USDA invites applications for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is accepting applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).
"Renewable energy development presents an enormous economic opportunity for rural America," said Vilsack. "This funding will assist rural farmers, ranchers and business owners to build renewable energy projects, providing opportunities for new technologies, create green jobs and help America become more energy self-sufficient."
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nation's critical energy needs. For 2012, USDA has approximately $25.4 million budget authority available to fund REAP activities, which will support at least $12.5 million in grant and approximately $48.5 million in guaranteed loan program level awards. USDA is accepting the following applications:
- renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications until March 30, 2012;
- renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications on a continuous basis up to June 29, 2012;
- renewable energy system feasibility study applications through March 30, 2012; and
- energy audits and renewable energy development assistance applications through February 21, 2012.
More information on how to apply for funding is available in the January 20, 2012 Federal Register pages 2948 through 2954.
Visit the USDA website for further information on this funding opportunity.
Going Digital: The Pros and Cons of Promoting Online Food Assistance Applications
The expansion of e-government is reshaping how disadvantaged groups access the social safety net. In 2011, 46.2 million people (or 14.8 percent of Americans) received Food Stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Persistent evidence suggests that low-income, less-educated, and older individuals, groups who are more likely to use publicly-funded services, are less likely to use the internet, yet very little is known about clients' experiences with emerging, modernized, internet-based public assistance administration systems.
What do disadvantaged clients think about internet-based application and recertification processes for social programs that provide critical financial support during these difficult economic times? Colleen Heflin, Andrew London and Peter Mueser address this question in their RIDGE Center for Targeted Studies-supported research, "Clients' Perspectives on a Technology-Based Food Assistance Application System." In this study, they interviewed 26 individuals in 2009 who were applying for SNAP benefits in Florida, which moved to an online-only application system in 2005.
Read More | February 16, 2012
SRDC Data Center updated with southern region state and county profiles
Profiles from every county in the 13 southern states are now updated with the latest demographic, education, social and economic data. State level data—overall and by metro and noncore areas of the state—are provided as well. The data in most profiles are presented over 2-3 points in time—1990, 2000, and 2010.
Read More | February 1, 2012
NIF releases economic security report
The National Issues Forums has released a new report, "Public Thinking about Economic Security: How Should We Take Charge of Our Future," that analyzes the results of a series of citizen discussions about economic security that took place from Sept. 2010 to April 2011 in 33 states, including nine from the Southern region. Find out what these citizens thought about self-disciplined spending, supporting local businesses and our national debt. Download the full report.
SRDC pilots ReadyCommunity disaster preparedness initiative
Six communities across the country will serve as pilot sites for ReadyCommunity, a national initiative led by the Southern Rural Development Center to assist rural places with disaster planning and response.
Read More | January 11, 2012
Nominations for 2012 Bonnie Teater Community Development Award due March 2
This year's Bonnie Teater Community Development Educator Lifetime Achievement Award will honor an administrator, specialist or agent in the Southern Region who has made significant contributions to the Extension community development for at least 10 years. Named in honor of Ms. Teater, an SRDC staff member for more than 30 years, the award comes with a $500 stipend. Nomination deadline is Friday, March 2, 2012. Get complete nomination process information at http://srdc.msstate.edu/funding/bonnieteater/.
Read More | January 11, 2012