Connecting the community and its members to the world through the Internet is becoming increasingly essential for community vitality.  Yet, within rural communities, this task can be challenging.  Connecting Rural Communities, the most recently released curriculum in the National E-Commerce Initiative, is designed to help rural communities conquer this challenge.  Developed by William Shuffstall, Sheila Sager, Rae Montgomery, & Dana Noonan, this guide is designed to enhance the use and adoption of information technology tools and infrastructure in rural communities. Cooperative extension educators and community leaders can use this guide to improve:

• The availability of access to broadband connectivity across the community;
• The ability of organizations in the community to use digital technology to achieve their mission and goals; and
• The ability of individuals in the community to use digital technology to improve their social and economic well-being.

Expanding awareness and adoption of Internet-based technologies by farm managers is the focus of a newly released curriculum by the SRDC. Authored by Sarah Roth, Jeffrey Hyde and Ellie Hollobaugh Vranich of Penn State University, the curriculum focuses on six major topics including The Internet as a Communications Tool, Business Planning and Market Research on the Internet, and Developing and Maintaining Your Web Site. The curriculum is the result of a grant from the SRDC as part of its leadership for the National E-Commerce Extension Initiative, an effort supported by a grant from the CSREES/USDA.