SR-PLN

Coordination of programs and sharing resources within the region has been a long-standing priority of Southern Extension Administrators and Directors. For years, the Southern Extension Directors looked to four program committees to share resources and coordinate programs across the Southern region--Agriculture and Natural Resources, Home Economics, 4-H Youth, and Community Resource Development. Extension Administrators.

This worked well until the economic, social, and political environments in the South and nation began changing so rapidly and frequently that a new structure was required, one that would enable the system to respond rapidly with multidisciplinary, issues-based programs.

Rural communities in America are facing some tough challenges. Creating quality jobs, giving kids a shot at a good education, providing decent health care, providing opportunities for more people to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities, and creating hope for the future represent just a handful of the key issues facing many rural communities today.

A key to helping rural communities become competitive in the new economy is to work simultaneously on developing the skills of the people who live there and diversifying the economic base that supports the community. Because of their commitment to building both people and places, rural community and tribal colleges are ideally positioned to become catalysts for regional development.

E-Commerce

The Southern Rural Development Center, located at Mississippi State University, serves as the lead entity for The Rural E-Commerce Extension Initiative: A National Demonstration Project, an important effort designed to introduce, strengthen and expand the delivery of Extension-based e-commerce educational outreach programs relevant to the needs of small businesses, governments, and communities in rural America. This project is funded by the U.S. Congress through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.

NACDEP

NACDEP is an organization dedicated to improving the visibility, coordination, professional status and resource base of community and economic development Extension programs and professionals.

Health SERA

SERA-19 Rural Health is a multi-state information exchange group comprised of professionals that are concerned about the health and well-being of communities across the Southern region. The representatives, including professionals in the land-grant system, offices of rural health, medical and nursing schools, and state health departments, promote collaboration among the disciplines involved.