New e-Commerce Webinar Series Kicks Off

As part of the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative, a new Webinar series, beginning October 27, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. (CST) with a one-hour session, will introduce participants to the Connecting Rural Communities: A Guide to Community Information Technology Web-based educational product.  The Webinar will be presented by Rae Montgomery, Bill Shuffstall and Maxine A. Norman, the authors of this excellent program.  This valuable series is hosted by the Southern Rural Development Center and is co-sponsored by the eXtension “Entrepreneurs and Their Communities” team. 

Who should participate?  The hour long Webinar is designed for Extension educators, economic development professionals and other interested parties who have a desire to work with local leaders, citizens, and organizations to build a strong, vibrant plan for introducing and effectively using broadband in their communities.

The e-Commerce 2008 Webinar Series Schedule is as follows:

e-Commerce RFP Announcement Webinar
October 10, 2008
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. CST

Connecting Rural Communities Webinar
October 27, 2008
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. CST

Internet Strategies to Improve Farm Business Management Webinar
November 11, 2008
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. CST

Helping Artisans Reach Global Markets Webinar
November 20, 2008
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. CST

Instructions for signing up for Webinars are below. Future Webinar topics include “e-Commerce as a Strategy for Improving Business Vitality: Lessons Learned from Small Rural Businesses” and “Strengthening Competitive Advantage of Rural Businesses with e-Commerce and Experience Economy Strategies.” For questions about Webinars, contact Shannon Turner at shannont@srdc.msstate.edu.

Webinar Instructions

To join a Webinar session, log on to: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/srdc.

When you go to that URL you will find yourself at a login page.  Simply enter your name under the "Enter as a Guest" heading.  Click on "Enter Room."  The instructions that detail how to join the integrated phone audio conference will be on the screen when you join the meeting.  

Anytime before any of the above meetings you can visit the following URL to confirm your ability to connect to the Connect server: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/testconnect/

2008 e-Commerce Curricula RFP Released

The SRDC is excited to announce an opportunity for Extension educators to promote e-Commerce development by implementing one of the curriculum products that will be showcased as part of its e-Commerce 2008 Webinar Series launching this fall.  Extension educators are invited to apply for mini–grants of $3,000 to implement these curricula designed to serve as catalysts for e-Commerce growth. Successful grantees will provide training and leadership to implement one or more e-Commerce learning modules in single or multiple counties/parishes.

Each grantee will have the exciting task of employing cutting edge e-Commerce educational resources designed with rural services areas in mind.  Additionally, grantees will be working closely with the staff of the Southern Rural Development Center to create initial program benchmarks and track long-term community impacts.

For more information about the RFP, an introductory Webinar will be conducted October 10, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. CST to introduce the full RFP and to discuss the application process. Instructions for signing up for Webinars are below.

For questions, contact Shannon Lane Turner, SRDC e-Commerce Extension Initiative Coordinator, at shannont@srdc.msstate.edu.

Download the full Request for Proposals

View current curricula.

About the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative

The economic foundation of rural America has experienced dramatic changes over the past two decades. These changes have made it increasingly important for rural businesses to use e-Commerce strategies to strengthen their economic health and stability, improve their market share and catapult the efficiency of their products and services.

In response to these changes, the Southern Rural Development Center, in partnership with CSREES/USDA, administers the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative. This initiative, launched in 2003, is addressing various factors that will dictate the adoption and diffusion of e-Commerce innovations in rural areas. These factors include such topics as whether rural areas have the technology in place to embrace e-Commerce applications, whether these businesses understand how e-Commerce can benefit their operations, and whether Extension educators have the resources to provide adequate educational support to small businesses.

Mississippi State University Extension Service, the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service and the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service were initially funded as pilot projects. In latter years a small grants program has been initiated, and seven projects funded over the course of 2005 and 2006.