Upcoming NARDeP webinar focuses on Farm Bill
The National Agricultural & Rural Development Policy Center (NARDeP) is offering a free webinar, "If Congress Passes It, Will Farmers Sign Up? Farmer Conservation Program Participation and the 2012 Farm Bill," on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at noon (Eastern). Led by NARDeP postdoctoral fellow Adam Reimer, the session will explore how changes to Farm Bill conservation programs might affect farmers' willingness to participate.
Currently, Farm Bill conservation programs rely on farmer participation to achieve environmental goals. New proposals in the Senate and House of Representatives include changes to the conservation title that could impact farmers and their participation.
To access the free webinar, go to http://connect.msu.edu/nardep, and "enter as a guest," the default setting. Please type your name, and click "enter room."
NARDeP was formed by the Regional Rural Development Centers in response to the increasingly contentious and complex agricultural and rural development policy issues. The new Center is funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under a competitive grant, and works with the land-grant college and university systems and other national organizations, agencies, and experts to develop and deliver timely policy-relevant information around the following broad thematic areas: 1) farm and agriculture sectors; 2) the environment; 3) rural families, households, and economies; and 4) consumers, food, and nutrition.
Program Leadership Network conference registration now open
Online registration and conference information is now available for this summer’s Joint Meeting of the Southern Region Program Leadership Network, Association of Extension Administrators and Association of Southern Region Extension Directors, set for Aug. 19-23 in Nashville. This year’s theme is “Connecting Our Communities: Preparing for the Next 100 Years.” As the Land Grant System celebrates its first 100 years of the Smith-Lever Act, we look forward to what the next century will bring. Advances in technologies, changes in communities, and expanded partnership opportunities are among just a few of the possibilities as we move forward. Register by July 15 for the early bird discount!
Read More | May 16, 2013
Rural unemployment falls, but jobs decline
The eXtension Entrepreneurship webinar series finishes the season with presentations of interest to farmers' market vendors and farmstand owners. A free June 13 webinar, “Are you a Supermarket Vendor or a Super Market Vendor?” will be hosted by with Ginger Myers, UMD Extension Marketing Specialist.
Read More | May 16, 2013
Are you a Supermarket Vendor or a Super Market Vendor?” webinar airs June 13
The eXtension Entrepreneurship webinar series finishes the season with presentations of interest to farmers' market vendors and farmstand owners. A free June 13 webinar, “Are you a Supermarket Vendor or a Super Market Vendor?” will be hosted by with Ginger Myers, UMD Extension Marketing Specialist.
Read More | May 16, 2013
Immigration and the Rural Workforce
In key parts of rural America and ag-dependent metro counties, more than 25 percent of the population was born in a foreign country. The percentage of the U.S. population born in foreign countries isn’t as great in rural areas as it in metro America, but the foreign-born population has been on the increase in non-metro areas, especially since 1990. The USDA Economic Research has followed this trend and has published a background report on “Immigration and the Rural Workforce.”
Read More | April 16, 2013
Manufacturing Summit highlights partnerships that promote rural jobs
The SRDC took part in a recent Manufacturing Summit at Mississippi State University, which highlighted the importance of communities working across county lines to bring jobs to rural regions of the state.
Read More | April 8, 2013
Nearly half of rural counties report more deaths than births
Is your county dying? The U.S. Census issued a report last week that counted births and deaths in all U.S. counties from the end of June 2011 to July 1, 2012. There were more deaths than births in 36 percent of the nation's 3,100-plus counties. In rural counties, the percentage of places with more deaths than births was even higher. Nearly half (46 percent) had more deaths than births. A number of news reports carried headlines saying that these counties were "dying."
Read More | March 20, 2013
USDA Economic Research Service proposes Rural Innovation Survey
On February 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a request for comments on a proposed Rural Establishment Innovation Survey. This survey of business establishments will be conducted over a 6-month period to collect information on rural tradable business sectors such as manufacturing and professional services. The information will further understanding on the adoption of innovative practices and their contribution to firm productivity; the availability and use of local and regional assets (such as workforce education, local financial institutions, strong local business and other economic associations, and transportation infrastructure) and the association of these assets with successful adjustment; and the extent and importance of participation in federal, state, and local programs designed to promote rural business vitality and growth. Comments are due by April 8.
Read More | February 15, 2013