin, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pine, Pipestone, Ramsey, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona and Wright.

Wisconsin Counties: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Iron, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer and Washburn.

Scholarships may be applied toward tuition at colleges, universities, technical or vocational schools. Students can get scholarship application forms online at http://agstar.com/enhancingamerica/fundforruralamerica/Pages/HighSchoolScholarships.aspx.

–HUD is seeking applications for the Healthy Homes Technical Studies Program.  The goals of the program are to mobilize public and private resources, involving cooperation among all levels of government, the private sector, grassroots community-based organizations and other nonprofits, to develop and implement methods for identifying and controlling housing-related hazards; and to build local capacity to operate sustainable programs that will continue to prevent, minimize, and control housing-related hazards in low- and very low-income residences when HUD funding is exhausted.  Deadline:  1/31/2012.  To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, http://tinyurl.com/7s44b5t

– Minority Nurse Scholarship Program applications are due February 1. http://tinyurl.com/7eon4gx

–DNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grants.  Organizations and governments now can apply for fish and wildlife habitat improvement grants. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant applications for projects ranging from $5,000 to $400,000.

Funds must be used to enhance, restore or protect the forests, wetlands, prairies and habitat for fish, game or wildlife in Minnesota. A total of $3.48 million is available. The application deadline is Wednesday, February 8, 2012.  For more details go to: http://tinyurl.com/7ed4wsm

– 2012 American Forest & Paper Association Recycling Awards.  Each year the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) Recycling Awards recognize outstanding paper recycling efforts. Enter your business, community, or school program today for the chance to win a $2,000 cash prize, original framed artwork, and recognition in local and national media. The entry deadline is Friday, February 10, 2012.  For more details go to: http://www.paperrecyclingawards.com/

–The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering grants to nonprofits to provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families, chiefly those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.  Both initial and renewal grants are available.  Deadline:  2/15/2012.  To learn more about this opportunity, http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/SSVF.asp

–Jenzabar Foundation is inviting nominations for University Student Leadership Awards in Community Service.  Grants of $5,000 will be awarded to ten student-led campus groups or projects that have made a significant impact beyond their own institution.  Deadline:  2/20/2012.  To learn more about these awards, http://tinyurl.com/8xzxepn

–US EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants.  The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) Environmental Justice Small Grants Program supports and empowers communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues. The program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships to help them understand and address environmental and public health issues in their communities. Successful collaborative partnerships involve not only well-designed strategic plans to build, maintain and sustain the partnerships, but also working towards addressing the local environmental and public health issues.

Grant applications are being accepted through February 29, 2012 for $1 million in funding to support projects designed to research, educate, empower and enable communities to understand and address local environmental and public health issues. Funding is available for grants up to $25,000 each.  For more details go to: http://tinyurl.com/6q7awcr

–The National Endowment for the Arts has announced funding for the 2012 Our Town grants.  The funding supports creative placemaking projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places.  Grants will range from $25,000 to $150,000.  Deadline to apply:  3/1/2012.  For guidelines and more information, click http://tinyurl.com/73ydc84

–The Tech Museum of Innovation has announced the Tech Awards, which are designed to inspire global engagement in applying technology to humanity’s most pressing problems.  The awards recognize individuals, organizations and companies that are utilizing innovative technology solutions to address urgent issues in the areas of education, equality, environment, health and economic development.  Each year, candidates are nominated and then, if judged eligible, invited to submit applications for funding.  Deadline for nominations:  4/1/2012.  For more information and to apply, click http://tinyurl.com/86kmewa

–Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Grants.  The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has issued its 2012 – 2013 Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund beginning July 1, 2013. Approximately $31 million is expected to be available for projects being sought in environment and natural resource areas that will provide multiple ecological and other public benefits. Proposals responding to the 2012-2013 RFP are due Friday, April 6, 2012.

Proposals are being requested in the following six areas:

1. The Reinvest in Minnesota program as provided in M.S. 84.95, Subd. 2.

2. Research that contributes to increasing the effectiveness of protecting or managing the state’s environment or natural resources.

3. Collection and analysis of information that assists in developing the state’s environmental and natural resources policies.

4. Enhancement of public education, awareness, and understanding necessary for the protection, conservation, restoration, and enhancement of air, land, water, forests, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.

5. Capital projects for the preservation and protection of unique natural resources.

6. Activities that preserve or enhance fish, wildlife, land, air, water, and other natural resources that otherwise may be substantially impaired or destroyed in any area of the state.

For more details and to access the RFP, go to: http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/

– National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program applications are being accepted until May 15. http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/

– The FCC has announced the Connect America Fund to help extend Broadband services to underserved Americans.  The FCC estimates that expanding high-speed Internet access to rural America over the next six years will increase economic growth by $50 billion over that period.  To read the press release, click http://tinyurl.com/7jx5jfn

–Community Based Care Transition Program applications are being accepted for pilot projects to reduce hospital readmissions, test sustainable funding streams for care transition services, maintain or improve quality of care, and document savings to Medicare. http://tinyurl.com/42ntbsh

TRAINING/MEETINGS

–Explore Minnesota 2012 Tourism Conference is January 24-25, 2012 in Rochester, MN.  Download a copy of the tourism conference brochure, http://tinyurl.com/7nmdbqz or get more details http://tinyurl.com/85hmljs

– Points of interest - Compass Annual Meeting!  Please mark your calendar for Thursday, February 2, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Wilder Center.  The theme, “Positioning Ourselves for Prosperity,” will delve into the interconnected topics of education, health, and economy and workforce.  An exciting lineup of speakers includes a keynote by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor and Compass Governance Committee Member, Steven J. Rosenstone, on what a prosperous Minnesota will look like – and how we can work collectively to achieve it. The event is free but space is limited. http://tinyurl.com/87xhon9

–The 28th Annual MRWA Water & Wastewater Technical Conference – March 6-8, 2012 – River’s Edge Convention Center (Civic Center) in St. Cloud, MN.  For more information go to: http://www.mrwa.com/TechConf2012.htm

– Evaluation in a Complex World: Changing Expectations, Changing Realities will be held March 28 – 30, 2012 at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus Continuing Education and Conference Center.  The Minnesota Evaluation Studies Institute (MESI) http://evaluation.umn.edu/ will be hosting the interdisciplinary evaluation conference http://tinyurl.com/7bbgfza designed for professional evaluators, program directors and staff in nonprofit and for-profit organizations, students and others interested in conducting or using evaluations. MESI provides a unique opportunity to learn and reflect on contemporary issues in evaluation with national experts and practitioners in a small setting. The institute brings together faculty expertise from the College of Education and Human Development, the School of Public Health, the Humphrey School for Public Affairs, the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) and Extension. Additional conference and registration information can be found on the conference website. http://evaluation.umn.edu/mesi-conference/

–Save the dates for the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) Spring Conference on April 25 at the Minneapolis Convention Center and November 1, 2012 for the Tekne Awards also at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

–Save the Date! Grassroots & Groundwork 2012 Conference will be held June 6-8, 2012 at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, MN.

– Coffee Break Webinars.  http://www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org/ Nonprofits Assistance Fund explains important financial management topics in easy-to-digest, 15-minute webinars http://tinyurl.com/72pb5as available on demand! It’s perfect for board members, executive directors and nonprofit staff.

• Balance Sheet Basics: What We Have, What We Owe, What We’re Worth http://tinyurl.com/7bgyxab

• Cash vs. Accrual Accounting: See the Future and Not Just the Past http://tinyurl.com/7asmu2l

• Income Statement Basics: What’s Behind the Bottom Line http://tinyurl.com/8xkqpct

• Managing Restricted Funds: Catch, then Release http://tinyurl.com/c368odu

• Off the Shelf and into Practice: Using Your Annual Audit http://tinyurl.com/7gts9o7

OPPORTUNITIES

– 2012 Work for Water Art and Design Contest.  Freshwater Society presents 2012 Work for Water Art and Design Contest. This year’s contest is a call to action. The contest seeks high school students to inspire Minnesotans to take action to protect our waters. High school students have two opportunities to graphically and creatively convey the issue of Urban Runoff and motivate others to respond through simple behavior change, while understanding why their actions are so important.

The Work for WaterArt and Design Contest will not only highlight the importance of water in our lives, but also educate and provoke citizens to take simple everyday steps to protect our waters. 2012 Work for Water Design Contest asks students to create graphic design, short videos, photos, paintings, drawings, etc. to be used as messaging tools for Freshwater Society’s Work for Water Campaign, a multi-year campaign to engage Minnesotans in protecting water. Winning entries will be featured on billboards, in PSAs, websites, yard signs, t-shirts, etc. throughout the state. They will become tools inspiring change.

The design contest is open to all public, private and home schooled 9th – 12th
grade students in Minnesota.   All entries must be submitted to http://freshwater.org/ArtDesignContest/  by midnight on:

2nd Contest: April 30, 2012.

$500, $300 and $200 prizes will be awarded to the three top state competition winners in each contest.   For more details, see http://www.freshwater.org/index.php/art-contest

–MINNESOTA RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE is June 25-26 in Duluth. Presentation proposals are due February 3. http://tinyurl.com/6qw5883

- HUD is seeking comments by February 14, 2012 on a proposed rule to amend its HOME Investment Partnerships program regulations.  The proposal would update property standards for housing assisted by HOME funds.  To read the Federal Register notice, http://tinyurl.com/6oufp93

–2012 Reuben Youngerberg Memorial Biodiesel Essay Scholarship Contest.  This scholarship contest is open to all Minnesota high school seniors.  All high school seniors in Minnesota with plans to attend postsecondary education are eligible to submit entries to the Reuben Youngerberg Memorial Biodiesel Essay Scholarship. Essays entered must be about topics related to biodiesel.

Two scholarships will be awarded. The first place essay writer will receive a $1,600 scholarship; the second place essay writer will receive a $500 scholarship.

All entries must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012 to the American Lung Association in Minnesota. For more details, see http://www.cleanairchoice.org/fuels/scholarship2012.cfm or http://tinyurl.com/7xachll

–Rural health professionals deserve recognition for going “above and beyond.” Nominations for the 2012 Minnesota Rural Health Awards are due April 20. One individual and one team will be honored at the Minnesota Rural Health Conference June 25-26 in Duluth. http://tinyurl.com/8xvnxrv

MISCELLANEOUS

– The Home Depot Foundation (THDF) has created the Sustainable Cities Institute (SCI), which is grounded in the belief that a sustainable community effort consists of a long-term, integrated and systematic approach to developing and achieving a healthy community by jointly addressing economic, environmental, and social issues.  SCI is a tool that individuals and cities can utilize for a holistic, long-term approach to sustainability planning and implementation of healthy communities. The very comprehensive SCI website is a dynamic online toolbox that was initially built by THDF, but is shaped by its users, who post, comment and contribute to the website. It was developed based upon input from sustainability directors, city leaders and technical experts.

From its homepage, you can navigate through topic areas including Economic Development, Water, Materials Management, Land Use and Transportation; as well as through classrooms, communication labs, a planning center and a library. In addition, there are forums, webinars, a calendar, City Profiles and an interactive “Sustainable City” map.  Memberships to SCI are free, and include a useful e-newsletter. Visit: http://tinyurl.com/75ey8vm

–The Aspen Institute, in collaboration with the Democracy Collaborative, convened practitioners, investors, foundation donors, elected officials, scholars and reporters to generate ideas on how to advance community wealth building efforts.  To get a copy of the report that provides highlights of the discussion, http://tinyurl.com/7pwo8db

–Designing for Healthy Communities: Active Living and Comprehensive Community Development is a paper from the Institute for Comprehensive Community Development.  It offers a summary of empirical evidence that can be used by community developers to add a public health component to their work.  To read the paper, http://www.instituteccd.org/library/3258

–Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices is a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures and AARP, that suggests State policies, such as land use, housing and transportation, home services, etc. that are needed to help seniors age in place.  To get a free copy, http://tinyurl.com/7jv49a8

–Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities is a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that identifies how the federal government can help rural areas be economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable.  To download a free copy, http://tinyurl.com/782p9mf

–Novogradac & Company LLP has released the final version of the Rent & Income Limit Calculator that uses HUD 2012 rent and income limit data.  This tool can calculate IRC Section 42(i)(3)(A) low-income housing tax credit rent and income limits for every county in the United States.  You can access the calculator http://tinyurl.com/cvwhrpx

–The Center for Housing Policy has released an update of its Paycheck to Paycheck database, and a report that finds that many workers in five common jobs related to the holiday retail season cannot afford to rent or own a home.  To see the database and the report, http://tinyurl.com/8yw29gc

–The impact of healthy food access on rural and urban communities is discussed in Policy Link’s Healthy Food, Healthy Communities: Promising Strategies to Improve Access to Fresh, Healthy Food and Transform Communities.  For a free copy, http://tinyurl.com/7p8a6s4

–The Institute for Comprehensive Community Development has published the third issue of its Journal featuring a series of articles that explore how community development can have the best impact in a complex world.  To download a copy, http://tinyurl.com/7k6cx47

–United States agriculture is notorious for its “golden eras.” In the 1910s and the 1970s, strong global demand and rising exports boosted agricultural commodity prices and farm incomes. These golden eras, however, were soon tarnished as economic and financial market conditions changed. Today, U.S. agriculture appears to be in the midst of another golden era. Robust export activity, strong bio-fuels demand and low interest rates have spurred another farm income and farmland value boom. Despite the vast similarities to past booms, subtle differences suggest that this time could be different.  The latest issue of the “Main Street Economist” explores the foundations of the current and past farm booms. Read the complete article at: http://tinyurl.com/7rgayrw.

–2011 Bicycle Tourism Summit Presentations Posted.  Presentations by several of the speakers at the Bicycle Tourism Summit held in Mankato on November 3, 2011 have now been posted on the website. In addition, the entire resource manual and the Mississippi River Trail Marketing Tool Box can also be downloaded. Go to http://tinyurl.com/7zjhk25 to access these great resources.

––CDFI Fund Announces Capacity Building Initiative’s First Resource Bank.  The Financing Healthy Food Options Resource Bank makes the training and resource materials used for the Financing Healthy Food Options training series available to the general public and members of the community development industry.  To learn more about the bank, click http://tinyurl.com/89fpvam

- The Farm Program Atlas is an online interactive mapping tool that displays payment and participation data by county for seven key Federal farm programs. The tool enables users to view maps, see how data vary across counties, and download the data.  See http://tinyurl.com/74d83to

– Rural America has a role to play as the nation addresses challenges around how we sustainably feed, fuel, and connect with one another.  This year’s gathering of the National Rural Assembly in St. Paul focused on building a more inclusive nation where all the people and all the places can make a difference.   http://tinyurl.com/6o2t2qf

– A 128-page Renewable Energy in Schools guide was prepared by the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society in June 2011. Available for free download from the web site above, this is a step-by-step guide for evaluating, acquiring, installing, promoting and using renewable energy systems in K-12 schools.  This guide describes a process that will help schools learn from the experiences of other schools, identify clear goals and provide tools to achieve those goals. It provides an approach to help navigate the sometimes obscure process of creating a successful renewable energy project that meets the school’s educational, sustainability, fiscal and environmental goals.

The guide lays out a general process, but also provides examples of details and technical information, as well as educational, financial, and technical resources available to schools. Readers need to be aware, however, that the renewable energy landscape is evolving rapidly and the resources noted in this guide will also change. The guide’s emphasis, therefore, is on helping identify types of resources rather than specific programs, curricula or grants. This guide specifically focuses on wind and solar systems.

For more details or to download the guide, go to: http://bit.ly/vdN5EO

–The new Minnesota Health Care Reform Task Force website is a clearinghouse for health reform efforts. http://tinyurl.com/7zr5aab

– FederalGrants.com is dedicated to helping you find information on United States Federal Grants. We aim to provide accurate information on how to qualify for these government grants, the processes related to applying for a grant, and what to do once you are approved.  Go to: http://www.federalgrants.com/

–Research Investments and Market Structure in the Food Processing, Agricultural Input, and Biofuels Industries Worldwide.  Meeting growing global demand for food, fiber, and biofuel requires robust investment in agricultural research and development (R&D) from both public and private sectors. This study examines global R&D spending by private industry in seven agricultural input sectors, food manufacturing, and biofuel and describes the changing structure of these industries. In 2007 (the latest year for which comprehensive estimates are available), the private sector spent $19.7 billion on food and agricultural research (56 percent in food manufacturing and 44 percent in agricultural input sectors) and accounted for about half of total public and private spending on food and agricultural R&D in high-income countries. In R&D related to biofuel, annual private-sector investments are estimated to have reached $1.47 billion worldwide by 2009. Incentives to invest in R&D are influenced by market structure and other factors Agricultural input industries have undergone significant structural change over the past two decades, with industry concentration on the rise. A relatively small number of large, multinational firms with global R&D and marketing networks account for most R&D in each input industry. Rising market concentration has not generally been associated with increased R&D investment as a percentage of industry sales.  See:  http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err130/

JOB OPENINGS

– Executive Director for the West Central/Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership. In Minnesota, we have a set of Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, which focus on sustainable development in agriculture, natural resources and tourism.  Each of the partnerships has a strong board of very engaged people representing community and university stakeholders.  These partnerships are part of Extension and there is an opening for the Executive Director for the West Central/Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership.

This is an excellent position for making an impact on sustainable development in Greater Minnesota.  Please see the job posting at the link below and feel free to forward
Direct link to job posting http://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=100211

– Director of Grants, Blandin Foundation.  Copies of the position description can be found at http://www.blandinfoundation.org/who-we-are/careers.php

Compiled and edited by Deb Miller Slipek & Ann Treacy

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

–ACROSS THE FIELD

–FUNDING

–TRAINING/MEETINGS

–OPPORTUNITIES

–MISCELLANEOUS

Across the Field – Celebrating the Compendium – by guest writer Jane Leonard

The MRP Round-Up is about to reach its 10^th year of compiling, digesting and disseminating (hopefully) useful information. Although Minnesota Rural Partners is no longer an active organization, volunteers continue to publish the MRP Rural Round-Up. It’s pretty easy to do and it seems to help so many folks out there. Please thank Deb Miller Slipek and Ann Treacy for their monthly dedication to this task over the past nine years.

As the 10^th year of the Round-Up comes into view, I thought I should share some of the inspiration for this monthly compendium (a concise summary or abridgement). I learned about words like “compendium” when I was writing my master’s thesis in journalism way back in the 1980s. My thesis covered the importance of agricultural journals of the 1800s. Well before the creation of electronic information technologies, Americans used agricultural fairs, experiment farms, and agricultural journals to share rural know-how. These information dissemination methods offered incredibly rich ways to connect personally and remotely. They also inspired the official start and eventual cabinet-level creation of the United States Department of Agriculture (which celebrates its 150^th anniversary in 2012).

If you want to see an example of 19^th century information sharing technology here in Minnesota, go to the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River. According to the Minnesota Historical Society, “although he knew little about farming in 1850, Oliver H. Kelley staked a claim at the new town of Itasca on the Mississippi River near present-day Elk River. He became a “book farmer,” learning the latest farming techniques from agricultural journals and by corresponding with other “scientific-oriented” farmers. In a short time, he became an expert on farming in Minnesota…. He went on to start the National Grange, a fraternal organization of farm families.”

One of the premier agricultural journals of Oliver Kelley’s day was the national American Agriculturist (“Designed to improve the farmer, the planter, and the gardener.”). A sentiment I read in the March 1856 issue has guided me in my career over the years and inspired me to help start the online Rural Round-Up a decade ago.

Here it is, shared in the spirit and generosity of knowledge dissemination 150 years ago; the words remain helpful and relevant today: “Gentility is neither in birth, wealth, manner nor fashion—but in the mind. A high sense of honor, a determination never to take a mean advantage of another, an adherence to truth, delicacy, and politeness towards those with whom we have dealings, are its essential characteristics.”

– American Agriculturist, March 1856.

FUNDING

– The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has begun accepting applications from investors and businesses that want to participate in the Minnesota Angel Tax Credit Program in 2012.  The agency will have $12 million in angel tax credits available to qualified investors next year. DEED had $16 million in angel tax credits available in 2011, but those credits ran out this week because of the strong response to the program.

Under the program, qualified investors can receive a tax credit of 25 percent on investments of at least $10,000 in emerging companies that specialize in high technology or new proprietary technology.  Businesses that receive angel funding must be headquartered in Minnesota and have fewer than 25 employees, with at least 51 percent of the workers and total payroll based in the state. Businesses must have been operating for no more than 10 years and cannot have received previous equity investments exceeding $2 million.

Investors and businesses can begin the application process for 2012 participation at: www.PositivelyMinnesota.com/angelcredit. Other details about the program are available from Jeff Nelson at 651-259-7523 or Angel.Credit@state.mn.us.

– MPCA begins accepting applications for $350,000 in clean diesel grant funding.   The MPCA will be seeking applicants to use its federal Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grant funding to improve a wide range of fleets. Applications must be received by Dec. 22, 2011, and projects must be completed by Aug. 31, 2012.

The MPCA’s new target will be public and private on-road and off-road diesel fleets older than 2007 that operate in Minnesota, with preference given to those operating in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. Focus remains on the Twin Cities because air quality there is close to exceeding the national air quality health standards for fine particles and ozone.

The current Request for Proposal (RFP) will fund EPA-approved technologies, including idle reduction, emission controls, hybrid replacement and engine re-powers. Vehicle and equipment examples include on-road class 5 (16,000 lb. gross vehicle weight) or larger delivery trucks, off-road construction equipment, generators of 100-300 horsepower, and refrigeration units for delivery trucks.

The minimum award is $10,000 and the maximum award is $150,000. Vehicles and equipment must be in working order to be eligible for grant funding and no work can begin until a contract agreement is approved by the MPCA. For a copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP), contact Martina Cameron at contracts.pca@state.mn.us or at 651-757-2259. Applicants will need to give an email address to receive the RFP application and supporting materials electronically. The email subject line should read: “CR5220, Clean Diesel RFP.” More information can be found online on the MPCA’s Grants/Financial Assistance for Clean Diesel Projects page.

– Calling your attention to an opportunity for $5,000 planning grants that can lead to possible three-year implementation grants from Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. http://www.wfmn.org/  Deadline for planning grant application is January 19, 2012 with grant period from April 1 – August 30, 2012.

The Foundation’s Social Change Fund awards grants to Minnesota nonprofits seeking to remove barriers to equality for women and girls in their communities through “social change” – shifting attitudes and behaviors, or institutions and policies that limit equality.  For more information on how to apply click here. http://tinyurl.com/cnxd5l6 Also note that a webinar http://tinyurl.com/bnmrwwt is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on December 15 to learn more about the social change fund, grant application and opportunity for questions.  This funder awards grants throughout Minnesota, including organizations and projects in Greater Minnesota.

–Upcoming East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) deadlines:

Art Project Grants for Organizations- January 15, 2012 information is online at: http://www.ecrac.org/grants/organization-project-grant 

Small Grants for Organizations – February 1 & April 1, 2012 information is online at: http://www.ecrac.org/grants/small-grant-project 

Art and Cultural Heritage Fund Grants for organizations and individuals -February 1 & April 1, 2012.  Grant application materials for this program are online at: (organizations) http://tinyurl.com/c8rxy3t and (individuals) http://tinyurl.com/cpxurb7

Art in Our Schools – February 1 & April 1, 2012 information is online at: http://www.ecrac.org/grants/art-our-school-grant 

Individual Artist Grants – February 1 & April 1, 2012.  Grant application materials for this program are online at: http://tinyurl.com/ccb5aeg

TRAINING/MEETINGS

– Plan on the 2012 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference.  Registration and lodging information is now available for the 2012 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference at the Kahler Grand Hotel in Rochester, January 24-25. Cost for the conference remains the same as last year. Early rate registration is $179 (registration and payment must be postmarked by January 10, 2012) and the second/subsequent attendees from the same organization will remain at $159.  Go to: http://tinyurl.com/cv26sbm for a more complete description of the sessions. Online registration is preferred. Contact Gayle Junnila at 651-757-1852 or gayle.junnila@state.mn.us for more information.

–Save the Date! Grassroots & Groundwork 2012 Conference will be held June 6-8, 2012 at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, MN.

OPPORTUNITIES

– A new initiative called Lend for America (www.lendforamerica.org) was launched by a collective of student-powered microenterprise organizations called the Campus Microfinance Alliance.  Summer internships for university students committed to bringing microenterprise to their local campus communities are being offered. You can read about the interesting work being done around the country by these organizations by visiting the Lend for America website.  If you know of university students interested in this internship opportunity, they can apply online or attend a virtual information session on December 16th: http://tinyurl.com/d4zkzmh.

– The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) is accepting applications from individuals wishing to serve on the Board of Directors. There are currently openings for Chisago, Isanti, and Pine County representatives.  ECRAC is looking for individuals with knowledge of various art forms and perspectives. Those encouraged to apply are:  arts advocates; past grantees; active artists working in all disciplines; artists from communities of color; arts supporters/collectors; or individuals with knowledge of their local arts community.

The deadline for submitting a nomination is December 31, 2011. Interested individuals may contact the ECRAC office at director@ecrac.org or 320-396-2337 for more information about responsibilities, the council and its grant programs, and to receive a self-nomination form.

MISCELLANEOUS

–At the recent Jump$tart National Educators Conference, the Financial Services Roundtable provided a list of 36 free, comprehensive financial education curricula; most are for high school. It was compiled with Operation HOPE. It is very helpful to see them all in one place. http://tinyurl.com/dyc6295

–Can Brazil Meet the World’s Growing Need for Ethanol?  Brazil is a major supplier of ethanol due to its natural advantage in sugarcane production, productivity gains in both sugarcane production and ethanol processing, and supportive government policies. While Brazil has the potential to fill the growing world demand for ethanol, the country’s ability to supply the world ethanol market also depends on domestic ethanol demand, relative prices of ethanol, sugar, and crude oil, the Real’s exchange value, and improvements to infrastructure.  See: http://tinyurl.com/c4onjp5

– The NAFTA Countries Build on Free Trade. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an integral part of the North American agricultural economy. Efforts to strengthen agricultural trade under NAFTA are focusing on regulatory cooperation, long-haul trucking, dispute resolution in produce trade, and refining NAFTA’s rules of origin. Recognizing market opportunities outside North America, each NAFTA country is seeking more open trading relationships with non-NAFTA countries.  See: http://tinyurl.com/cwhkcxj

– Local Foods Marketing Channels Encompass a Wide Range of Producers. The size of the U.S. local food market was $4.8 billion in 2008. Local food marketing channels varied with farm size, region of the country, and proximity to population centers. Operators of small and medium-sized farms with local food sales spent more hours farming and are more likely to list farming as their primary occupation than similarly sized farms without local food sales.  See: http://tinyurl.com/d5eay32

–U.S. Food Safety Policy Enters a New Era.  In late 2010, Congress passed the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the most comprehensive reforms to Federal food safety laws since 1938. The preventive approach embodied in the Act reflects an established scientific/managerial consensus on how to improve food safety systems. Economic research on similar food safety initiatives by industry and government can help guide implementation of the FSMA.  See: http://tinyurl.com/6u83o9x

–Changing Farming Practices Accompany Major Shifts in Farm Structure. While the number of farms and land in farms has remained relatively stable over the past 3 decades, agricultural productivity has grown significantly. Changes in the way farmers produce and market agricultural commodities have allowed many farmers to increase the size of their operations, facilitating technological and organizational changes that, in turn, have helped increase productivity. On net, these changes in farm structure and practices have resulted in a smaller environmental footprint for the average unit of output produced.  See: http://tinyurl.com/bqvws79

–AMBER WAVES, DECEMBER 2011, VOL. 9, NO. 4.  Amber Waves presents the broad scope of ERS’s research and analysis. The magazine covers the economics of agriculture, food and nutrition, the food industry, trade, rural America, and farm-related environmental topics. Available on the Internet and in print, Amber Waves is issued in print four times a year (March, June, September, and December). The Internet edition, or “eZine,” includes links to web-only resources, such as podcasts and additional articles.  See:  http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December11/

–Recognizing Risk in Global Agriculture: A Summary of the 2011 Agricultural Symposium can be viewed at: http://tinyurl.com/ckff288

– Winona NANOprep Grant
Southeast Technical has received a large NSF grant to develop nanotechnology programs aimed at rural students.  http://www.mhta.org/MHTA-newsletter.php

–Harnessing the Power of Biomass Energy in the Midwest. The Midwest’s abundant agricultural and forestry biomass residuals have the potential to provide new opportunities for economic development, energy security, and environmental conservation. “Harnessing the Power of Biomass Residuals: Opportunities and Challenges for Midwestern Renewable Energy,” The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ newest Heartland Paper, http://tinyurl.com/24rchpy examines these opportunities and identifies key challenges limiting current biomass energy technologies. The report concludes with a framework for making better use of these residuals in the region.

– FEDERAL FUNDS.  This product contains information from the Census Bureau’s Consolidated Federal Funds Reports on Federal expenditures and obligations for grants, salaries and wages, procurements, direct payments, direct loans, guaranteed loans, and insurance obtained from Federal Government agencies. ERS screens the data for each Federal program for accuracy at the county level and then presents the data by function and type of program for each county and State. Data for fiscal 2010 are now available.  See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FederalFunds/

–THE CHANGING ORGANIZATION OF U.S. FARMING.  Innovations in farm organization, business arrangements, and production practices have allowed farmers to produce more with less. Fewer labor hours and less land are used today than 30 years ago, and practices such as the use of genetically engineered seeds and no-till have dampened increases in machinery, fuel, and pesticide use. Likely aided by the increased use of risk management tools such as contracts and crop insurance, U.S. agricultural productivity has increased by nearly 50 percent since 1982. Future innovations will be necessary to maintain, or boost, current productivity gains in order to meet the growing global demands that will be placed upon U.S. agriculture.  See http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB88/

– A front-line perspective on the economic health of low- to moderate-income communities.  The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has released the results of a new survey designed to provide a read on the economic health of the Ninth Federal Reserve District’s low- to moderate-income (LMI) communities.  A total of 335 community organizations serving more than 180 cities and townships took part in the Ninth District Community Insight Survey that was piloted in second quarter 2011.  For an in-depth analysis of the information provided by respondents, including state-level comparisons and an LMI Economic Index, http://tinyurl.com/br2osf5

–
Report Examines Census Changes.
 Data from the 2010 Census show that rural areas in the Great Plains and Midwest continue to lose population, while smaller cities and metropolitan areas continue to expand.  http://www.cfra.org/node/3695

– Workshop materials from Utilizing Data to Manage Neighborhood Change, a daylong exploration of using data to stabilize neighborhoods and serve them better, are now available at:
 http://tinyurl.com/c84d5gm

Compiled and edited by Deb Miller Slipek & Ann Treacy

Editors’ Note: We’re publishing a shorter issue this month but wanted to get the info below out on time! We hope to have a jam-packed issue for the year-end in December and as we enter our tenth year of publishing these missives, we want to thank all the past and current supporters of Minnesota Rural Partners. MRP is all volunteer now but we’ll keep publishing the Round-Up as long as folks think it’s useful.

IN THIS ISSUE:

–Funding

–Training/Meetings

–Opportunities

–Miscellaneous

FUNDING

– The Minnesota Department of Health announces the 2011 Minnesota e-Health Connectivity Grant Program for Health Information Exchange (HIE).  This program will help health care providers, hospitals and pharmacies in rural and underserved areas build HIE capacity and achieve HIE capability. Grant awards range up to $10,000. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated on a first come, first served basis. Visit the Minnesota e- Health Connect webpage for more information on this new funding opportunity include the Program Guidance and Grant Application

–Seed Grant Funding Available for Community-Based Clean Energy Projects Across Minnesota.  CERTs seeks to provide seed grants to support the labor costs for clean energy projects, spurring community development and supporting local jobs in Minnesota.  Project proposals should be for a community-based energy efficiency or renewable energy project, that also provides a forum for community education about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and their economic, ecological and community benefits.  Since 2006, CERTs has funded more than 150 projects ranging from energy efficiency for city-owned buildings to solar power for schools, from on-farm wind power to renewably-heated greenhouses, and much more. Past projects can be seen at http://projects.mncerts.org, and case studies can be read at http://casestudies.mncerts.org.

CERTs offers many tools and resources to help you plan your project. Proposals must be submitted no later than November 15th, 2011 at 5:00pm.  Visit http://rfp.mncerts.org to learn more and apply.

– HUD has announced the availability of funds for Indian Tribes and nonprofits that serve Indian populations to develop and disseminate one or more sets of “lessons learned” that will inform Native American communities of the issues to be considered when taking on sustainable construction efforts.  Deadline:  11/15/2011.  To learn more and apply, control-click here.

–Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program solicits grant applications.  Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program is soliciting applications by November 18, 2011 for its 2012 annual grant cycle. Approximately $450,000 will be available for non-construction, construction and land acquisition projects that preserve, restore and enhance Minnesota’s coastal resources. 
Priority will be given to projects that focus on public access, coastal community planning and development, coastal hazards, coastal habitat and government coordination.

The Coastal Program preserves, protects, develops and, where possible, restores or enhances coastal resources along Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior.
Local and state governmental entities and nonprofit organizations working in the state’s coastal area, which includes portions of the lower St. Louis River, its estuary, Lake Superior and the North Shore, are eligible to apply.

In general, applicants are required to match 50 percent of the total project costs. Individual requests can vary, but no more than $100,000 per request will be awarded.

Grant funding is available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. Funds are administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  For more information, see:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/lakesuperior/grants.html or contact Karla Sundberg, grants specialist, at 218-834-1447 or karla.sundberg@state.mn.us

-Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 Palliative Care Rural Initiative Community Partner applications are due November 21.  Eligible applicants are community hospice organizations in VISN 23, which includes Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming (map).

This is an opportunity for community hospice organizations to enhance communication and coordination, and to streamline hospice services for veterans requiring end-of-life care.  Applicants are encouraged to implement one of the Reaching Out Program Models, which enhance end-of-life care to veterans in rural communities.  Complete information is online at https://secure.ruralcenter.org/visn/ or contact Sally Trnka at 218-727-9390, ext. 233 or strnka@ruralcenter.org.

–HUD is offering grants to nonprofit and public agencies for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building.  Grants will provide NSP recipients with the assessment tools and technical and capacity building assistance needed to fully understand their local market conditions, and to increase their capacity to successfully carry out federal assistance programs.  Deadline to apply:  11/21/2011.  To apply, control-click here.

–The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced the availability of funds for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.  Applications are due by 11/22/2011.  Approximately $19 million is available and projects will be awarded in 2012.  For more on this opportunity, control-click here.

–Minnesota Rural Flexibility (FLEX) Grant Program applications are due November 28.  Eligible applicants are rural hospitals with 50 or fewer beds, rural hospitals eligible to convert to Critical Access Hospital licensure, Critical Access Hospitals, rural health networks and rural EMS organizations.

This grant is intended to preserve access to needed health services and encourage collaboration and integration of rural community health systems. Grants may be used to develop community, network or strategic plans for preserving or enhancing access to health services. Grants may also be used for implementation activities in the following categories by applicants with completed plans or needs assessments: network development, health system improvements (diversification, new services, workforce development efforts, etc.), strengthening and integrating the EMS system; and quality improvement.  Complete information is online at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/index.html#flex or contact Judy Bergh at 651-201-3843 or judith.bergh@state.mn.us.

–THE EPA has several types of grants available for Brownfield site cleanup for nonprofits, Indian Tribes and public agencies.  Brownfields Assessment Grants provide funds for developing inventories of brownfields, prioritizing sites, conducting community involvement activities and conducting site assessments and cleanup planning.  Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grants are to capitalize a revolving fund and to make loans and provide subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites.  Brownfields Cleanup Grants are available to nonprofit and public agencies to empower states, communities, tribes and nonprofits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up and reuse brownfield sites.  Deadline to apply for all three grant opportunities is 11/28/2011.  For more information, control-click here.

–Sustainable Agriculture Grants from North Central Region SARE.  North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) offers competitive grants and educational opportunities for producers, scientists, educators, institutions, organizations and others exploring sustainable agriculture in America’s Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Two types of grants are currently available from NCR-SARE:

Farmer-Rancher Grants: for farmers and ranchers to carry out Sustainable Agriculture research, demonstration, and education projects on their farms. A total of approximately $400,000 is available for this program. Applications are due December 2, 2011.

Youth and Youth Educator Grants: Grants for on-farm research, demonstration, or education projects by youth ages 8-18 ($400 maximum), and grants for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth ($2,000 maximum). A total of $34,000 is available for this program. Applications are due January 12, 2012.

For more details, see: http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Types-of-Grants

–HUD is offering grants to nonprofits with at least five years of tenant outreach and organizing work to help building owners and tenants learn about tenant protection vouchers and programs to prevent the loss of project-based rental assistance for tenants.  Deadline:  12/6/2011.  To learn more, control-click here.

–The Housing Assistance Council is offering grants to affordable housing organizations to support activities that will build, preserve, or advocate for housing for low-income seniors (62 and older) living in rural areas.  Deadline to apply:  12/15/2011.  To learn more and download an application, control-click here.

–AMERICORPS has issued a NOFA for state and national grants for FY 2012 to nonprofits, public agencies and others for programs that can demonstrate community impact and solve community problems through an evidence-based approach.  Deadline:  Letter of Intent 12/15/2011 (optional); applications due 1/18/2012.  To learn more, go to the website here.

–J. JILL COMPASSION FUND is accepting pre-applications for 2012 grants to help disadvantaged and homeless women.  Funding priority is given to nonprofit programs and organizations that provide job training, education, and transitional and/or affordable housing to disadvantaged and homeless women.  Deadline:  12/21/2011.  To learn more, control-click here.

–HUD has funds available for the Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.  The program provides grants for a variety of community development, economic development and/or affordable housing projects in Indian and Alaska Native communities.  Deadline to apply:  1/4/2012.  To learn more, control-click here.

TRAINING/MEETINGS

– CFED will hold a webinar that presents new Assets & Opportunity Scorecard data on November 17, 2011 at 2:00 PM EST.  The webinar will also highlight trends in legislative changes in 2011.  To register, control-click here.  To get the updated Scorecard, control-click here.

OPPORTUNITIES

– The University of Minnesota’s Carlson Executive Education program is awarding ten scholarships for small Minnesota-based companies or nonprofit organizations. Each scholarship is valued at $3,500 and is intended to provide assistance to small companies and nonprofit organizations that need additional business knowledge to survive and thrive in the current tough economy. Scholarships will be awarded to those applicants who can best demonstrate the positive impact the scholarship will have upon their company or organization. They are for use in 2012. For more information or to apply, visit the Carlson School website.

–Request for Proposal is due November 16 for the purpose of conducting a needs assessment for a health clinic or other health care needs of the Tribal Population in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, with a focus and emphasis on White Earth Nation members. A report to the Legislature documenting the results of the assessment and providing recommendation is required. The draft report is due to the Minnesota Department of Health by February 22.

– Travel Marketing Award Nominations Accepted. Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2011 Tourism Marketing awards, presented by Explore Minnesota Tourism. The awards are intended to recognize significant achievement in the promotion of travel and tourism into and throughout the State of Minnesota. The awards are given annually at the Minnesota Conference on Tourism and will be presented on Tuesday, January 24, at the Kahler Grand Hotel in Rochester, Minnesota.

Competitive awards are presented each year to tourism businesses and organizations for outstanding tourism advertising projects and promotions. Competitive awards are presented in several categories, based on various media efforts.  Special recognition awards are presented to individuals and organizations in recognition of major and lasting contributions to the promotion of the Minnesota travel product or dedication to and development of the Minnesota travel industry.  Nomination forms must be submitted by Friday, November 25, 2011. For more information, contact Dave Bergman at 888-563-7777 or click:
http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/side1/events-conferences/2012-explore-minnesota-tourism-conference/.

–Request for Proposal is due November 28 to identify a survey vendor to collect CAHPS® Clinician and Group Survey (CG-CAHPS) data for a test of equivalency between the CG-CAHPS Visit version (CG-Visit) and a modified version of the new CG-CAHPS Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Survey (CG-PCMH) that includes the core questions from the CG-Visit version.

– InvestWrite Essay Competition.
The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Foundation (SIFMA) needs volunteers to score essays for its InvestWrite national student essay competition. Judging is done entirely online, with no phone calls or meetings. The foundation provides helpful instructions and support. Volunteer judges can make a difference in the lives of many students across the nation who will learn the importance of saving and investing for their futures.

– The Minnesota Department of Human Services currently has six Executive Pathways (paid) internship positions available for students (undergraduate[juniors/seniors], graduate and law students). The Executive Pathways program is a great opportunity for students because it provides abundant policy research and legal writing opportunities, exposure to agency development and opportunities to interact with upper level management. See: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/id_010465.

MISCELLANEOUS

– Resources for nonprofit evaluation can be found at: http://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/nonprofit-resources/management-hr/program-evaluation/resources-for-evaluation

– A New Information Home.  There is a new home for information on nonprofits. It is the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute. The Institute offers hundreds of topics under these headings: Management, Development, Organization, Resources and Regulation. Under each heading are multiple topics. I chose “volunteer programs” and there were 59 FAQs with many leading to another link. This is a good “first step” for anyone learning about the field.

– State Fact Sheets.  The ERS State Fact Sheets provide information on population, income, poverty, education, employment, federal funds, organic agriculture, farm characteristics, farm financial indicators, top commodities, and exports, for each State in the United States. Links to county-level data are included when available. The State Fact Sheets have been updated with measures of household-level food insecurity for States over time.  See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/

– Compass now has Twin Cities Neighborhood Profiles! Using recently-released data from the decennial census, the American Community Survey, and OnTheMap, Compass now has 115 profiles, chock-full of data and trends on housing, employment, household income, and many others, for each of the neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and selected larger communities.

– The White House Rural Council: Feedback from Rural America is available.  The document provides an overview of the challenges and the opportunities rural Americans have voiced during the White House Rural Council’s visits to rural communities.  To get a copy, control-click here.

– Being Active in Your Community is a Cornerstone to Good Health, is a growing national trend in resident-powered comprehensive community development, according to an article from The Institute for Comprehensive Community Development.  In this approach, resident leaders join with professionals to determine a course for community improvement and then work as partners in achieving that vision.  To read the full article, control-click here.

– More Poor Kids in More Poor Places is a report from the Carsey Institute that indicates that since the onset of the recession, poverty levels in persistent child poverty counties have sharply increased.  The authors comment that the overwhelming urban focus of welfare programs means policymakers often overlook needy families in rural areas.  To read more, click here.

– Stock Market Game
Sponsored by the SIFMA Foundation, this online game simulates global capital markets for students in fourth grade through high school. The game introduces students to economics, investing, and personal finance. The goal is to help students become financially independent.

–Direct and Intermediate Marketing of Local Foods in the United States. This study uses nationally representative data on marketing of local foods to assess the relative scale of local food marketing channels. This research documents that sales through intermediated marketing channels, such as farmers’ sales to local grocers and restaurants, account for a large portion of all local food sales. Small and medium-sized farms dominate local foods sales marketed exclusively through direct-to-consumer channels (foods sold at roadside stands or farmers’ markets, for example) while large farms dominate local food sales marketed exclusively through intermediated channels. Farmers marketing food locally are most prominent in the Northeast and the West Coast regions and areas close to densely populated urban markets. Climate and topography favoring the production of fruits and vegetables, proximity to and neighboring farm participation in farmers’ markets, and good transportation and information access are found to be associated with higher levels of direct-to-consumer sales.  See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR128/

Compiled and edited by Deb Miller Slipek and Ann Treacy

Across the Field is taking a break this month to enjoy the extended summer we seem to be having…but we’re also glad to be having some much needed rain!

FUNDING

–HUD has funding available for Energy Innovation Fund Multifamily Pilot Program grants for CDFIs, nonprofits, for-profits and special purpose financing entities.  Deadline: 10/20/2011.  Projects should demonstrate financing or applied research showing innovative approaches to increase energy efficiency at existing multifamily properties.  http://tinyurl.com/66d4xfb

–HUD is offering funding for three programs for homeless individuals: 1. Supportive Housing Program; 2. Section 8 SRO Moderate Rehabilitation; and 3. Shelter Plus Care.  Grants are available to nonprofits and public agencies for these programs.  Deadline:  10/28/2011.  http://tinyurl.com/67fcg9m

–The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is offering grants to rural nonprofits or health care entities working to plan a network to expand access to, coordinate and improve the quality of essential health care services and enhance the delivery of health care in rural areas through planning activities.  Deadline: 10/31/2011.  http://tinyurl.com/68gds5b

–Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program is online at: http://tinyurl.com/6y8ne6t State and local governments are eligible. 
Due date is 10/31/11.

– 2012 Organizational Partnership and Scenic Byway Grant Guidelines.  With recommendations from the Partnership Grant Task Force and input from the Tourism Council, a new partnership and scenic byway grant program has been established. Deadline for applications will be November 1, 2011. Go to: http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/side1/grants/ for more information.

–Health care delivery system demonstration proposals are due to the Minnesota Department of Human Services by the revised and extended deadline of November 4. http://tinyurl.com/4xxfjdr

–Youth Service America is offering grants of up to $1,000 to students, teachers, and staff members of community-based organizations working within a public K-12 school, or service learning coordinators, for service-learning projects in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  Deadline:  11/9/2011.  http://tinyurl.com/6y7ynqn

–Eleven top foundations, seven federal agencies and The National Endowment for the Arts have collaborated to establish ArtPlace, a nationwide initiative to accelerate creative placemaking through investments in art, culture and creativity to create vibrant communities.  To be considered for the next round of grants, a Letter of Inquiry is due by 11/15/2011.  http://www.artplaceamerica.org/loi/

–USDA has funding available to nonprofits for grants to plan or implement community food projects that improve health and/or nutrition among disadvantaged and/or low-income populations and communities.  Deadline:  11/17/2011.  http://tinyurl.com/5t9vwuf

–HRSA is offering funds to rural nonprofit and public agencies for the development of new and innovative health care delivery systems in rural communities that lack essential health care services.  Deadline to apply:  11/22/2011.  http://tinyurl.com/3ok49r4

–The Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) is pleased to announce the release of the FY 2012 Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program (announcement number: HRSA-12-083).  ORHP’s Outreach Program supports projects that demonstrate effective models of outreach and service delivery through collaboration, adoption of an evidence-based or promising practice model, demonstration of health outcomes, replicability and sustainability. Proposed projects will have an outcomes-oriented approach that will enhance and sustain the delivery of effective health care in rural communities by tracking specific health indicators that will demonstrate the impact of their project at the end of their grant period. They will be based on evidence-based or promising practice models in order to avoid “reinventing the wheel” and demonstrate health status improvement in rural communities. Proposed Outreach projects can take the framework of an evidence-based or promising practice model and tailor it to their community’s need and organization.  Applicants may propose funding for up to three (3) years from May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2015. The maximum award is up to $150,000 per year.  We expect to fund approximately 80 grantees.

• Link for Funding Opportunity Synopsis : http://tinyurl.com/686qaal
• Link to apply for Funding Opportunity: http://tinyurl.com/6cy7q3w

The deadline to submit an application in grants.gov is November 22, 2011. ORHP strongly recommends that applicants submit their applications prior to the due date to avoid any technological problems. All applications have to be submitted electronically in www.grants.gov. For further questions on this funding opportunity, please contact the program coordinator, Kathryn Umali, 301-443-7444, kumali@hrsa.gov

–Farmers and ranchers with innovative ideas for producing or marketing their crops or products may find funding through the SARE Farmer-Rancher Grants program. Proposals are due December 2, 2011 for up to $22,000.  Go to: http://www.cfra.org/node/3524 .  The North-Central Region Sustainable Ag Research and Education (NCSARE) Program expects to fund 45 farmer-led projects in 2012. These projects can address production, marketing, processing, environmental impacts, and community effects of farming and ranching. Projects would test or demonstrate a new idea and include a way of telling other farmers about it. This year the grant has a new category for partner-applicants. Individuals may apply for up to $7500, partners may ask for $15,000, and groups may ask for $22,500. Interested applicants can find the call for proposals as well as useful information for completing a proposal at: http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/. Assistance is available from grant coordinator Joan Benjamin at benjaminj@lincolnu.edu, 573.681.5545 or 800.529.1342.

–Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant applications are available now and due December 16. http://tinyurl.com/5ruq5qx

–NIH is offering grants to nonprofit and public agencies for innovative research to identify mechanisms of influence and/or promote positive sustainable health behaviors in children and youth.  Deadline:  Rolling.  http://tinyurl.com/5vloa6 

TRAINING/MEETINGS

– Broadband Pre-Conference Webinars Coming Up.  Leading up to the Fall Broadband Conference, the Blandin Foundation will be hosting a series of free webinars. In the past these sessions have been a great way to bone up on topics before the conference and/or a good taste of the type of topic that might come up at the conference. The first session starts next week. http://tinyurl.com/6a5cmma

Pre-Broadband Conference Webinar – Mobile Broadband – Is it enough? -Wednesday, October 19, 2011 – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. 
 Please register at:  https://blandinfoundation.ilinc.com/register/jjszfrm 

Pre-Broadband Conference Webinar – Public-private partnerships in broadband – Wednesday, October 26, 2011 – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. 
 Please register at: https://blandinfoundation.ilinc.com/register/wwvhkfv

Pre-Broadband Conference Webinar – Community Transformation via Technology- Wednesday, November 2, 2011 – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. 
 Please register at: https://blandinfoundation.ilinc.com/register/rrychss

  – The Governor’s Job Summit will be held Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel, St. Paul from
8 am – 5 pm, networking reception following from 5 – 7 pm.  Attendees can look forward to:

• Hearing Governor Dayton’s remarks on the priorities for Minnesota’s economy
• Panel discussion on what is needed to make Minnesota more globally competitive
• Breakout working sessions covering timely issues/topics
• Keynote presentation from Michael Mandelbaum, co-author of Thomas Friedman’s new book, “That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back” (book released September 5, 2011).

Register now at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com/summit

– Zoom In, Zoom Out with MCN and IABC.  Nonprofit communicators are asked to focus on details with the big picture in mind, while balancing long-term goals with here-and-now strategy.  You are invited to attend the 2011 Nonprofit Communicators Workshop Series, presented by MCN and the Minnesota Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Zoom In, Zoom Out: Focus Your Communications is a four-part series dedicated to helping you improve your perspective on crafting creative communications. http://mn.iabc.com/

What Comes After Click, Like, Follow?, October 25 http://tinyurl.com/6xxluhd

Un-Risky Business: Protecting Your Organization in the Online World, November 8 http://tinyurl.com/6x42wml

Making Mobile Meaningful and Manageable, November 29 http://tinyurl.com/64ok7ec

Creativity Lab: The Art and Science of Innovation, December 13 http://tinyurl.com/68rw79u

– Webinar: Supporting Rural Economic Vitality through Campus-Community Partnerships will be October 27, 2011 from1:00 – 2:30 PM.  For more information go to: http://ruraleconomies.eventbrite.com/

– Utilizing Data to Manage Neighborhood Change will be held Friday, October 28, 2011 from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.  Join with fellow community development practitioners, researchers, and policymakers for a daylong exploration of using data to stabilize neighborhoods and serve them better.  Featuring local and regional panelists discussing data collection and analysis efforts to better target neighborhood stabilization efforts; regional partnership efforts that use data to maximize and target scarce resources; and what you need to know about the perils, pitfalls, and costs of gathering and analyzing data.
 Registration link:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2286751736.  Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis 
and the University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. Questions? Contact Michael Grover, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Manager, at michael.grover@mpls.frb.org or 612-204-5172.

OPPORTUNITIES

–The East Central Regional Arts Council (East Central RAC) is hosting the 25th Annual IMAGE Regional Art Show. This is a judged art exhibition featuring the work of artists who live in Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine Counties.

Over 100 artists from these counties have entered the show! A variety of art work such as photography, sculpture, painting, drawing, ceramics, and mixed media will be on display. This exhibition is open to the public and is free of charge. The show will be open for viewing: Friday, October 14, from 7 to 9 pm (the opening of the show); Monday through Friday, October 17 – 21, from 10 am to 4 pm each day; and Saturday, October 22, from 10 am to noon. This will also be the open house for the new East Central RAC. The location is 112 Main Street South in Braham, MN.
 This event is made possible with funding provided by the East Central Arts Council and the East Central Regional Development Commission through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and The McKnight Foundation. For more information contact the East Central RAC at 320-396-2337, by email at info@ecrac.org

–Bigger, Better Broadband: a Video retrospective produced by you!

As a reminder, the Fall Broadband Conference is happening November 16-17 in Duluth. We’re working with Connect Minnesota. The conference will focus on the ARRA Broadband funding efforts that have been underway in Minnesota.  To help highlight the great activity in the state, we’re doing something kind of fun – a film fest! And we’re inviting folks around the state to submit videos… http://tinyurl.com/44qgnxg

The Blandin Foundation is looking for video shorts (less than 10 minutes) on bigger better broadband in Minnesota to showcase at a Broadband Film Festival!

The Film Festival will be part of the 2011 broadband conference: Policy and Progress: Border to Border Broadband, November 16-17. The Film Festival will take place on November 17 from 5:00-9:00 pm at the Zeitgeist small theater in Duluth, Minnesota. The Festival will feature video, food and fun.

We are looking for locally developed videos to showcase what’s happening in broadband adoption, deployment and/or policy in Minnesota. We leave the creativity up to you – we will be showing as many of the best videos intermingled with “broadband classics” as time allows at the Festival.

Here are the details:

• What: We seek videos shorter than 10 minutes that relate to broadband in Minnesota.
• How: Please upload your videos and send a note with your name, contact info, and link to the video to broadband@blandinfoundation.org. Email questions to kpeterson@kpgrants.com

• Where: Please upload to YouTube, Vimeo or other online video sharing site
• Who: Anyone in Minnesota is invited to submit a video
• Why: Because we want to learn about bigger, better broadband in Minnesota from the people who experience it and there are prizes!
• When: Submissions will be accepted until November 1.

Small print: Please do not submit videos that include adult content or language. Please respect copyright and do not include material that is not yours (that includes background music).

–Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED) Scholarships
 Scholarships to rural America’s most accomplished and intelligent students. Application deadline: February 13, 2012 http://tinyurl.com/3c3jxlt

MISCELLANEOUS

–RURAL AMERICA AT A GLANCE, 2011 EDITION.  Rural America At A Glance, 2011 Edition highlights the most recent indicators of social and economic conditions in rural areas for use in developing policies and programs to assist rural areas. This year’s edition focuses on the U.S. rural economy, including employment trends, poverty, education, and population trends.  See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB85/

– Disturbing Trends for Minnesota in New Census Bureau Report.  Poverty and income gaps between whites and communities of color in Minnesota are widening, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released today. The Census’ American Community Survey showed that Minnesota’s poverty rate has increased significantly. The figures also showed that median incomes are dropping in Minnesota, and the decline is particularly dramatic for communities of color. http://tinyurl.com/4yk5j2k

– Rural Income, Poverty, and Welfare. This briefing room offers a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and data on rural Americans’ income, poverty and welfare.  See: http://tinyurl.com/3jrbdc6

–State Fact Sheets.  The ERS State Fact Sheets provide information on population, income, poverty, education, employment, federal funds, organic agriculture, farm characteristics, farm financial indicators, top commodities, and exports, for each State in the United States. Links to county-level data are included when available. The State Fact Sheets have been updated with 2010 farm financial indicators and top agricultural commodities.  See: http://wwwers.usda.gov/StateFacts/

– Need a Passport Soon? Minneapolis Passport Agency Can Help.  For anyone experiencing an urgent passport need, the U.S. Department of State operates a passport agency in Minneapolis that can process an application in five business days or fewer. To make an appointment, call 1-877-4USAPPT (877-487-2778). There is a $60 expedite fee, which includes USPS Priority Mail. If your travel is more urgent, you may request Will Call service (you or your rep picking up the passport in person), but then you must show proof of departure, such as a reservation, itinerary, or ticket. Please share this information with your business community, schools and others that plan international travel. The Minneapolis Passport Agency is located at 212 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis 55401 (across the street from the Depot Hotel). The director is Foreign Service Officer Robert DeWitt.

– High-Speed Rail for the Midwest.  The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Global Midwest Initiative has released a Global Midwest Policy Brief titled “High-Speed Rail for the Midwest.”  Richard Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association and author of the Policy Brief, describes the proposals and funds for rail upgrades available today and outlines the benefits of a complete high-speed rail network in the Midwest.  He argues that the decades-old transportation infrastructure of the Midwest puts the region at a disadvantage when competing in the global economy with other regions in Europe and Asia that have invested in more advanced rail systems.

Global Midwest Policy Briefs http://tinyurl.com/3qzn9kk frame and analyze pressing issues facing the Midwest in the global era and offer recommendations on how to best move forward. The briefs are concise documents that are released as part of the Global Midwest Initiative. This is the sixth brief in the series.  View a PDF copy of High-Speed Rail for the Midwest. http://tinyurl.com/3pvc6cu

–TANF in Rural America: Informing Re-authorization 
Compares rural-urban differences in rates of poverty and welfare receipt. Suggests ways to improve TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) to reduce its limitations for rural families and help bring them out of poverty levels. http://tinyurl.com/3qj4t24

–Jobs and Economic Security for Rural America 
Highlights programs and policies the current administration has implemented in rural America to support economic growth and job creation. Discusses the White House Rural Council which was developed to accelerate the ongoing work of promoting economic growth in rural America and which focuses on spurring agricultural innovation, expanding infrastructure, increasing access to capital in rural areas for small businesses, and creating economic opportunities through conservation and outdoor recreation. http://tinyurl.com/3cw6y52

–HUD is seeking comments on a proposal to designate communities as Safe and Healthy Homes Investment Partnerships (SHHIP).  SHHIP communities could receive bonus points in future HUD NOFAs.  To read the Federal Register notice, control

Compiled and edited by Deb Miller Slipek and Ann Treacy

ACROSS THE FIELD – Minnesota Community Pride Day at the Minnesota State Fair on September 3^rd was a GREAT SUCCESS! Take a look: http://www.theuptake.org/2011/08/29/live-at-the-fair-minnesota-community-pride-day/  Congrats to all the Showcase Communities!

FUNDING

Indian Health Grant applications are due September 30. http://tinyurl.com/3dfb7pb

Community Clinic Grant pre-applications are due October 7. http://tinyurl.com/6kq9omw

Minnesota’s Loan Forgiveness applications are due December 1. http://tinyurl.com/m8ge2y

–The Federal Transit Administration is offering funding to Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities for funding to support planning, capital and operating assistance for Tribal public transit services.  Deadline:  9/26/2011.  For more information, http://tinyurl.com/625zkj5

–Youth Service America and United Healthcare are offering grants of $500 to $1,000 to schools, service-learning coordinators, and nonprofits for programs that demonstrate a clear understanding of the health risks associated with childhood obesity; propose creative solutions to fighting obesity; and can be easily implemented, scaled, and measured.  Deadline to apply:  10/17/2011.  For details and to apply, http://tinyurl.com/5wcys9k

–The Otto Bremer Foundation Announces New Schedule for Grant Proposal Consideration. http://tinyurl.com/69rwqw7 The Otto Bremer Foundation http://www.ottobremer.org/ recently announced a new schedule for grant proposal consideration. Proposals from the Twin Cities metro area will be considered in two of the Foundation’s six grant rounds a year; requests from all other Bremer communities will be considered during the other four grant cycles. December 2, 2011, is the deadline for applications for the March 2012 Twin Cities grant round.  For more information go to: www.bremer.com

TRAINING/MEETINGS

–Webinar: Using the Community Capitals Framework to Understand and Measure Community Impact will be Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from 2:00-3:00 PM.  Do you want to better understand and report the impact that your campus-community partnerships are having on the quality of life in your community?  Are you looking for a way to show how individual partnerships complement each other and contribute to plans to achieve greater overall community and institutional goals?

Community Capitals is a framework that facilitates planning for and measuring community or organizational change.  It is currently used around the world by community development practitioners and by researchers of asset-based development.  Cornelia B. Flora, one of the originators of this framework, will present the concepts of natural, cultural, human, social, political, financial and built capital and how they work together to sustain healthy ecosystems, economic security, and social well-being. To register, http://communitycapitals.eventbrite.com/

–Webinar: Innovations in Green Microenterprise Development in Rural Communities will be Wednesday, September 28th at 2:00 pm EDT.  Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/682715393

Established by The Conservation Fund with a lead grant from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, ShadeFund enables individuals, companies and foundations to help green entrepreneurs across America grow their businesses and create jobs. Tax deductible contributions to ShadeFund are pooled and lent to qualified small green businesses nationwide. As entrepreneurs repay their loans, those same dollars are recycled to help other entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

– Northern Regional Broadband Networks Forum: Driving Business Development and Innovation will be held Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Duluth Downtown Conference Center.

– Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Annual Conference Great Expectations: Our Community, Our Future, http://www.greatexpectations2011.org/ will be held October 6-7 in St. Paul. Registration is now open.  http://tinyurl.com/3mtrrqf

– Forecast Public Art Grant Workshop – Thursday, October 6, 2011, from 5 to 7 pm at the East Central RAC office. Forecast Public Art provides grants that give artists the chance to develop and create public art projects. In addition, the East Central Regional Arts Council, through Forecast Public Art, is supporting artists, and civic and community organizations in the planning and implementation of public art projects in the region.

The grant workshop for this program will provide an overview to the field of public art, facilitate brainstorming sessions, and will introduce the Forecast Public Art application process.  The workshop will be held at the new East Central Regional Arts Council office, 112 Main Street South in Braham.  This Forecast/East Central Regional Arts Council grant program supports public art projects located in Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs or Pine Counties.

This workshop is being held at no charge but please register in advance by calling 320.396.2337 – get more info at http://www.ecrac.org.

For more information on Forecast Public Art and the annual grant program please visit the website at http://www.forecastpublicart.org/grants-program-info.php

–Annual Conference on Policy Analysis – Defining the Public Good: What is the Role of Government in Minnesota?, will be October 12 at the University of Minnesota College of Continuing Education. http://tinyurl.com/653s4ef

– The 25th Annual Minnesota Venture & Finance Conference will be held on October 12-13 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  For more information go to:     http://tinyurl.com/6zdoes4

–Rural Economic & Wellness Regional Symposium is a free virtual conference October 13. http://tinyurl.com/3mq6fuf

  –Governor Dayton’s Job Summit 2011 will be held October 24-25 in St. Paul.  This will be the 16^th Annual Development Conference.

– Webinar: Supporting Rural Economic Vitality through Campus-Community Partnerships will be October 27, 2011 from1:00 – 2:30 PM.  For more information go to:  http://ruraleconomies.eventbrite.com/

OPPORTUNITIES

–Scholarship program benefiting Minnesota businesses returns.  Carlson Executive Education is awarding 10 scholarships, valued at up to $3,500 each, to Minnesota-based small businesses, nonprofit organizations and entrepreneurs who best articulate how their organization could overcome challenges or capitalize on opportunities by acquiring new knowledge and skills.  The scholarships can be used to explore a variety of topics taught at the Carlson School including finance, marketing, operations, strategy, leadership and personal performance improvement.

Scholarship winners will be able to attend one of Carlson Executive Education’s open enrollment programs, which typically consist of two or three days of instruction. The scholarship is available for small companies or nonprofits that have fewer than 100 employees, as well as individual entrepreneurs.  Visit http://tinyurl.com/6xv6f3e for more information or to apply online. The deadline for scholarship applications is Dec. 9.  Additional information is available from Steve Rudolph, Carlson School of Management, skr@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8770.

–Be a MN Office of Rural Health and Primary Care grant reviewer. Please contact Doug Benson at doug.benson@state.mn.us or 651-201-3842 or Cindy LaMere at cindy.lamere@state.mn.us or 651-201-3852 with your name, profession, place of employment and contact information.

MISCELLANEOUS

–Travel Widget Feature Can Add Explore Minnesota Info to your Website.  Explore Minnesota Tourism’s new travel information widget builder, launched in June, it allows Minnesota tourism businesses and organizations to easily add to their websites custom-built Minnesota travel information features, leveraging the power of exploreminnesota.com to serve their visitors. The information is pulled from the listings on exploreminnesota.com, and can appear as a narrow sidebar on a website page, or as more detailed, full-width version on single or multiple pages within a website. Each widget can be customized to display lodging, attractions, or upcoming events, for any particular city or region in the state.

This free tool was developed so communities and tourism businesses can offer visitors to their own websites expanded information of interest to Minnesota travelers. It also broadens the audience for the listings on the Explore Minnesota website, and increases awareness of this detailed travel website. Though the feature was developed for the tourism industry, it’s available to anyone who wants to include selected Minnesota travel information on their website.  Instructions and tips are provided online at www.exploreminnesota.com/feedbuilder.

–NEW report!  Health Status of Rural Minnesotans is on the Rural Health Advisory Committee website. http://tinyurl.com/6deeppa

–A new website, http://www.creatingruralwealth.org/ has been launched which is devoted to sharing the Wealth Creation in Rural Communities framework.  In addition, a new publication has also been released, Learning Journey Debriefing: Emerging ChangeMakers Network visits Coastal Enterprises, Inc.   Its focus is sharing perspectives on connecting with motivated investors, picking good investments, balancing running businesses as well as funding them, and strategies for targeting loans and nurturing investments with a triple-bottom line approach.  To read the report, http://tinyurl.com/67kmp7k

– Toolkit for Recruiting and Supporting Job-Seeking Volunteers. http://tinyurl.com/6y8ydex Check out the new toolkit on supporting job seekers http://tinyurl.com/5tkdhad as volunteers from the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA). http://tinyurl.com/5tkdhad The toolkit is packed full of ideas on how to maximize the benefits of job seekers as volunteers for both the volunteer and the organization. As volunteering becomes an increasingly important means for job seekers to gain skills for employability and as organizations are seeing a growth in job seekers volunteers, this toolkit, developed through a project funded by the Initiative Foundation http://www.ifound.org/ shares successful strategies developed by organizations in Central Minnesota.

– MN Angel Network Takes Off.  After two years of development, organizers are launching the Minnesota Angel Network.  MNAN http://mnan.org/ is a non-profit designed to help accelerate business growth among knowledge-based companies in Minnesota.  It is not a fund and will not conduct due diligence, but rather become a first stop to help entrepreneurs become more effective in landing investments.  Read more about MNAN. http://tinyurl.com/6l5uq3g

–Using GPS to Build Business.  One of the most fun and user-friendly features about today’s GPS devices is the ability to look up restaurants, hotels, attractions, and more that are near your location. It makes life easier for the GPS user and more profitable for listed destinations. But not every destination is listed.

That means while listed destinations can expect a stream of GPS-driven traffic, those who don’t show up on the increasingly ubiquitous devices are missing out. So what can you do to increase your odds of showing up on GPS devices? It’s easy . . . get a D-U-N-S number. It’s a free, simple way you can help ensure maximum traffic. For the process to secure a DUNS number go to http://tinyurl.com/6a6sasj

– Impacts of Higher Energy Prices on Agricultural and Rural Economies.  Agricultural production is sensitive to changes in energy prices, either through energy consumed directly or through energy-related inputs such as fertilizer. A number of factors can affect energy prices faced by U.S. farmers and ranchers, including developments in the oil and natural gas markets, and energy taxes or subsidies. Climate change policies could also affect energy prices as a result of taxes on emissions, regulated emission limits, or the institution of a market for emission reduction credits. Here we review the importance of energy in the agricultural sector and report the results of a case study on the economic implications for the farm sector of energy price increases that would arise from plausible, constructed greenhouse-gas-emission reduction scenarios. Higher energy-related production costs would generally lower agricultural output, raise prices of agricultural products, and reduce farm income, regardless of the reason for the energy price increase. Nonetheless, farm sector impacts were modest for the scenarios and time periods examined. We demonstrate the unique distribution of effects resulting from price (or cost) increases for different types of energy due to pricing their carbon content, as well as the relative use of energy in production of different agricultural commodities. See http://tinyurl.com/6663vz5

–The Ethanol Decade: An Expansion of U.S. Corn Production, 2000-09.  The recent 9-billion-gallon increase in corn-based ethanol production, which resulted from a combination of rising gasoline prices and a suite of Federal bioenergy policies, provides evidence of how farmers altered their land-use decisions in response to increased demand for corn. As some forecasts had suggested, corn acreage increased mostly on farms that previously specialized in soybeans. Other farms, however, offset this shift by expanding soybean production. Farm-level data reveal that the simultaneous net expansion of corn and soybean acreage resulted from a reduction in cotton acreage, a shift from uncultivated hay to cropland, and the expansion of double cropping (consecutively producing two crops of either like or unlike commodities on the same land within the same year). See http://tinyurl.com/3lqn4uo

–Food Spending Adjustments during Recessionary Times.  During the 2007-09 recession, inflation-adjusted food expenditures by U.S. households fell 5.0 percent—the largest decrease in at least 25 years. Spending patterns differed by income level, with middle-income households curbing expenditures the most. Households responded to the recession by cutting back on eating out and by economizing on grocery purchases. See: http://tinyurl.com/3ruh6fh

Why Another Food Commodity Price Spike?  Large and rapid increases have occurred in many food commodity prices during 2010-2011. Many of the long-term trends and short-run shocks contributing to the current price surge also played a role in previous price spikes. The 2010-11 price surge followed the 2007-08 spike and raised concerns about food security and a possible shift in fundamental world agricultural supply and demand relationships.  See:  http://tinyurl.com/6x3kqjy

AMBER WAVES, SEPTEMBER 2011, VOL. 9, NO. 3   Amber Waves presents the broad scope of ERSs research and analysis. The magazine covers the economics of agriculture, food and nutrition, the food industry, trade, rural America, and farm-related environmental topics. Available on the Internet and in print, Amber Waves is issued in print four times a year (March, June, September, and December). The Internet edition, or eZine, includes links to web-only resources, such as podcasts and additional articles. See: http://tinyurl.com/65q5abc

–How to Do It.  The Institute for Comprehensive Community Development has gathered templates, case studies, handbooks, training videos and other resources for people engaged in community development, and they are offering all of these resources on their website. http://tinyurl.com/65e7dff

–The RUPRI Rural Futures Lab has published a paper called “Transitioning to Renewable Energy: Development Opportunities and Concerns for Rural America.”  The paper explores the benefits and drawbacks of the current energy system and renewable energy. http://tinyurl.com/66soo8b

–The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book on America’s Children, America’s Challenge: Promoting Opportunity for the Next Generation.  The book examines the impact of recent economic hardship on children and demonstrates why it matters to have children reach their full potential.  You can download a free copy http://tinyurl.com/3lj28b3

–PolicyLink has published Healthy Food – Healthy Communities a report to help advocates, policymakers, community-based organizations, residents, and other stakeholders replicate and create successful models for ensuring that all communities have access to healthy food and the wide range of benefits it brings.  To get a copy, http://tinyurl.com/6ermjjw

 –ACROSS THE FIELD

–FUNDING

–TRAININGS/MEETINGS

–MISCELLANEOUS

Across the Field – A Busy Summer: Rural Wealth Creation & Minnesota Community Pride!

– The Rural Urban Connections Project Report is completed. It reflects nearly 2 years of study and action by staff and volunteers with Minnesota Rural Partners on rural urban interdependency and innovative connections for rural wealth creation. Researcher Kate Searls and former MRP president Jane Leonard most recently presented findings at the 2011 Community Development Society and Rural Sociological Society annual meeting in Boise, ID last month. Kate will be presenting it again at the Rural Wealth Creation and Livelihoods National Conference in October in Washington, D. C., organized by the USDA Economic Research Service and the Ford Foundation.

Go to http://www.minnesotaruralpartners.org to review the overview and accompanying reports on rural and urban interdependency that show how understanding and leveraging this social and economic dynamic could be a keystone of improved job readiness and job creation in Minnesota.

At the website you can also see the 1968 speech on rural urban balance and economic prosperity by Orville Freeman, former Minnesota Governor and former USDA Secretary of Agriculture under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.  This speech was the inspiration behind the Rural Urban Connections project. Many thanks to Mrs. Jane Freeman for sharing it with all of us here at MRP several years back. Secretary Freeman’s words remain fresh, relevant, and inspiring for today’s challenges and opportunities. You can read the speech at http://mnruralpartners.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/freeman-rural-urban-balance-speech-1968.docx  (It takes a few more seconds than usual to load…so be patient.)

–Showcase Your Community Pride! Thirty entrants have been selected to display their work in-person at Minnesota Community Pride Day at the Minnesota State Fair on September 3rd. Minnesota Community Pride Day will feature conversations about ways fellow Minnesotans are working to improve community life, great live music performances, and opportunities to hear from and engage with state newsmakers.  For more information about the 2011 Minnesota Community Pride Showcase, go to this site. http://www.incommons.org/MCPS

FUNDING

–USDA’s Rural Housing Service has announced funding for Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants to nonprofit and public agencies to assist very low and low income homeowners to repair and rehabilitate their homes.  Deadline:  8/22/2011.  To learn more and to apply, control-click here. http://tinyurl.com/6yxwskz

–HUD has issued a NOFA for the 2011 HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program for small communities to replace unused commercial space in the central business core or “Main Street” with affordable housing units.  Deadline to Apply:  8/22/2011.  For more information, http://tinyurl.com/3k8wpef

–USDA has announced funding for Sections 514, 515, and 516 Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration Programs for rural housing authorities and property owners for grants for projects that will preserve and revitalize existing rural rental housing and improve farmworker-occupied housing.  Deadline:  8/22/2011.  To apply, http://tinyurl.com/6ae5usc

–Funds Available for Value-Added Producer Grants.  Applications are being accepted for grants to provide economic assistance to independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program. http://tinyurl.com/oxec7  Minnesota farmers and ranchers have been awarded almost $13 million in Value-Added grants since 2003. Application deadline is August 29, 2011. For further details about eligibility rules and application procedures, see the June 28, 2011, Federal Register. http://tinyurl.com/3sqlcp2

Value-Added Producer Grants may be used for feasibility studies or business plans, working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy projects. Eligible applicants include independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and agricultural producer groups. Value-added products are created when a producer increases the consumer value of an agricultural commodity in the production or processing stage.

Examples of previous Value-Added grants in Minnesota include the processing and marketing of organic beef, design and packaging of milk products, developing new markets for pork products, marketing new health food snacks, introducing new varieties of apples, wind farms, ethanol and bio-diesel plants and marketing compost products.       To learn more about Value-Added Producer Grants, contact a Rural Development specialist in your region. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn/offices.htm

–HUD has announced funding for the Self-Help Ownership Opportunity (SHOP) Program for national or regional non-profits to encourage home ownership through “sweat equity” affordable housing development or rehabilitation.  Deadline:  9/6/2011.  For more information, http://tinyurl.com/3z4h5u8

–Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grant applications are available and due September 19. http://tinyurl.com/3lcd3xy

–Indian Health Grant applications are due September 30. http://tinyurl.com/3dfb7pb

–THE LAURA JANE MUSSER FUND’s Rural Initiative program wants to encourage collaborative and participatory efforts among citizens in rural communities that will help to strengthen their towns and regions in a number of civic areas including, but not limited to, economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education. Complete proposal packets must be postmarked to the Musser Fund office by November 9, 2011. Funding decisions will be announced February 2012. Check out the program and  application details at: http://musserfund.org or contact Mary Karen Lynn-Klimenko, Grants Program Manager, 612-825-2024, ljmusserfund@earthlink.net

–Minnesota’s Loan Forgiveness applications are due December 1. http://tinyurl.com/m8ge2y

** Please NOTE – The final Minnesota State Budget reflects changes to MN Office of Rural Health and Primary Care ORHPC GRANT and LOAN PROGRAMS http://tinyurl.com/dgu4bp
  • Minnesota’s “designated rural area” definition was amended for the Loan Forgiveness Programs http://tinyurl.com/m8ge2y from outside the seven-county metro to “an area defined as a small rural area or isolated rural area according to the four category classifications of the Rural Urban Commuting Area system developed for the United States Health Resources and Services Administration.” (MN Statute 144.1501, subd. 1 http://tinyurl.com/3l9atxd ).  Map (PDF: 535KB/1pg) More on Rural and Urban Commuting Areas (RUCA) is on the ORHPC website. http://tinyurl.com/3k42ufb
• The Donated Dental Services Program, the Health Careers Promotion Grant and the Migrant Health Grant were eliminated. The Summer Health Care Intern Program is not funded for fiscal year 2012-2013, but may be available in 2014.

TRAINING/MEETINGS

– South West/West Central Volunteer Connections – A Presentation and Discussion on the Leadership Demands of Rural Communities and Implications for Small Town Organizations & Volunteers will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2011 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Bremer Bank,  500 Willmar Avenue SE; Willmar.  Ben Winchester, Research Fellow with the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality, will be our guest to share his thoughts and research on what it takes to run and maintain the organizations that comprise our small town infrastructure; many of these organizations rely on volunteers and volunteer leaders to make things happen.  There is no charge for this event, but space is limited.  Please RSVP SW/WC Volunteer Connections Chair, Sharon Mace at sjsmace@yahoo.com

– Northern Regional Broadband Networks Forum: Driving Business Development and Innovation will be held Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Duluth Downtown Conference Center.

– Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Annual Conference Great Expectations: Our Community, Our Future, http://www.greatexpectations2011.org/ will be held October 6-7 in St. Paul. Registration is now open.  http://tinyurl.com/3mtrrqf

–Rural Economic & Wellness Regional Symposium is a free virtual conference October 13. http://tinyurl.com/3mq6fuf

  –Governor Dayton’s Job Summit 2011 will be held October 24-25 in St. Paul.  This will be the 16^th Annual Development Conference.

MISCELLANEOUS

–The Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America is a mapping application that provides a spatial interpretation of county-level, economic and social conditions along four broad categories of socioeconomic factors: people (using newly released data on population size, race and ethnicity, and immigration from the 2010 Decennial Census and other demographic data from the American Community Survey, including age, race and ethnicity, migration and immigration, education, household size and family composition), jobs (using economic data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources, including information on employment trends, unemployment, industrial composition, and household income), agriculture (using indicators from the 2007 Census of Agriculture, including number and size of farms, operator characteristics, off-farm income, and government payments), and county classifications (using typologies such as the rural-urban continuum, economic dependence, persistent poverty, population loss, and other ERS county codes). Maps are interactive and also provided for download; raw data are provided for download. Data from the 2010 Census have been recently added. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/ruralatlas/

–The FCC has released Bringing Broadband to Rural America: Update to Report on a Rural Broadband Strategy. The report confirms the need to continue the Administration’s comprehensive investments and policy framework to ensure that rural communities and tribal nations receive the same access to the economic, educational, health care and public safety opportunities and services that broadband delivers in urban communities. http://tinyurl.com/66na4rl

–The Role of Public Safety in Community Development.  This report discusses the results of safety initiatives that organizations have incorporated into community development projects across the country. http://www.instituteccd.org/library/2730

–Land Bank Authorities: A Guide for the Creation and Operation of Local Land Banks, written by Emory law professor Frank Alexander, is a guide for community leaders and public officials on how to take control of problem properties in order to meet community needs.  This free book shows how unoccupied land and buildings can be a potential resource for economic recovery through community development and strengthening real estate markets. http://tinyurl.com/3mqwuhj

–The New Way Forward: Collaborations and Partnerships for Greater Efficiency and Impact is a paper that examines strategies for cross-sector collaboration, the federal government’s policy agenda, and how to coordinate these resources.  The authors offer a tri-sector (government, business, and social) approach to problem solving, and include models for collaboration and case studies. http://tinyurl.com/3lbubva

–Financial Matters Initiative BestPrep, in partnership with the Foundation for Financial Planning and the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, sponsor the Financial Matters Initiative. The goal is to educate Minnesota students on the importance of managing money wisely. Four interactive PowerPoint presentations—Money Matters, Budgeting Matters, Credit Matters, and Investing Matters—are available to financial services volunteers willing to use the slides in Minnesota classrooms. The presentations have been developed and tested with input from financial planners and teachers. http://tinyurl.com/3txbo3f

–Today's soaring farmland values have boosted farm wealth and driven the U.S. farm balance sheet to its strongest level since the 1970s farm boom. If farmland values were to fall sharply, as they did in the farm crisis of the 1980s, both farm balance sheets and farm wealth could suffer, especially for farmers with high levels of non-real estate debt. The Main Street Economist explores the effects of the falling farmland values on farm balance sheets, wealth and insolvency.  Read the full report at: http://tinyurl.com/3c7ktmo

–Grassland to Cropland Conversion in the Northern Plains: The Role of Crop Insurance, Commodity and Disaster Programs.  Native grasslands in the U.S. Northern Plains, particularly those located in the Prairie Pothole Region, are excellent breeding habitat for migratory birds. The conversion of grassland to crop production could damage this habitat and affect bird populations. We focus on three questions: How fast are grasslands being converted to cropland in the United States and especially in the Northern Plains? Can a temporary (5-year) ban on crop insurance purchase for converted grassland slow grassland to cropland conversion? More broadly, what has been the role of crop insurance and other farm programs in grassland to cropland conversion? We find that: (1) roughly 770,000 acres (1 percent) of 1997 rangeland acreage in the Northern Plains were converted to cultivated crops by 2007; (2) a 5-year ban on crop insurance purchase for converted grassland could slow but is unlikely to stop grassland to cropland conversion; and (3) the benefits of crop insurance, disaster assistance, and marketing loans increased cropland acreage by about 2.9 percent between 1998 and 2007. See: http://tinyurl.com/454qlts

–Why Have Food Commodity Prices Risen Again?  The report describes the factors that have contributed to the large and rapid increase in agricultural prices during the past year. The report focuses particularly on food commodity prices—which have risen 60 percent since June 2010. See: http://wwwers.usda.gov/Publications/WRS1103/

–The Effect of Food and Beverage Prices on Children’s Weights. One factor that may be important in explaining rising childhood obesity is food prices. This report explores the effect of food prices on children’s Body Mass Index (BMI) using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K) and the Quarterly Food-at-Home Price Database. On average, higher prices for soda, 100 percent juices, starchy vegetables, and sweet snacks are associated with lower BMIs among children. In addition, lower prices for dark green vegetables and lowfat milk are associated with reduced BMI. The effect of subsidizing healthy food may be just as large as raising prices of less healthy foods. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR118/

–Geographic Differences in the Relative Price of Healthy Foods.  Although healthy foods can be affordable, if less healthy foods are cheaper, individuals may have an economic incentive to consume a less healthful diet. Using the Quarterly Food-at-Home Price Database, we explore whether a select set of healthy foods (whole grains, dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, whole fruit, skim and 1% milk, fruit juice, and bottled water) are more expensive than less healthy alternatives. We find that not all healthy foods are more expensive than less healthy alternatives; skim and 1% milk are less expensive than whole and 2% milk and bottled water is generally less expensive than carbonated nonalcoholic drinks. We also find considerable geographic variation in the relative price of healthy foods. This price variation may contribute to geographic variation in diet and health outcomes. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB78/

–The Community Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has released a new issue of Community Dividend that features articles on community development impact measurement, the economic slowdown’s effects in Indian Country and recent changes to the Community Reinvestment Act rules.  To read more, visit Current Issue page or click on the headlines below:

—Measuring the impact of community development: A conversation with Paul Mattessich of Wilder Research Community Dividend speaks with Paul Mattessich, executive director of Wilder Research, about how to effectively and affordably measure the impact of community development work. http://tinyurl.com/3d3ac39

–Recent demographic data reveal effects of economic slowdown in Indian Country
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau confirm that economic trends on American Indian reservations in the Ninth District worsened or stagnated during the recent recession. http://tinyurl.com/3fvqpsl

• INNOVATIVE CONNECTIONS FOR RURAL WEALTH CREATION Final Report & Case Study August 2011
• Rural-Urban Connections and Job Readiness: Education and Workforce Development
• Pilot Study: Estimating Rural and Urban Minnesota’s Interdependencies
• Local and Regional Foods in Minnesota
• Rural Urban Balance – Whose Responsibilities – a 1968 speech by USDA Secretary Orville Freeman

Compiled and edited by Deb Miller Slipek & Ann Treacy, with minor assistance from volunteer Jane Leonard

–ACROSS THE FIELD

–FUNDING

–TRAINING/MEETINGS

–OPPORTUNITIES

–MISCELLANEOUS

Across the Field – Inspirations from July 4, 1776 — by guest writer, Jane Leonard

As of this writing, Minnesota State Government has been officially shut down for about 96 hours. As a Minnesotan growing up during the years of our state’s civic exceptionalism and innovation (when legislators and other leaders in different political parties still believed that the promise and progress of our state depended on all of us, no matter what political leanings, working and investing together), I am at a loss of words in how dysfunctional we have become.

I still firmly believe in the power of a democratic government to carry out the common good. But after 235 years of American government and 153 years of Minnesota government, I think we have forgotten why our founders willingly sacrificed so much for us. On this July 4, 2011, here’s a little reminder and hopefully some inspiration from those who began the great experiment in democracy:

– from the Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America, July 4, 1776: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these, are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. –That, to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed….And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protections of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honour.”

Wow! We mutually pledge –TO EACH OTHER — our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor, TO INSTITUTE A GOVERNMENT that secures our rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. We currently have no state government in Minnesota. We need to once again dig deep into our conscience and pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to commit again to the creation and support of an exceptional government – our government, our state, our country – a government that represents the best of each of us working together to secure the fair, decent, impressive Minnesota (and America) of which we and our ancestors can be proud.

In the meantime, communities across Minnesota are doing great things despite the shutdown challenges and the folks at InCommons, MinnPost, and the Minnesota State Fair have continued to organize preparations for the third annual Minnesota Community Pride Showcase at the Minnesota State Fair. There’s still time to enter your community in the Showcase contest (deadline is July 11).

Showcase Your Community Pride at the Minnesota State Fair September 3!

The Minnesota Community Pride Showcase with InCommons recognizes communities statewide for their efforts to move beyond current economic and civic challenges with creative and proactive community and economic development innovations. The Showcase is designed to reward, inspire, showcase and share the collaborative innovations going on in Minnesota towns and neighborhoods to improve quality of life. Sharing these best practices—with neighbors and across America—is also equally important. You need to enter to share……

Enter by July 11 at 5 p.m. CDT. http://www.incommons.org/en-us/MCPS

Tell us about your work to improve Minnesota towns and neighborhoods. Thirty entrants will be selected to display their work in-person at Minnesota Community Pride Day on September 3 in Carousel Park at the Minnesota State Fair, and plaques and $500 cash awards will be distributed by the Minnesota State Fair. The day’s festivities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will feature great live music, performances and opportunities to hear from and engage with state newsmakers. Join us for some inspiring conversations about the ways your fellow Minnesotans are working to improve community life.

FUNDING

–State Farm Grants.  State Farm focuses on three areas in the grants that it funds: safety, community development and education. In the Community Development category, State Farm indicates that ”We believe communities are the foundation and lifeblood of society and we are committed to help maintain the vibrancy and culture of our neighborhoods. We demonstrate this commitment by supporting programs that focus in these areas”

* Affordable Housing
* 1st Time Homeowners
* Community Revitalization
* Economic Development

Charitable donations are awarded to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, educational institutions, governmental entities, and Canadian charitable organizations.

The State Farm grant cycle is from January 2 through August 15. For more information see:   http://www.statefarm.com/aboutus/community/grants/company/company.asp

–Funds Available for Value-Added Producer Grants.  Applications are being accepted for grants to provide economic assistance to independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program.  Minnesota farmers and ranchers have been awarded almost $13 million in Value-Added grants since 2003. Application deadline is August 29, 2011. For further details about eligibility rules and application procedures, see the June 28, 2011, Federal Register.

Value-Added Producer Grants may be used for feasibility studies or business plans, working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy projects. Eligible applicants include independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and agricultural producer groups. Value-added products are created when a producer increases the consumer value of an agricultural commodity in the production or processing stage.

Examples of previous Value-Added grants in Minnesota include the processing and marketing of organic beef, design and packaging of milk products, developing new markets for pork products, marketing new health food snacks, introducing new varieties of apples, wind farms, ethanol and biodiesel plants and marketing compost products.

To learn more about Value-Added Producer Grants, contact a Rural Development specialist in your region.

– Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grants Available.   USDA is accepting grant applications to assist small, socially disadvantaged agricultural producers and cooperatives in rural areas to spur job creation. Almost $3.5 million in grants are available through USDA Rural Development’s Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program (SSDPG). Applications for SSDPGs are due August 15, 2011. Application materials may be obtained at the Rural Development website or by contacting an area office. For additional information, see the June 29, 2011, Federal Register.

Funding is available to cooperatives or associations of cooperatives where at least 75 percent of the governing board or membership are small, socially disadvantaged producers. Grants can be used for product improvements, business plan development or economic development activities. The maximum grant award per applicant is $200,000.

–The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/ocs_food.html is accepting applications for grants through discretionary funds for Community Economic Development (CED). Funds will be awarded to Community Development Corporations that engage in job creation and business development activities targeting low- and moderate-income individuals. This year, funding will be prioritized for organizations that are participating in the Healthy Foods Financing Initiative. The deadline to apply is July 11, 2011. Detailed information and application materials are available through the HHS website. http://tinyurl.com/6yhyszn

–The Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture has announced its Revolving Fund Program application window for Fiscal Year 2011. Application deadline: 7/25/2011. The available funding for the program is $496,000. To read the full announcement, see: http://tinyurl.com/67vpvdd.  The Revolving Fund Program has been established to assist rural communities with water or wastewater systems. Qualified private, nonprofit organizations, which are selected for funding, will receive RFP grant funds to establish a lending program for eligible entities. You may obtain application guides and materials here: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/index.htm.

–Best Buy Community Grants Program.  Funds youth programs in company communities.  Deadline: Grant application process opened July 1 and closes on August 1, 2011. See:  http://tinyurl.com/24x7hca

TRAINING/MEETINGS

–The 2011 Nonprofit Essentials Conference is a great way to grow your practical management skills. In this day-long conference, you will participate in valuable large group discussions, attend your choice of sixteen skill-building breakout sessions, hear an inspiring keynote speech and network with your peers.  Join the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the University of St. Thomas on July 20 in Minneapolis for this affordable and informative event. Visit the conference website for more information and to register.

–MAP TechWorks, a program of MAP for Nonprofits, is offering free learning opportunities to help you get and keep your organization on track. Insider Insights on Managing a Successful Website Redesign will be held on August 16.  Two nonprofit and web development insiders will walk participants through a field-tested approach to redesigning a website on budget and on time. Learn the tips, tricks and areas of risk to be aware of to make your project a success. To learn more about MAP TechWorks and its technology learning and support opportunities, visit MAPTechWorks.org.

– The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF), along with the Southwest Initiative Foundation and Bremer Bank, will conduct a one-day workshop entitled “Finding Funding–An Overview of the Grant Seeking and Grantwriting Process.” This workshop will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 11 at the Conference Center on the Ridgewater College Campus in Willmar. Executive directors, board and staff members, and volunteers from nonprofit organizations as well as other individuals interested in learning how to write grants or brush up on their grant skills are encouraged to attend this workshop.

In the afternoon, a panel of funders will speak on their respective funding priorities and application processes.

Panelists include Susan Lorenz, Director of Programs with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation in St. Cloud; Nancy Fasching, Program Officer for the Southwest Initiative Foundation in Hutchinson; Lue Her, Program Officer with The Otto Bremer Foundation, and Sheila Carrington, Program Officer at the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota.

Cost is $59 per person and includes refreshments, lunch and workshop materials. A $10 “early bird” discount will be given to those registering before Friday, August 5th. Register through the Central Minnesota Community Foundation’s website at www.communitygiving.org.  Nonprofits with specific questions should contact Susan Lorenz at slorenz@communitygiving.org.

– SAVE THE DATE:  Governor Dayton’s Job Summit 2011 will be held October 24-25 in St. Paul.  This will be the 16^th Annual Development Conference.

– The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Annual Conference is scheduled for October 6-7, 2011, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Visit  the MCN website to learn more http://tinyurl.com/3puy5cz

OPPORTUNITIES

–For those interested in learning more about public health issues at their own pace – free and online, the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health offers dozens of online courses listed at http://www.sph.umn.edu/ce/trainings/online.asp

These courses include (among many others):

* Community Healthcare Disaster Planning in Minnesota

* Culture and Health Literacy: Beyond Access

* Environmental Justice

* Health Promotion and Adult Education

* Issues and Trends in Occupational Health and Safety

* What is Public Health?

–Facilities participating in the Summer Health Care Intern Program are accepting student applications. http://tinyurl.com/czlb4k

–Call for Papers – Small Business and Entrepreneurship During an Economic Recovery.  The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation invite the submission of papers for Small Business and Entrepreneurship During an Economic Recovery, a conference that will take place November 9–10, 2011, in Washington, D.C., at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The deadline to submit an abstract is July 8, 2011.

Federal, state, and local governments have recently enacted numerous policies and programs in support of small businesses. Financial institutions and others are increasingly being called upon to provide capital to small firms—from main street shops to nascent high-growth companies. These efforts recognize the particular hardships that small businesses have faced during the economic downturn and since, as well as the important role they can play in the current economic recovery. Given the pivotal nature of this time, conference organizers are interested in exploring critical aspects of the capital and assistance needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs.  For details about conference topics and how to submit an abstract, please review the complete call for papers. http://tinyurl.com/3kar2dj  Conference organizers will notify applicants by the middle of August.

–Enter the 2011 Tekne Awards.  Minnesota entrepreneurs have begun filling up Minnesota High Tech Association’s inbox with applications for the 2011 Tekne Awards.  The Tekne’s include several categories that honor those who play a significant role in discovering new technologies that educate, improve lives and impact the future of people all over the world.  The nomination and application process can be completed entirely online. http://tekneawards.org/ Applications must be submitted by July 15.

– Replace T12 fluorescents before incentives disappear.  T12 fluorescents, the thicker, less-efficient fluorescent tube lights, are being phased out by the federal government and will become harder to purchase by mid-2012. Businesses and organizations should replace any T12s in their facilities before that happens.  Already, some Minnesota utilities are planning to discontinue rebates http://tinyurl.com/627f7ru for replacing T12s with the more-efficient T8 or T5 fluorescents. Xcel Energy, for instance, will end T12 retrofit rebates after 2012 but is offering a 50% bonus rebate to commercial customers that replace T12s before March 31, 2012.  If you have questions or need help, contact Energy Smart at (651) 292-4653.

MISCELLANEOUS

– Minnesota Milestones 2011.  Minnesota Milestones began in 1991 in the belief that a shared vision, clear goals and measurement of results would lead to a better future for Minnesota. The report uses 60 progress indicators to determine whether the state is achieving 19 publicly determined goals. Milestones is a product of the Minnesota State Demographic Center, a division of the Minnesota Department of Administration.  Goals are grouped in four broad areas: People, Community and Democracy, Economy and Environment.  >From Milestones’ Executive Summary:

“The 2000s have been a challenging decade for Minnesota and the nation. The combination of a serious recession, high unemployment rates and a turbulent housing market has heightened citizens’ worries about the future. In the face of these adversities, legislators recently decided it was time to resurrect Minnesota Milestones, a goal-setting project initiated in the early 1990s. This is the second update of Milestones since 2002.

The results show a mixed picture.  While there has been good progress in some areas, the majority of indicators show either no real change or change in a negative direction.  In particular, economic and environmental indicators reveal few favorable trends.

There are many government accountability measures and many indicators projects. Most state agencies now have performance goals and measure progress toward these objectives.

Accountability Minnesota http://www.accountability.state.mn.us/ provides performance indicators for Executive Branch agencies of Minnesota state government.

Among projects with a more general scope, the most notable is the Wilder Foundation’s Minnesota Compass (http://www.mncompass.org/), which will produce regular updates on a wide variety of statewide indicators and provide more detail by geography and groups of interest. Minnesota Compass is the expansion of an existing indicator project focused on the Twin Cities.

Minnesota Milestones, originally developed by Minnesota Planning, is distinctive because the goals were established through grass-roots participation of citizens who attended public meetings to talk about their vision of Minnesota’s future.

Milestones measures progress toward broad societal goals, rather than through more narrowly-defined performance measures. Achieving these goals requires the combined efforts of government, businesses, nonprofit organizations and individual citizens.”  To learn more, and to access the 60 progress indicators for Minnesota Milestones 2011, see: http://www.demography.state.mn.us/milestones2011/

 – In 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined together in the Partnership for Sustainable Communities to help communities nationwide improve access to affordable housing, increase transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment.

The Partnership for Sustainable Communities works to coordinate federal housing, transportation, water, and other infrastructure investments to make neighborhoods more prosperous, allow people to live closer to jobs, save households time and money, and reduce pollution. The partnership agencies incorporate six principles of livability into federal funding programs, policies, and future legislative proposals:

Provide more transportation choices.
Develop safe, reliable, and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote public health.

Promote equitable, affordable housing.
Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.

Enhance economic competitiveness.
Improve economic competitiveness through reliable and timely access to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs by workers, as well as expanded business access to markets.

Support existing communities.
Target federal funding toward existing communities through strategies like transit-oriented, mixed-use development and land recycling-to increase community revitalization and the efficiency of public works investments and safeguard rural landscapes.

Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment.
Align federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding, and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy.

Value communities and neighborhoods.
Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods-rural, urban, or suburban.

See the Partnership’s web site for information about its publications, grants available, other resources, and opportunities to get involved at http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/

–  Interested in tracking volunteer efforts for your agency or organization? The OurVolts online tool (with a free plan option for a small number of volunteer hours, and others for a monthly or annual fee) may be useful for you.

According to the web site https://www.ourvolts.com/   OurVolts can help with:

Transparency: Volunteers, administrators and the public see the total contributions.

Report: View a graphical display of total hours, top 10 volunteers – by site or groups of sites.

Connect: Find volunteers and projects in your area to connect with your community.

Incentives: Use visible milestones to motivate volunteers & create friendly, constructive competition.

Integrate: Add time tracking into your existing site or social network – graphs, too.

Track: Log hours and activities at project sites – see how your work adds up.

Empower: See how individual participation adds up to real results visible to the community.

Collaborate: Share data with local governments and other organizations – help with grant writing

– Those who are interested in new developments in Minnesota’s solar industry will find the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) web site: http://bit.ly/kI6YMh

of interest. At this site you can:

* Access an interactive map of Minnesota solar and small wind installers  

* Learn about several Minnesota solar manufacturers

* Be introduced to the Make Mine Solar bulk buy program (for solar hot water and solar hot air) for home and business owners in the Twin Cities.

–Volunteers wanted: Adopt a Highway, Adopt-a-River, Citizen Stream Monitoring, and Citizen Lake Monitoring!  Here are several opportunities for those who want to volunteer to do more to protect Minnesota’s environment:

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is looking for volunteers for its Adopt a Highway program, a public service campaign where community groups, churches, businesses and individuals pick up litter along Minnesota highways.

In the 21 years since its introduction, the program has saved the state of Minnesota millions of dollars. Adopt a Highway volunteers pick up 26,000 tons of litter per year along Minnesota highways, which saves Mn/DOT an estimated $5 million annually.

There are more than 12,000 miles of state highway in Minnesota of which 9,800 miles are adopted. Currently, there are an estimated 4,500 statewide groups and 45,000 volunteers registered.  To find out how to get involved in Mn/DOT’s Adopt a Highway program, visit: www.dot.state.mn.us/adopt or call Ernest Lloyd at 651/366-3564.

In a recent press release at http://bit.ly/ks11z0 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging people to join the Adopt-a-River program for the spring cleaning of public waters. To date, the Adopt-a-River program has helped over 82,000 volunteers collect nearly 6 million pounds of trash and clean 10,000 miles of shoreline. For more information about how to help clean Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, wetlands, ditches or ravines public waters, visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/adoptriver/index.html or send an e-mail to adoptariver.dnr@state.mn.us

The MPCA is currently recruiting volunteers for the Citizen Stream Monitoring Program and Citizen Lake Monitoring Program.  Volunteers are asked to take readings of water clarity at a designated site every week from April through October.  The readings are taken using equipment provided by the MPCA.  Training is provided, so volunteers do not need special experience or expertise.  Lake volunteers must have access to a boat to do their monitoring, but a boat is not necessary for the stream program.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer, call Laurie Sovell (for the streams program) or Johanna Schussler (for the lakes program) at the MPCA at 651/757-2227 or toll-free at 800/657-3864.  More information is available at: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/cmp

–AMBER WAVES, June 2011, VOL. 9, NO. 2.  Amber Waves presents the broad scope of USDA ERS’s research and analysis. The magazine covers the economics of agriculture, food and nutrition, the food industry, trade, rural America, and farm-related environmental topics. Available on the Internet and in print, Amber Waves is issued in print four times a year (March, June, September, and December). The Internet edition, or “eZine,” includes links to web-only resources, such as podcasts and additional articles. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/June11/

–HousingPolicy.org has a toolkit on its website with information about the housing needs of older adults who want to live in a residential environment. The toolkit explores the challenges facing older adults and strategies that enable more households to remain in their homes and communities as they age. A webinar is included that introduces the 3-part toolkit. To learn more, go to http://www.housingpolicy.org/toolbox/older_adults.html.

–Mapping Food Deserts. USDA has a website that provides an overview of low-income neighborhoods with high concentrations of people who are far from a supermarket or large grocery store. To learn more, go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FoodDesert/.

–The Rural Policy Research Institute and released a report called “Rethinking Federal Investments in Rural Transportation: Rural Considerations Regarding Reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act”. The report shows that a variety of transportation investments – including transit, vanpools, walking and biking paths, roads and highways – are critical to the economic development and well-being of our nation’s smaller communities and rural areas. To get a copy, go to: http://www.rupri.org/Forms/RUPRI_Transportation_April2011.pdf.

–The Housing Assistance Council published a special edition of Rural Voices that highlights rural housing programs (USDA RD Sections 502 & 523) that work. Articles focus on expanding homeownership, promoting affordability, creating jobs and stabilizing families and communities. To download a copy click here: http://www.ruralhome.org/storage/documents/sped2011.pdf.

–The USDA’s Economic Research Service has released a report called Federal Tax Policies and Low-Income Rural Households. The authors analyze the increasing use of refundable tax credits targeted to low- and moderate-income households in the Federal individual income tax and determine their implications for rural America. The analysis finds that expansions to both the refundable and nonrefundable portions of the Earned Income and Child Tax credits have provided a major source of income support for low-income workers and their families. This is especially true in the South, where the rural poor are concentrated. To get a copy, go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB76/EIB76.pdf.

– Introducing Indian Country Currents, your information gateway to building vibrant economies in Indian Country. The Minneapolis Fed has launched a web site for individuals and organizations engaged in economic development in Native communities. It features articles and reports, partner directories, an event calendar, tribal legal infrastructure training resources, Indian Business Alliance information, models and tools to enhance tribes’ development strategies, and more.  To view go to:  www.minneapolisfed.org/indiancountry.

--What are the Risks in Today's Farmland Market?  Farmland is a bellwether to the financial health of the U.S.
farm sector, accounting for 85 percent of U.S. farm assets. Sparked by surging grain prices, U.S. farmland values
soared to record highs at the end of 2010. The double-digit gains in cropland values outpaced the rise in cash rents,
leading observers to question the sustainability of such high land values and suggest that other 
factors, such as low interest rates, are driving current farmland values. In the latest issue of The Main Street
Economist, Jason Henderson and Brian Briggeman explore the risks in today's farm real estate market and analyze
whether the recent surge in farmland values is sustainable. Find the article at: http://tinyurl.com/3hry28s 

–Rural America Benefits from Use of the Federal Tax Code for Income Support.  The Federal tax code increasingly has been used to achieve social and other policy objectives, primarily through the expanded use of tax credits. A larger share of rural taxpayers benefits from Federal tax policies because they have historically had lower incomes and higher poverty rates than urban households. The earned income and child tax credits have provided a substantial boost in income to low-and middle-income rural taxpayers and have reduced the rural poverty rate. See: http://tinyurl.com/3pfx9bv

–Public Research Yields High Returns… Measured in More than Dollars.  Aggregate public investments in agricultural research can yield high returns and spur growth in agricultural productivity Standard economic approaches may be difficult to apply to evaluations of some research benefits and may not help in gauging important steps necessary to positive research outcomes. In these more difficult cases, economic reasoning can provide qualitative analysis even when quantitative estimates of benefits are intractable. See: http://tinyurl.com/42gj38a

–MyMoney.gov: MyMoney.gov is the U.S. government’s Web site dedicated to teaching the basics about financial education. The redesigned, interactive site offers information from 20 federal agencies and bureaus about planning for life events that have financial implications, such as buying a home, balancing your checkbook, or planning for retirement. The site also provides money management tools, including financial calculators and worksheets. http://www.mymoney.gov/

Compiled & edited by Deb Miller Slipek & Ann Treacy

–Across the Field

–Training/Meetings

–Opportunities

–Miscellaneous

Across the Field – National Rural Assembly comes to St. Paul next month.

Join rural leaders and advocates from across the country gathering in Minnesota next month to build a stronger voice for rural America. The National Rural Assembly lands in St. Paul, July 28-30, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel–St. Paul Riverfront.

According to the meeting organizers, the meeting objectives are to:

• Articulate a message that raises national awareness of rural issues.
• Raise a call to action for members of the National Rural Assembly around the issues identified in the Rural Compact.
• Provide opportunities for action planning on rural policy issues.
• Create opportunities for participants to make connections that will forward their work on rural policy issues.
• Educate policymakers and other leaders on issues prevalent in rural policy.

Registration is first come, first served. Applicants are expected to pay a $150 registration fee plus travel and hotel accommodations.  Meals are included in your registration fee. Some scholarships are available.

Registration and more information is available at http://2011.ruralassembly.org

FUNDING

–The Department of Education has funding available to nonprofits, IHEs, LEAs and others to establish Education Opportunity Centers that provide information on financial and academic assistance to at-risk youth to enter a program of postsecondary education. Deadline: May 23, 2011. For more information, please go to: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-04-06/html/2011-8202.htm.

–i6 Green Challenge – $12 million available.  The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and its Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship has announced the opening of its $12 million i6 Green Challenge in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

EDA will award up to $1 million to each of six teams around the country with the most innovative ideas to drive technology commercialization and entrepreneurship in support of a green innovation economy, increased U.S. competitiveness and new jobs. Its partner agencies will award more than $6 million in additional funding to i6 Green winners.

The Federal Funding Opportunity notice and application information on i6 Green is available at the web site above. The deadline to submit an application is May 26, 2011. Funding is contingent upon Congressional approval of the administration’s 2011 budget.   For more information go to:  http://www.eda.gov/i6

–The Office of Rural Health Policy is pleased to announce the release of the Rural Health Information Technology (HIT) Grant Program (HRSA-11-137). HIT is critically important for rural communities and while a lot of the early innovation in the use of electronic records and HIT networks was done in rural communities, many challenges still remain.  Due to the unique broadness and flexibility of the 330a authorization, ORHP had a great opportunity to develop this grant program in response to these initiatives. The rural HIT program was developed out of the Network Development Program legislation (330a authority), keeping the focus on rural networks.

To download the funding opportunity, please visit the links below:

Link for Funding Opportunity Synopsis: http://tinyurl.com/6b97e38

Link to apply for Funding Opportunity: http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/UpdateOffer?id=50273

The deadline to submit an application in grants.gov is May 27, 2011. ORHP strongly recommends that applicants submit their applications prior to the due date to avoid any technological problems. All applications have to be submitted electronically in www.grants.gov  For further questions on this funding opportunity, please contact the program coordinator, Marcia Green at 301-443-3261 or mgreen@hrsa.gov.

– Healthy Foods Healthy Lives – Community Engagement Grants.  The HFHL Institute is requesting applications for grants to fund innovative community-university partnerships related to food, nutrition and health. Projects should include participatory action research1, or other creative strategies for addressing community-identified problems by bringing together academic and community partners. Both academic and community knowledge systems should be honored in these partnerships.

A total of 3- 4 proposals will be funded in response to this RFP. Each grant will be awarded to a project team for a maximum total cost of $50,000 for one year of funding, with the potential for renewal for one year, one time. Applications are due May 31, 2011.  For more details go to:  http://www.hfhl.umn.edu/

–The Department of Education is offering grants to provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities who reside on or near Federal or State reservations. Eligible applicants are any Federal or State Indian band, rancheria, pueblo, colony, or community, including any Alaskan native village or regional village corporation. Deadline for applications: 6/7/2011. For an application and more information go to:  http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.

–HUD has announced the availability of funds for the Housing Choice Voucher Family Self Sufficiency Program for PHAs to promote the development of local strategies to coordinate the use of assistance under the HCV program with public and private resources to enable participating families to increase earned income and financial literacy, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency. Deadline: 6/8/2011.  For more on this program see:  http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=89155.

–HUD has issued a NOFA for the Healthy Homes Production Program for nonprofits and others to identify and correct significant housing-related health and safety hazards in privately owned, low-income rental or owner occupied housing. Deadline: 6/9/2011. For more information visit: http://tinyurl.com/3mulfs3

–The Department of Justice is offering funds to Indian Tribes to enhance American Indian and Alaska Native communities’ capacity to provide high-quality multidisciplinary victim-center services and support for adult and child victims of sexual assault. Deadline: 6/14/2011. To apply go to: http://tinyurl.com/6927zpf

–HUD has issued a NOFA for the 2011 Indian Community Development Block Grant Program for the development of viable Indian and Alaska Native communities, including the creation of decent housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities primarily for persons with low and moderate incomes. Deadline: 6/15/2011. For more information and to apply see: http://tinyurl.com/3lwtyh3

–USDA has announced the availability of funds for the Rural Energy for America Program that will provide loans and grants for energy projects that benefit rural areas. Maximum grant size is $20,000. Deadline to apply: 6/15/2011. For more information see: http://tinyurl.com/3eoadj7

–HUD has issued a NOFA for the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program to nonprofits for the development and operation of supportive housing for very low-income persons with disabilities who are at least 18 years old. Deadline for applications: 6/23/2011. For more on this opportunity go to: http://tinyurl.com/3haj99n

–HUD has also issued a NOFA for the Public and Indian Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program under the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Program (PH FSS) for PHAs to serve residents of conventional public housing. Deadline: 6/29/2011. For more information visit: http://tinyurl.com/3bthn52

–USDA has announced the availability of funds for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program projects that promote rural economic development and job creation. Deadline to apply is 6/30/2011. For more information, eligibility criteria, and an application go to: http://tinyurl.com/3dao2sa

–HUD has issued a NOFA for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinators program for PHAs, nonprofits, and others to coordinate supportive services and other activities designed to help Public and Indian housing residents attain economic and housing self-sufficiency. Deadline: 7/13/2011. For more information visit: http://tinyurl.com/3pxt3th

–Roadside prairie planting funds available.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Roadsides for Wildlife Program currently has a cost share fund available to help applicants plant native prairie wildflowers and grass seed along rural roads.  Through the Roadsides Program, road authorities, conservation groups, and landowners are reimbursed up to 75 percent of the cost of local ecotype native prairie seed, with a maximum cost-share rate of $300 per acre. For example, the applicant pays $100 per acre for seed and the DNR pays $300 per acre.

Grant applications are accepted year round. The DNR notifies applicants within 30 days if their projects are accepted. A roadside technician will assist the applicant in finding a reliable seed source and selecting species. The applicant will purchase the seed initially and the DNR will reimburse the applicant upon inspection of the seeding project. Seeding equipment is available in many areas of the state.  The Roadside for Wildlife program primarily targets the agricultural areas of the state, but funding is available statewide for habitat improvement.  Converting road right-of-way to native plantings helps reduce mowing and use of pesticides. Native plants are very durable, long-lived perennials that are naturally adapted to local growing conditions. Other benefits of native vegetation include enhanced biodiversity, improved natural buffer and increased infiltration of storm water runoff, as well as added beautification and visual stimulation, which reduces fatigue in drivers.

To request an application or for information, contact Pete.Schaefer@dnr.state.mn.us, 507-225-3572, fax: 507 225-3795, or write to: Roadsides for Wildlife Program, DNR Division of Wildlife, 261 Highway 15 South, New Ulm, MN 56073-8915, Attention: Pete Schaefer. Further information is at:  http://tinyurl.com/3qorcoe

TRAINING/MEETINGS

–The 2011 Minnesota Indian Housing Conference is scheduled for June 1-3 at Grand Casino in Hinckley. The conference will bring together tribal leaders, tribal housing board members, tribal professionals from housing social services and health along with federal, state, and local government housing professionals and practitioners.  For more information go to: http://www.mnihc.com/

–Fundamentals of Nonprofit Finance will be held Tuesday, June 7 from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Bremer Bank’s Lower Level Conference Room in

Marshall, MN.  Nonprofit finance has unique rules, conditions, and terminology. This session will provide an introduction to financial reports, the accounting rules governing restricted funds, and nonprofit reporting requirements. You will learn to clarify financial roles and responsibilities and how to create effective internal controls and policies.

This workshop is perfect for those new to the nonprofit sector, or for board members, program managers, administrative staff, or executive directors looking for a financial refresher. Participants will gain the basic operating skills and confidence needed to achieve mission goals.  To register go to: www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org  Or contact Amanda at 612-278-7161 or adlouhy@nonprofitsassistancefund.org

–Minnesota Inventors Congress will hold its Invention and Idea show June 10 -11 at the Redwood Area Community Center in Redwood Falls.  For more information and to register go to: http://tinyurl.com/6ggtcu5

–The Minnesota Campus Compact’s Annual Summit and Awards will be held June 14^th at St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul.  This inspiring event, designed both to celebrate the outstanding campus-community partnerships and leadership across the state and to provide valuable opportunities for professional development and networking.  For more information and to register go to:  http://tinyurl.com/3nzyo3z

– The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Annual Conference is scheduled for October 6-7, 2011, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Visit the MCN website to learn more http://tinyurl.com/3lxa4o4

OPPORTUNITIES

–The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is now accepting applications for individuals interested in serving as an AmeriCorps member in MN GreenCorps for the 2011-2012 program year.  Positions are in the areas of:

* Energy Conservation
* Waste Prevention and Recycling
* Living Green
* Green Infrastructure

The MPCA hopes to place up to 30 full time positions with sites around the state. Full time positions may begin in mid to late September 2011 and last through August 2012, with members serving approximately 40 hours per week. Five reduced half-time positions may also be available with University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM), for current students only.

Member applications for MN GreenCorps positions are due May 26, 2011.

Some of the benefits of participating in the Minnesota GreenCorps program as a member include:

* Gaining valuable skills and experience in the environmental field

* Personal and professional development opportunities

* Giving back to your community and helping to improve the environment

* Living allowance of at least $12,100 spread over the 11-month term in bi-weekly payments

* Offer of health insurance

* Offer of child care assistance

* Loan forbearance

* Upon completion, education award of $5,350 to be used toward loans or tuition

Minimum qualifications:

* Must be a minimum of 18 years or older.

* Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.

* Must not have a criminal history that precludes the applicant’s ability to work with vulnerable populations, such as the youth and elderly.

* Must be able to make a commitment to complete 11 months of service.

* Education: A two-year Associate of Arts degree or completion of sophomore year in a four-year college program is required. A four-year college degree with a major or significant course work related to environmental protection or other relevant aspect of the Minnesota GreenCorps program is preferred.

Candidates may be contacted as early as June for an interview.  For details and application materials, see http://www.pca.state.mn.us/tchy7a6 or     http://www.pca.state.mn.us/mngreencorps . Please direct questions to mngreencorps.pca@state.mn.us

MISCELLANEOUS

– Local and Regional Foods in Minnesota was published on April 4, 2011 in cooperation with the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. The report was prepared for the Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc. Rural Urban Connections Project with funding from USDA Rural Development. In its 27 pages, it “highlights strategies currently employed throughout Minnesota to build and strengthen local and regional food systems through production, distribution, processing, consumer education, and marketing of local foods.”

The report is divided into the following sections:

* Production – Growing Food and Farmers

* Local Food Systems Planning

* Supply Chain and Agricultural Infrastructure

* Processing

* Consumer Demand, Education, and Outreach

From the report’s conclusions: “Minnesota has vibrant and growing local and regional food systems.”  “Enthusiasm for these local and sustainably produced foods is growing. Evidence can be found in the increasing number of community supported agriculture farms, the growing amount of local foods available in many grocery stores, increasing numbers of farmers’ markets, and the growing list of restaurants serving locally grown foods.”  “Despite the growth of the movement and the valiant efforts of those involved, many hurdles remain. The infrastructure system in place for agricultural commodities is inappropriate for local food producers…The existing local and regional agriculture systems in Minnesota are healthy and growing but still have vast unmet potential with which to expand.”  To download this report (free), visit: http://tinyurl.com/3fhq3ec

–The Food Desert Locator provides a spatial overview of low-income neighborhoods with high concentrations of people who are far from a supermarket or large grocery store. This mapping tool will allow users to map food deserts—areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious foods—and view census tract-level statistics on population groups with low access to healthy and affordable food. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FoodDesert/

–The Greater Minnesota Telehealth Broadband Initiative (GMTBI) is Minnesota’s FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program project connecting 144 hospitals, clinics and mental health centers on a dedicated broadband network for health information exchange. For more information, contact Karen Welle at karen.welle@state.mn.us or attend the GMTBI session, Building a Dedicated Network for Rural Health Care, at the Minnesota Rural Health Conference. http://tinyurl.com/439afsl

–U.S. Census Bureau Releases Data on Population Distribution and Change in the U.S. Based on Analysis of 2010 Census Results.  http://tinyurl.com/5tuabep In this first in a series of 2010 Census briefs, Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010, http://tinyurl.com/4yvpfyd the Census Bureau analyzed the nation’s population change for the United States as a whole, as well as its regions, states, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, counties and places.

–The USDA ERS State Fact Sheets provide information on population, income, poverty, education, employment, federal funds, organic agriculture, farm characteristics, farm financial indicators, top commodities, and exports, for each State in the United States. Links to county-level data are included when available. The State Fact Sheets now include 2010 State and county unemployment data.  Go to: http://wwwers.usda.gov/StateFacts/

–The Community Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has released a new issue of Community Dividend that features articles on workplace-based financial education, the Minnesota Home Ownership Center’s response to the foreclosure crisis, and Hispanic entrepreneurs in the Ninth Federal Reserve District.  To read more, visit Current Issue page.

–Housing Assistance Council has issued an update on its initial report and assessment of the foreclosure situation in rural America called Foreclosure in Rural America: An Update. To download a free copy go to: http://tinyurl.com/3h7wofo

–The Water Resources Center at Minnesota State University Mankato is accelerating cleanup of the Minnesota River through a project that will dramatically increase collaboration among all stakeholders in the basin. The project includes a video documentary about the history of the river from Glacial Lake Agassiz to the present, including an overview of current pollution problems and restoration activities and an updated and expanded Minnesota River Basin Data Center website (http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/) to serve as a clearinghouse for information about the river and a means of communication for all stakeholders.  A wide range of stakeholders is supporting this effort, including a number of nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies. For more details, see http://www.mnriver.org/

–Guide to Measuring the Benefits of Green Infrastructure.  In its 80 pages, The Value of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Environmental and Social Benefits “aims to inform decision-makers and planners about the multiple benefits green infrastructure delivers to communities, and to guide communities in valuing the benefits of potential green infrastructure investments.”

This 2010 publication from The Center for Neighborhood Technologies defines green infrastructure as “a network of decentralized stormwater and permeable pavement that can capture and infiltrate rain where it falls, thus reducing stormwater runoff and improving the health of surrounding waterways.” The guide discusses a number of green infrastructure practices, including green roofs, tree planting, bioretention & infiltration, permeable pavement, and water harvesting.

The guide then includes sections related to measuring the benefit and value of green infrastructure in the following areas:

* Water

* Energy

* Air Quality

* Climate Change

* Urban Heat Island

* Community Livability

* Habitat Improvement

* Public Education

A number of brief community case studies are also included, as well as descriptions of several useful calculators and an extensive bibliography.  To download this report for free, visit http://www.cnt.org/repository/gi-values-guide.pdf

–The Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) has published a brief called “Rethinking Federal Investments in Rural Transportation: Rural Considerations Regarding Reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Act”. The brief looks at rural transportation issues and focuses on the ongoing nature and scope of transportation investment in the United States. To get a copy of the document go to: http://tinyurl.com/44cwf9e.

–Plan now to pick up your free copy of the 2011 Minnesota Grown Directory packed with hundreds of places to find great locally grown foods.  The 30th Anniversary edition makes it convenient to locate orchards, farmers’ markets, berry farms and garden centers where you can purchase products directly from the grower. A free printed copy of the Minnesota Grown Directory may be ordered online at: http://tinyurl.com/3qd83t8 or calling Explore Minnesota Tourism at 1-888-VISITMN (1-888-847-4866).

Compiled & Edited by Deb Miller Slipek, Ann Treacy & Emily Kissane.

****Warning – this issue packed to the gills with good information!****

–ACROSS THE FIELD

–FUNDING

–TRAINING/MEETINGS

–OPPORTUNITIES

–MISCELLANEOUS

ACROSS THE FIELD:  GREAT FORUM ON RURAL URBAN INTERCONNECTIONS LAST WEEK!! Thanks to all who helped put it together and all who attended!

Thanks to many of you who came to the April 5 “Rural Urban Interdependencies Forum: Understanding Linkages that Drive Job Creation” at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus. All of us who organized the gathering really appreciated your presence — great questions and great discussions.

If you want to share the Forum with others (or want to watch it again), you can view it here (presentations start just before 4:00 on the counter).  The event will be archived for the next three weeks.

All the presentations have been posted at www.rurb.mn. You can add comments there as well.

A copy of the Minnesota Rural Partners report — “Pilot Study: Estimating Rural and Urban Minnesota’s Interdependencies” — is also available at http://mnruralpartners.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/rurb-02_11-final.pdf

Kate Searls & Jane Leonard will be presenting a paper on the Rural Urban study and the Rural Urban initiative at the Community Development Society/Rural Sociological Society annual conference in Boise, Idaho this July. The theme of the conference is Shifting Boundaries: Rural Diversity and Change in an Urbanizing Society. You can go to www.comm-dev.org for more information.

Please check in at www.rurb.mn for future reports related to Rural Urban Interconnectedness & Interdependencies.

Note:  the April 5 gathering was also a celebration of 15 years of service to Minnesota and the nation for Minnesota Rural Partners. We are shutting down formal operations at the end of the year but as long as we can, we will put out this newsletter, and we’ll endeavor to continue to help people network on and off-line.

FUNDING

–DEED has nearly $16 million dollars in available Angel tax credits for 2011. The number reflects about $4 million in unallocated roll-over credits from last year.  DEED launched the Angel Tax Credit Program in July to stimulate private investment in emerging businesses and to encourage job creation through the growth of those businesses.  In six months the program certified 112 businesses, 67 of which received investments from 258 certified individuals.  These businesses received more than $28 million in investment resulting in $7 million in credits for investors.

In its report to the legislature, http://tinyurl.com/4pu9g3l DEED listed lack of participation in Greater Minnesota as a concern.  The agency says it will work with Minnesota’s angel community to identify ways to increase activity there.  DEED also has a new publication http://tinyurl.com/3ufqu9h For people wanting to learn more about the Angel Tax Credit Program.

– HUD announces the reactivation of the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program, with $1 billion in funding available for this program. The Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program provides emergency mortgage relief to homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed and at risk of foreclosure and who meet certain requirements of the program. This notice sets out the requirements and procedures by which emergency relief will be made available. Effective Date: April 4, 2011. To read the full notice, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-4816.pdf.

–HUD has announced the availability of funding to nonprofits for the Self-Help Homeownership Program (SHOP) to encourage innovative homeownership through “sweat equity” affordable housing development or rehabilitation projects. Deadline to apply: April 18, 2011. For more information, go to: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/shopnofa.pdf.

–USDA Accepting Applications for Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants. The USDA is accepting applications for telecommunications grants to provide access to education, training and healthcare resources in rural areas. Funding is authorized through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UTP_DLT.html Completed applications must be received by April 25, 2011. More application information is available in the Feb. 24, 2011 edition of the Federal Register. http://tinyurl.com/3odl8bz There is also a resource page available for 2011 applications. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UTP_DLTResources.html DLT grants can be used for the purchase of eligible equipment and to provide technical assistance. To be eligible, applicants must serve a rural area, demonstrate economic need, and provide at least 15 percent in matching funds. Awards range up to $500,000.   For more information in northern Minnesota, contact Dominic Henderson. Dominic.Henderson@wdc.usda.gov In southern Minnesota, contact Tom Jensen. thomas.jensen@wdc.usda.gov

–US EPA Environmental Education Grants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting grant applications for $1.9 million in funding for environmental education projects and programs. The purpose of the grants is to promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers and citizens. EPA expects to award at least 20 grants nationwide ranging from a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $100,000 and will accept applications until May 2, 2011. The grants provide financial support for innovative projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. Projects should involve environmental education activities that go beyond disseminating information.

The Environmental Education Grant Program provides funding to local education agencies, state education or environmental agencies, colleges or universities, not-for-profit organizations, or noncommercial educational broadcasting entities. Tribal education agencies, which are controlled by an Indian tribe, band or nation, may also apply, including a school or community college.  Since the program began, EPA has provided more than $50 million in funding to more than 3,000 agencies and organizations.   For more information on eligibility and application materials, see http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html

–THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE is offering grant funds for the Second Chance Act Juvenile Mentoring Initiative to nonprofit and public agencies to provide employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims support, and other services to help adult and juvenile ex-offenders make a successful transition from incarceration to the community. Deadline is May 2, 2011. For more information, go to: http://tinyurl.com/6gngsbg

–THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR has grants for the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) Housing Assistance Program available to nonprofits and others. Deadline is May 3, 2011.  For more information, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3ntqvzx.

–Community Connect Grants Available in Economically Challenged Areas. The USDA is accepting applications for the Community Connect grant program http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_commconnect.html through May 3, 2011. Additional application information is available in the March 4, 2011 Federal Register. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/supportdocuments/CCNOSA.pdf Eligible entities are incorporated organizations, Tribes and tribal organizations, state and local government bodies, for-profit or non-profit cooperatives, private corporations and limited liability corporations.  Individuals are not eligible to apply. Grants range from $50,000 to $1.5 million.  While grants cannot be renewed, applications to extend existing projects are welcome. Each project requires matching contributions, must serve a rural area where broadband service does not exist, must provide services to critical communities free of charge for two years, and must offer basic service to all premises within the proposed service area.

For more information, contact Long Chen or Janet Malaki in USDA’s broadband division at community.connect@wdc.usda.gov, or (202) 690-4673.  Grants are available to communities in the most rural, economically challenged areas where loans would not be sustainable. Funds may be used to construct, acquire or lease facilities to deploy broadband to residents, businesses and essential community facilities such as police and fire stations, libraries, schools, and health care clinics

–THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION is offering grants to permit states, LEAs, nonprofits, and charter schools to enhance the credit of charter schools enabling them to access private-sector and other non-Federal capital to acquire, construct, and renovate facilities at a reasonable cost. Deadline is May 10, 2011.  For more information and to apply, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3tlw2sf.

–HUD has issued the NOFA for Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly to acquire, rehabilitate, and/or construct affordable housing for low-income seniors, as well as to provide long-term rent subsidies for occupants. Deadline is June 1, 2011.  For more information, go to: http://tinyurl.com/42jjowu6.

TRAINING/MEETINGS

–The Carsey Institute will host a webinar presentation with Senior Demographer Ken Johnson, “The Growing Diversity of America’s Children and Youth”, on April 12, 2011, at 1:00 PM EDT. This presentation will examine the changing racial and ethnic mix of America’s children by focusing on the unusually rapid growth and changing spatial distribution of America’s young people between 2000 and 2008. Minorities grew to 43 percent of all children and youth, up from 38.5 percent only eight years earlier. The growth was greatest among the youngest age group: 47 percent of all children 0-4 were minority in 2008. The presentation will include both national and county level data, and will also incorporate a first look at some 2010 Census data. To register go to: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/198604694.

–MHTA’s Spring Conference, Innovation in Minnesota- Fueling our High Tech Economy, will be April 14^th at Minneapolis Convention Center.  Robert Stephens, http://rstephens.blogspot.com/ Best Buy CTO and founder of “The Geek Squad,” will keynote the opening session. For more information, go to: http://www.mhta.org/spring_conference.php

–Free Webinar – Social Media for Industry – April 28, 10 A.M. or an introduction to social media strategies for renewable energy businesses. Learn how other businesses are using Blogs, Twitter, Video and Social Media networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook. We’ll talk about how to use social media to other businesses and consumers.  No need to pre-register, simply join the webinar immediately before the webinar: http://connectpro31594469.adobeconnect.com/r53173140/

–Southern Minnesota Nonprofit Summit http://tinyurl.com/455js32 a day-long event just for small nonprofits and all-volunteer organizations in Southern Minnesota on Thursday, May 12, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Country Inn & Suites, 1900 Premier Drive, Mankato.

Learn more and register today! http://tinyurl.com/3qlkhhq Scholarships http://tinyurl.com/444m4j9 are available.

– MN Inventors Congress will be June 10 & 11, 2011. Inventions create jobs. New ideas and new products create new markets and new markets retain and create jobs. The Minnesota Inventors Congress is hosting its 54^th annual invention expo.

Don’t miss the Invention & Idea Show 2011.  http://inventornotes.com/2011/02/16/249/ The show provides a format for inventors to test market their latest products. Aspiring and emerging inventors can network with experts in the field of product development, by participating in any of our 17 Inventing Success Workshops held during the expo. Keynote speaker Karen Waksman, www.ProductforProfit.com,  kicks off  the event at 8 am on June 10th and Warren Tuttle, www.monasheemarketing.com housewares expert begins the slate of workshops on Saturday morning. Manufacturers and licensing agents are encouraged to attend. For more information contact the Minnesota Inventors Congress at 800.468.3681

–Minnesota e-Health Summit is June 15-16 in Brooklyn Park. http://www.health.state.mn.us/e-health/summit/index.html

–Minnesota Rural Health Conference is June 27-28 in Duluth. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/conf/index.html

OPPORTUNITIES

–The Bush Foundation has posted several job opportunities, serving Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Check it out at http://www.bushfoundation.org

–The 2011 Minnesota Nonprofit Awards. Nonprofit organizations make outstanding contributions to Minnesota’s high quality of life. The Minnesota Nonprofit Awards, http://www.minnesotanonprofitawards.org presented by MCN and MAP for Nonprofits, honor these important contributions.
The Minnesota Nonprofit Awards include the Nonprofit Mission Awards and the Nonprofit Excellence Awards. The Mission Awards recognize work in the categories of Innovation, Nonprofit Advocacy, Anti-racism Initiative and Responsive Philanthropy. The Nonprofit Excellence Awards acknowledge one large and one small nonprofit organization for overall excellence in management.

Along with the honor and distinction of being named a leader among Minnesota’s nonprofits, award recipients will receive a one-of-a-kind art glass award, a profile in Nonprofit News going to 12,000 nonprofit leaders, a video production documenting their accomplishments and a financial award (except in the case of the Responsive Philanthropy award).  Nominations for the Nonprofit Mission and Excellence Awards will be accepted through April 29, 2011. Learn more about the criteria, cash awards and other prizes at www.minnesotanonprofitawards.org.

–The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is now accepting applications for organizations interested in participating as a host site for the 2011-2012 year of the Minnesota GreenCorps program. Minnesota GreenCorps is an environmentally-focused AmeriCorps program, coordinated by the MPCA, which places AmeriCorps members with organizations around the state to spend a year of service addressing critical environmental issues, while gaining experience and learning valuable job skills.

Please note, operation of the 2011-2012 program year is contingent on receiving funds. Confirmation of funds may not be available prior to the application deadline.   Applications from eligible organizations interested in hosting Minnesota GreenCorps members are due by 5:00pm on May 5, 2011. Host site application packets are only available by emailing your request to mngreencorps.pca@state.mn.us.   Please direct all questions to this email.

Eligible organizations include public entities (local, regional, state, tribal), school districts, not for profit institutions of higher education, and 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Organizations may apply for Minnesota GreenCorps members who will serve on projects in the areas of:

- Energy Conservation

- Waste Prevention and Recycling

- Living Green Outreach

- Green Infrastructure

MPCA may place up to 30 full time members with various host sites for the 2011-2012 year. Members serve approximately 40 hours a week for 11 months beginning in mid to late September 2011 through August 2012. Members will be placed either individually or in teams of two at selected host sites. For more information on the program, including descriptions of host site projects from current and previous years, please visit  www.pca.state.mn.us/mngreencorps .  Member application materials for individuals interested in serving with the program will be available online in the coming weeks.

–Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ fall Annual Conference is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, October 6 and 7 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. This is the largest gathering of nonprofits in Minnesota…so mark your calendar! The 2011 conference will include MCN’s 25th anniversary celebration, with a look back over our 25-year history. We hope you’ll celebrate with us.  We are currently seeking proposals for conference sessions, and we encourage you to consider sharing your knowledge with your peers by submitting a session on a topic of special interest to you. Visit our website at: http://tinyurl.com/3lxa4o4 to learn more about how to submit a session proposal. Proposal submissions are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 6.

–Call for Participation in the National Conference on Rural Wealth Creation and Livelihoods, to be held October 3-5, in Washington, DC. The USDA ERS and the Ford Foundation are convening a National Conference on Rural Wealth Creation and Livelihoods, October 3-5, 2011, in Washington, DC. “Wealth” can be considered to include a broad range of assets that contribute to human well-being, including physical, natural, financial, human, intellectual, social, political and cultural capital. Fostering wealth creation that leads to improved livelihoods in rural America is a top priority for USDA and for many regional, state and local research and development initiatives. The conference is intended to begin to develop a practical, results-relevant dialog among the research, practitioner, and policy communities. All those interested in attending the conference are requested to apply by responding to the Call for Participation, which has links to the application. Applications are due by May 15, 2011. Go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/ConferenceCenter/RuralWealthCreation/

– Minnesota Cup Entries Now Accepted.  The entry period for the 2011 Minnesota Cup http://www.breakthroughideas.org/ is now open until May 20. The annual statewide competition seeks out aspiring entrepreneurs and their breakthrough ideas.  The competition includes six divisions: http://tinyurl.com/3m8hzwu BioSciences, Clean Technology & Renewable Energy, General, High Tech, Social Entrepreneurship and a Student category.  The winner from each division will compete for the grand prize in September at the 7th Annual Minnesota Cup awards event.

–MNDOT asks Minnesotans for input to 50-year transportation vision! Minnesotans will help determine the state’s transportation system vision for the next 50 years when the Minnesota Department of Transportation rolls out a process for the public to provide input to that vision.  The process will help the agency prioritize many goals, limited financial resources and an aging infrastructure.

Mn/DOT’s transportation system responsibilities include:

* Planning, building and maintaining state roads, bridges, and trails for vehicle operators, bicyclists and pedestrians.
* Planning and funding regional airports, railroads, public transit and ports owned and operated by local governments and private companies.
* Providing technical and financial assistance for local roads.

Minnesota GO will take place through August 2011 and provide Minnesotans with opportunities to get involved through online activities, advisory groups, public workshops and hearings. Mn/DOT also will reach individuals through targeted outreach. A 29-member steering committee representing other public agencies and community organizations will review public comments, advisory group discussions, and quality of life research. The group will then draft and recommend a vision statement and set of objectives for the Mn/DOT commissioner and senior leadership to adopt.

At the end of the process, Mn/DOT will begin updating the statewide multimodal transportation plan and other investments and plans for roads, rails, transit, airports, ports and trails.  Minnesotans interested in becoming involved can check out www.minnesotago.org. The website is hosted by the Citizen’s League and will be updated regularly with new content, discussion questions, surveys and videotaped interviews on a range of topics. Eight public workshops will take place in May 2011.

MISCELLANEOUS

–USDA has mapped rural county characteristics and provided the data through an online, interactive Atlas of Rural and Small-Town America. Included are maps of unemployment data, population data, homeownership, and more. Specific data can be accessed by clicking on the map. To see the Atlas go to:  http://ers.usda.gov/data/ruralatlas/.

–The Carsey Institute has conducted a survey of rural Americans that shows that education varies by place. The latest analysis shows that people living in chronically poor rural areas have among the lowest education attainment levels from generation to generation, underscoring a lack of educational opportunities that has persisted for decades. To download and read the report, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3kcyyef.

–“Impact Investing for Rural Wealth Creation: Investing for financial returns and community impact”, from the Wealth Creation for Rural Communities series from Yellow Wood Associates, outlines investment systems that provide returns to investors and lasting positive impact for communities. The paper addresses financial challenges experienced by rural communities and provides examples of key participants in the investment chain and successful strategies for connecting rural communities with investors. To get a copy go to: http://www.yellowwood.org/wealthcreation.aspx.

–The RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship has created a blog on their social networking site called Opening Dialogue – Positioning Rural America in a New Economic Reality. They encourage your comments, ideas, solutions and suggestions and sharing resources, case studies, examples of places that are working to move regional development strategies forward. To read the blog, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3kgnjmr.   If you want to comment, you’ll need to register for the social networking site (a simple process) at: http://elgg.energizingentrepreneurs.org/account/register.php.

–State of Green Business 2011.  The 66-page State of Green Business Report 2011, published last month by the GreenBiz Group outlines what it considers to be the top 10 sustainable business trends of 2011:

* Consumer Giants Awaken to Green
* Companies Aim for ‘Zero’
* The Developing World Yanks the Supply Chain
* Greener Transport Makes Its Move

* Sustainable Food Becomes a Main Course
* Metrics and Standards Become the Rule
* Toxics Concerns Spur Greener Alternatives
* Water Footprinting Makes a Splash
* Companies Learn to Close the Loop

* Bioplastics Become Material

Available for free downloading (after registration), the report also includes a GreenBiz Index, which seeks to “measure and assess a representative basket of indicators that tell us, in aggregate, the progress U.S. companies are (or aren’t) making in 20 aspects of environmental perfrmance – from operational efficiency to employee commuting to investments in clean technologies.”  These 20 indicators include Carbon Intensity, Clean-Energy Patents, Employee Commuting, Fleet Impacts, Green Office Space, Paper Use & Recycling, and Toxic Emissions, among others.

The report observes that “a dramatic shift is occurring in business: Companies are thinking bigger and longer term about sustainability – a sea change from their otherwise notoriously incremental, short-term mindset. And even during these challenging economic times, many have doubled down on their sustainability activities and commitments.”  http://tinyurl.com/4adpf98

–2011 Community Supported Agriculture Farm Directory.  Each year the nonprofit Land Stewardship Project (LSP) publishes a guide and listing of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms.  CSA farms provide weekly deliveries of their locally-grown produce to their customers throughout the growing season, with the customers paying the farmers a subscription fee. In some ways the CSA customers become partners with the farmers, and the subscribers benefit by helping to build community and a more personal connection with the source of some of their food.

The 2011 edition of the CSA directory is available online and for free downloading at the web site above. This year’s directory for the first time lists not only farms that deliver to subscribers in the Twin Cities, but also includes farms delivering to customers in Greater Minnesota and western Wisconsin.  Farmers pay a fee to be listed in this directory, and LSP does not certify these farms.  There are descriptions of about 80 CSA farms in the directory, along with links to the farms’ web sites in many cases. The directory is a great way for those considering CSA membership to check out the wide variety of options that exist.  Go to:  http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/csa.html

–“Grocery Stores and Food Access in Rural America” is the title of an article in the February issue of the Center for Rural America’s February newsletter. The author states that “local ownership of a grocery is critical from several perspectives. Economically, food dollars spent at any locally-owned business continue to circulate within the community as the grocer spends money at other local businesses.” To read the article, go to: http://www.cfra.org/node/3184.

–Census: Near-Record Level of U.S. Counties Dying.  Carsey Institute Senior Demographer Ken Johnson’s research indicates that roughly 760 of the nation’s 3,142 counties are fading away, stretching from industrial areas near Pittsburgh and Cleveland to the vineyards outside San Francisco to the rural areas of east Texas and the Great Plains. Once-booming housing areas, such as retirement communities in Florida, have not been immune. To read more of the article, go to: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=12969273 .  To read the abstract in Rural Sociology, visit:  http://tinyurl.com/3tojjlf

–Map Offers Evolving Picture of Broadband Access. State and federal officials have released interactive maps http://connectmn.org/mapping/ they say will help Minnesotans find and analyze broadband Internet access.   The information is largely compiled by companies providing the service.  Data will be continually updated.

–National Broadband Map http://tinyurl.com/43ulwpf Highlights the differences in broadband availability in rural versus urban areas. It includes speed availability, technology, and provider availability.

–Comments of the Rural Broadband Policy Group http://tinyurl.com/3jegvye Several rural and technology interest groups compiled responses to the request for comments in regards to updating the 2009 Rural Broadband Report. They offer four recommendations: focus on local solutions, establish local job creation and social capital formation benchmarks, collect accurate data, and reclassify Internet service as a Title II service, and implement strong Net Neutrality rules.

–An article in the New York Times says that the Digital Age Is Slow to Arrive in Rural America. The article discusses how as the world embraces its digital age — two billion people now use the Internet regularly — the line delineating two Americas, urban and rural, has become more broadly drawn. To read the article, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3h37jb6.

–American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Working for Rural Communities http://tinyurl.com/3l6o4lj An overview of how Federal investments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) are helping rural communities across the United States win the future by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building our global competition, as President Obama articulated in his 2011 State of the Union address.

–Foreclosure in Rural America: An Update http://tinyurl.com/3lxwfut Report provides new information to update – What is the Housing Foreclosure Situation in Rural America? – Housing Assistance Council’s initial report and assessment of the foreclosure situation in rural America published in 2009.

–The Housing Assistance Council highlights the process one rural manufactured home community undertook to convert from investor to cooperative resident ownership in Preserving Affordable Manufactured Home Communities in Rural America: A Case Study. To download the report, go to:  http://www.ruralhome.org.

–A paper by the Center for Housing Policy and the Cornerstone Partnership, Balancing Asset-Building Opportunities with the Ability to Preserve Affordability in a Homeownership Program, serves as a primer for local governments and nonprofits establishing or looking to refine long-term affordable homeownership programs that effectively balance the preservation of affordability and individual asset-building opportunities. The report is the culmination of a working group led by the Center and funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. To get the report, go to: http://www.nhc.org/media/documents/AB_Principles_FINAL1.pdf.

– Restore Your Shore is a powerful multimedia program for shoreland owners and professionals to use in implementing shoreland restoration and protection projects.  The Restore Your Shore online program will guide you through the process of protecting a natural shoreline or restoring a degraded shore with a natural buffer zone.  To access Restore Your Shore visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/restoreyourshore/index.html

–2010 Minnesota Water Plan.  A November 2010 report by the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board charts a 10-year agenda for protecting and restoring Minnesota’s water resources. The 2010 Minnesota Water Plan, establishes strategies and principles for ensuring the availability and sustainability of clean water for current and future generations.

There is widespread understanding of the challenges Minnesotans face in safeguarding the state’s water resources. Today, 40 percent of tested surface waters are impaired. Additionally, limits to water supplies have become apparent in the metropolitan growth corridor and locally around the state. The challenge for local and state officials is finding locally appropriate solutions for meeting water demands while protecting water quality and ecosystems.

The water plan, prepared every 10 years, identifies steps the state must take to meet its long-term needs. The report details nine strategies and seven principles for sustainable water management. It calls for new efforts to understand state ground-water systems and the role they play in nourishing surface waters and identifies additional steps to protect Minnesota’s lakes and streams. With the support and engagement of local land and water interests, the plan calls for:

* Setting priorities
* Adapting management practices
* Increasing protection efforts
* Promoting the wise use of water
* Restoring local management capacity

The 164-page plan can be downloaded from the web site above, or directly from http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/documents/2010_Minnesota_Water_Plan.pdf

–Webinar: The State of Rural Philanthropy http://tinyurl.com/43rgqwm Archived copy of an hour-long webinar about the current state and future prospects of philanthropy in Rural America. Site provides access to the slide presentation as well as the audio recording.

–Emergency Preparedness and Communities.  As emergencies and disasters regularly occur both in the United State and abroad, one important aspect for communities to consider is how to prepare for these in a manner that will foster local resilience. There are many resources available that can help with this, with the following just being a few examples:

1) Local 20/20, a citizen-based organization working toward local sustainability in the North Olympic peninsula of Washington State (Port Townsend and surrounding communities) includes a detailed section on Emergency Preparedness on its web site at http://tinyurl.com/3dwh4aj

On the Local 20/20 site, you will find:

* A link to GetEmergencyPrepared.com (www.getemergencyprepared.com) whose “Step by Step Course will help guide your family, civic group, church and neighborhood to become emergency prepared to face these and other natural and man-made disasters.” There are 8 basic lessons in this free online course at http://www.getemergencyprepared.com/course.html, including:

- Personal Emergency Preparedness Plan
- Food and Water Supplies
- First Aid Kit, Sanitation & More Water
- Grab n’ Go Backpack Kit and Fires
- More Supplies and Terrorism / Hazmat

- Securing Your Home and Pets
- Community and Emotional Preparedness

- Pandemics, Nuclear Disasters, Retrofitting & Securing Your Home

* A wide range of Emergency Preparedness Downloads at:

http://www.l2020.org/index.php?page=downloads that can help with neighborhood organizing as well as other local preparedness efforts

* A link to an inspiring 27-minute video “Partners in Preparedness – Neighborhoods and Emergency Responders” on how the citizens in this community have built a partnership with their county emergency management department http://www.wordpress.peakmoment.tv/conversations/?p=418

2) In Minnesota, the web site of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management http://www.hsem.state.mn.us/ contains and links to a range of useful preparedness resources, such as:

* An 88-page School Emergency Planning Guide (http://bit.ly/hRJ7Bm)

* Links to volunteer opportunities, such as through the Citizen Corps http://www.citizencorps.gov/

* A link to the Federal government’s comprehensive Ready.gov www.ready.gov preparedness web site

* A link to Minnesota Recovers http://www.minnesotarecovers.org/ which is the “state’s clearinghouse for recovery information for all hazards including natural disasters which may impact Minnesota.”

3) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides dozens of free self-paced online courses for the general public as well as professionals working in the emergency management field which you can access at http://training.fema.gov/IS/

Two of the introductory courses that may be of interest for those working to increase their local community preparedness are:

-Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness  (IS-22)

-A Citizen’s Guide to Disaster Assistance (IS-7)

These and other FEMA independent study courses can be accessed at: http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp

–Classifying and Measuring Agricultural Support: Identifying Differences Between the WTO and OECD Systems.  Most countries provide some level of support to their agricultural sectors. Because support can affect producers and consumers in other countries, a number of systems have been developed to measure agricultural support levels and classify types of support in ways that facilitate comparing them across countries. The WTO and OECD employ similar classification systems, generally addressing the same question and measuring the same programs. However, results can be surprisingly and fundamentally different, rendering comparisons inappropriate, meaningless, or even wrong. Careful attention to the sources of difference can prevent potential misunderstandings and misleading uses. See: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/EIB74/

–NAFTA AT 17: Full Implementation Leads to Increased Trade and Integration, This report is the last in USDA’s series of Congressionally mandated biennial reports on the impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on U.S. agriculture and the rural economy. The report responds to a mandate in the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act of 1993. See: http://wwwers.usda.gov/Publications/WRS1101/

– Roundabouts: An Informational Guide – Second Edition.  This 2010 publication from the Transportation Board of the National Academies “explores the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of roundabouts. The report also addresses issues that may be useful in helping to explain the trade-offs associated with roundabouts.” The guide defines a roundabout as “a form of circular intersection in which traffic travels counterclockwise (in the United States and other right-hand traffic countries) around a central island and in which entering traffic must yield to circulating traffic.” Roundabouts can have benefits in terms of safety, traffic calming, aesthetics, and other factors.  To access this comprehensive 407-page guide for free download it directly from: http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_672.pdf

–The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Center for Community Development Investments http://www.frbsf.org/cdinvestments/ has published a new issue of its journal, the Community Development Investment Review. This issue considers several international community development models that could inform our work domestically and how successful U.S. community development policy could be exported to countries seeking greater financial inclusion and poverty reduction strategies.

Low-income people in the U.S. and abroad face similar challenges: access to credit, housing, jobs, and critical services including health and education. And yet today, those who work on international economic development and community development hardly know each other. This issue of the Review http://tinyurl.com/3mdgunn is dedicated to a simple idea: innovative ideas to solve poverty should not stop at the national border. There are too many good ideas abroad that can help inform our practices domestically, and good ideas here that can be relevant to other countries.