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Previous Training Activities

 

  • Missouri 4-H Youth Entrepreneurship: Cultivating “Cloverpreneurs” in the Show Me State
    November 12, 2009
    On Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 2 p.m. EDT; 1 p.m. CDT; 12 noon MDT; 11 a.m. PDT the eXtension Entrepreneurs & Their Communities webinar topic was Missouri 4-H Youth Entrepreneurship: Cultivating “Cloverpreneurs” in the Show Me State. Steve Henness is Extension Associate with the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development. Steve provides leadership for 4-H programs and events in Youth/Adult Partnerships and Youth Entrepreneurship. He directs the MU Extension Youth Enterprisers Program, a statewide AmeriCorps*VISTA project placing full-time adult volunteers in assignments to build community entrepreneurial capacity. As a teen, Steve operated his own lawn mowing business, and as a 4-H leader, now supports youth in discovering “green” market opportunities in their “green” 4-H Clover experiences.

    Topics covered:
    • Introducing entrepreneurship as a 4-H project area
    • VISTA/national service programs
    • 4-H youth/alumni entrepreneurship stories
    • Youth business startup guides
    • Summer camps
    • County/state fairs
  • Foundations of Practice in Community Development
    September 29, 2009 - November 11, 2009
    Component One, Understanding Communities and Their Dynamics, was a distance education program consisting of a series of seven, one and one-half hour sessions. The focus was on understanding community, the dynamic components of community, Principles of Practice, community demographics, community economics, power structures, situational analyses and roles of Extension, community sustainability, and community development processes.
  • Urban Webcast Series
    Southern Region Program Leadership Network (PLN) Middle Management Urban Task Force

    The Southern Region Program Leadership Network (PLN) broadcast via Centra from TAMU the following four webcasts:

    Nov. 4, 2009 - Ongoing Legislative Contacts (TX)
    Jan. 27, 2010 – Garnering Grants in the County (FL)
    April 7, 2010 - Extensions Value in Metropolitan/Urban Areas (WI)
    Aug. 11, 2010 - St. Collaborations Pay Dividends for County Programs (GA)


  • New Energy. New Jobs. New Opportunities for Appalachia.
    An Appalachian Regional Commission Conference
    October 26-28, 2009
    Athens, Ohio
    The demand for clean energy and efficient energy use is creating a new energy sector and generating new opportunities for business growth and job creation. How can Appalachian communities grow green jobs in today’s evolving energy economy? ARC’s October 2009 New Energy. New Jobs. New Opportunities for Appalachia conference shared ideas and best practices on how communities can use their energy resources and emerging energy technologies and practices to diversify and strengthen their economies. Topics included growing green enterprises, developing energy-efficient facilities, and building new-energy education and training programs and explore how your community can benefit from the economic opportunities of the clean-energy sector. The conference was held October 26–28 at Ohio University's John Calhoun Baker University Center, One Park Place, Athens, Ohio 45701.

  • Effectively Working with Latino Farmworkers Webinar
    October 28, 2009
    SERA 37 held its first 45 minute lecture/webinar on How to Effectively Serve Latino Farmworkers  (by Cesar Asuaje - Expert working with Latino Farmworkers and Landscapers) on Wednesday October 28th at 2pm EST.  Following his lecture was 15 minutes of questions and answers.

  • Economic Gardening
    October 8, 2009
    On Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 2:00pm (EST);1:00 p.m. CST; 12:00 p.m. MST; 11:00 a.m. PST the eXtension Entrepreneurs & Their Communities Webinar topic was Economic Gardening. Chris Gibbons, Director of Business/Industry Affairs in Littleton, CO led the discussion. In 1989, the Littleton City Council decided to focus their economic development efforts on investing in local businesses rather than the traditional approach of luring businesses to Littleton from elsewhere by offering incentives and tax breaks. Chris Gibbons, director of the Business/ Industry Affairs office, has developed and refined this economic gardening approach over the past 20 years. The conversation discussed over two decades of Economic Gardening.

  • 10th Annual National Outreach Scholarship Conference
    September 28-30, 2009
    Athens, Georgia

    The 10th National Outreach Scholarship Conference will be held on the University of Georgia campus in September 2009. The goal of this partnership, and the goal of this annual conference, is to advance the national dialogue about the civic connections made by colleges and universities with their local communities, as well as with communities across the country and around the world. How are these civic connections developed and sustained — by institutions, by faculty members, and by students? How do we assure that learning and research contribute to the well-being of the immediate local community in which an institution resides? How do we do so in an international context? Please join us as we explore the increasingly important topic of the civic purpose of higher education.

  • Community and Faith Leadership Development Conference
    September 24-25, 2009
    Lake Charles, Louisiana
    An eventful, action packed two-day conference with hands-on working sessions with topics in the areas of housing, health and wellness, economic development and leadership development. Participants will leave with skills and strategies that can be used to directly impact their communities, bringing back the tradition of the church and community working hand-in-hand. This conference will be one where participants are actively involved in the learning process, taking ideas and resources to further enhance their church and community. Registration has been extended through September 1, 2009.

  • Visual Merchandising as a Marketing Tool
    September 10, 2009
    On Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 2:00pm (EST);1:00 p.m. CST; 12:00 p.m. MST; 11:00 a.m. PST the eXtension Entrepreneurs & Their Communities webinar topic was Visual Merchandising as a Marketing Tool.Glenn Muske, Oklahoma State University led an informative session on how to use displays, product arrangement to draw customers to your business. Visual merchandising is an excellent way to attract attention to your business. It also can provide information and even "close the deal." Visual merchandising is more than just making it pretty but acts as a silent saleperson. This webinar discussed why the owner should consider visual merchandising as a tool and how it can be done. Basic principles and design elements were discussed plus examples of how small business owners have used these in practice. How visual merchandising can be done at low cost was also a part of the program.

  • 2009 Joint Meeting of SR-PLN, AEA & ASRED
    August 24-28, 2009
    Orlando, Florida
    Online registration is now open for the 2009 SR-PLN, AEA & ASRED Joint Meeting to be held in Orlando, Florida on August 24-28, 2009. This year’s theme, “Meeting the Challenges of a Changing World - Staying Relevant, Maintaining Funding and Adapting to Shifting Needs and Priorities” will address the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (The New Farm Bill), what it means for PLN, how it will be paid for, and changes to be expected in years to come.

  • Entrepreneurs and Their Communities Webinar Series
    October 29, 2008 – June 6, 2009
    The Entrepreneurs & Their Communities team offers a free monthly Webinar on a variety of issues of interest to small business owners, farmers, business coaches and mentors. Upcoming topics include the following:
    The Webinars are presented live on the second Wednesday of each month at 2:00 pm (eastern), 1:00 pm (central), 12:00 pm (mountain) and 11:00 am (pacific). All Webinars are recorded and archived for on-demand viewing.

  • Engaging Youth In Entrepreneurship Webinar
    June 10, 2009

  • [Archived Webinar]

    On Wednesday, June 10 at 2:00 (EST);1:00 p.m. CST; 12:00 p.m. MST; 11:00 a.m. PST the eXtension Entrepreneurs & Their Communities webinar topic will be Engaging Youth in Entrepreneurship.  Join Mary Emery, Iowa State University, Laura Allen, Career Education Coordinator, Michigan State University Extension, Debra Kantor, University of Maine, and Patricia Fairchild, Nebraska 4-H Curriculum Design and Youth Entrepreneur Specialist for an informative session on how to engage youth in entrepreneurship. The session will introduce the Youth Entrepreneurship Community of Practice and their project to create a matrix of youth entrepreneurship programs. Patricia Fairchild will introduce the Nebraska curriculum and Laura Allen will present on the Beyond the Lemonade Stand PROJECT which used the curriculum “Be the E.” Please feel free to join us on June 10, 2:00 p.m. EST; 1:00 p.m. CST; 12:00 p.m. MST; 11:00 a.m. PST.


SERA-37 Annual Conference: The Future of Latino/Hispanic Programming in the South
March 23, 2009
Interactive Classroom Conference
Extension educators and faculty interested in serving Latinos in the South, gathered for the 2009 Annual SERA-37 Conference on March 23rd from 2-5 PM Eastern Standard Time via the Internet. Topics of discussion included developing a five-year strategic plan, staying connected and focused, and determining what SERA-37 needs to accomplish in 2009 and beyond. This three-hour Web-conference used a technology called Polycom that allows participants to see each other on large screen TVs making communication possible between the many sites. View SERA-37 Page.

e-Commerce 2008 Webinar Series
As part of the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative, a new Webinar series, began October 27, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. (CST). The hour long Webinars 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 was as follows:

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

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

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

Strengthening Competitive Advantage of Rural Businesses with e-Commerce and Experience Economy Strategies
December 16, 2008
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. CST
Archived Webinar


Esperanza:  A Conference for Uniting, Dreaming and Making It Happen
October 22-24, 2008
The Thomas and King Leadership and Conference Center at Georgetown College
100 Stadium Drive
Georgetown, Kentucky 40324
KSU’s Hispanic Initiative partnered with various organizations in the Bluegrass area to present “ESPERANZA”…a conference for uniting, dreaming, and making it happen! 

Bridging the Culture Divide Inclusive Extension Programming for Latinos
October 14-15, 2008
Raleign, North Carolina
Extension professionals learned about immigration trends in the southern U.S., implications for Extension educators, and effective methods of reaching and including Latinos/Hispanics in Extension programming.  This interactive training provided Extension professionals of all disciplines with the tools to address challenges associated with changing demographics and included train-the-trainer materials for use in teaching others how to develop effective local programs.  Bridging the Culture Divide: Inclusive Extension Programming for Latinos was sponsored by the New Hispanic South (SERA-37), the Southern Rural Development Center and North Carolina State University-Cooperative Extension.


2008 SERA-19 Conference Research Trends: Determining the Future of Health Programming 
August 4-6, 2008
Houston Marriott Medical Center Houston, TX
The 2008 SERA-19 Conference theme was “Research Trends: Determining the Future of Health Programming.” The theme was chosen to reflect this year’s focus on the cutting edge research influencing all aspects of health programming in rural areas. This year's meeting was held at the Houston Marriott Medical Center August 4-6, 2008. For more information on the conference or on the work of SERA-19. Visit the SERA-19 Page.

What's Driving Food Prices?
July 30, 2008
Webinar
Farm Foundation's report, What's Driving Food Prices?, is a comprehensive, objective assessment of the forces driving food prices.  Click here to read the full report and to hear audio interviews with Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin and the report's lead author, Wallace Tyner of Purdue University.   The report was discussed with Tyner and fellow authors Christopher Hurt and Philip Abbott, also of Purdue University, in a free webinar hosted by Farm Foundation at 1 p.m. EDT July 30.

Business Retention and Expansion Training
July 20-22, 2008
Galveston, Texas
Based on education and training needs identified by BRE practitioners, the BREI Basic Course introduced participants to the elements of a successful BRE program. The course provided an assessment and planning framework that can be used to evaluate an established business retention program or design a program tailored to the specific needs and capacity of the local community

eXtension youth entrepreneurship webinar Wednesday
 June 18, 2008 from 1:30pm-2:30pm
Co-presenters Gae Broadwater, Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension and Mark Johnson, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development shared some history and insights related to their Youth Entrepreneurship Camp and Marilyn Kipp, Executive Director for Marketplace for Kids introduced us to this exciting program from North Dakota.

For Any questions in this regard please contact Mary Peabody

Building Communities Education
 Webinar format
June 13, 2008 - Community Development - The Art & Science of Putting It All Together

SRDC Partnered with NERCRD to Host Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium
June 4-6, 2008
State College, Pa.

The First Annual Land-Grant Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium, or Land-Grant YES, was held June 4-6, 2008, at Penn State University. Hosted by The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development in partnership with the SRDC, Land-Grant YES brought educators and program leaders from eastern United States and beyond together for a face-to-face symposium focused on youth entrepreneurship best practices, research findings and future program development. To register and for more information, visit http://nercrd.psu.edu/Entrepreneurship/YESymposium.html

Immigration Reform:  Implications for Farmers, Farm Workers, and Communities
May 08-09, 2008
Lexington, Kentucky

At least 50 percent of US farm workers are unauthorized. Immigration reform may provide a path to legal status for some currently unauthorized farm workers and make it easier for farm employers to employ legal guest workers under a revised H-2A temporary worker program.  The purpose of this conference was to assess the provisions of pending immigration reform proposals, the roles of legal and unauthorized farm workers in US agriculture and of MSFW programs in integrating migrants and their children, and the implications of continued immigration for rural communities.

The conference was organized with the support of the Farm and Giannini Foundations, with additional support from the Southern Rural Development Center and the Institute for the Study of International Migration.  Conference proceedings are available by clicking here.  http://migration.ucdavis.edu/cf/index.php

Stepping Up to Sustainability:  3rd Minnesota Conference on Sustainable Tourism
April 15, 2008
Duluth, MN

The Stepping Up to Sustainability conference was a rousing success!  Many great ideas and examples were shared by presenters and attendees.

Course Objective:

  • Build capacity to implement sustainable tourism practices
  • Enhance knowledge about sustainable tourism practices
  • Share best practices & practical applications
  • Provide access to information & research to implement sustainable tourism


Economic Diversity Training

Date: May 16-20, 2005
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

Smart Growth in the Rural South
May 13-14, 2003
Lexington, Kentucky

The Southern United States is facing great challenges involving land use and growth management. With rapid economic and population growth have come the challenges of suburbanization and urban sprawl. Rural communities are searching for answers to these challenges such as planning and zoning. At the same time, landowners are worried about their ability to use private property.

Course Objective: To provide state specialists and county agents with awareness of current issues and tools for addressing educational programming for smart growth in the rural South. Emphasis was on developing a foundation for the navigation of land use issues in communities along with tools to assist communities in the search for a balance between public and private interests.

Course Outline: Participants gained a solid foundation in the land use issues including: 1) what is "smart growth," 2) legal basis for land use planning, 3) multi-modal transportation planning, 4) downtown revitalization concepts, 5) farmland and open space preservation strategies, and 6) local government finances and land use.

 

Rural Tourism: Virtual Institute for Small Town and Rural Development

Do you want to stimulate the development of rural tourism in ways that will substantially benefit both the quality of life of individual rural families and improve the economic stability for rural communities?

Course Objective: Key concepts include significance of rural tourism, planning and managing rural tourism, rural tourism business opportunities, marketing and economics of tourism. Heritage tourism and ecotourism, two major components of rural tourism, were explored in specific case studies or practical examples for application.

Course Outline: Case studies in this course focused on a rural county in northeastern North Carolina. This county once depended upon agriculture for survival but today is witnessing the daily struggle of farmers and rural communities to maintain economic stability and their quality of life. Its poverty ranking is fourth out of 100 counties. Ranked 20th in unemployment, this county is still proud of its heritage, both its cultural and natural resources. Course participants learned to apply course concepts to their unique situation in their state or county.

 

Economic Impact Analysis
February 25-27, 2003
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Communities often experience significant changes in the local economic base. A first step in responding to change is understanding the magnitude of the change. Change can be represented by a new business moving to the community, increased tourism activity or in-migrating retirees.

Course Objective: Economic impact analysis offers an approach to quantify the impacts of these types of change on the local economy. Often local leaders may also desire to estimate the impacts of existing business or industry. For example, what are the economic impacts of local manufacturing firms or the local health care sectors? Again, impact assessment provides methodologies for measurement.

Course Outline: This training session provided an overview of economic impact analysis and provide case studies. Specific topics addressed will include economic analysis versus fiscal impact analysis; what is the multiplier; using impact analysis in Extension programming; measuring economic impacts of the health care sector; IMPLAN — a tool for analysis; and using IMPLAN for target industry analysis.

 

Value-Added Entrepreneurship
December 3-5, 2002
Franklin (Nashville), Tennessee

With an eye toward an ever changing business environment, entrepreneurs will be on the lookout for opportunities to expand their operations — many times through value-added products.

Course Objective: To prepare Extension faculty to develop and implement an economic development program based on entrepreneurship for businesses focusing on value-added agricultural products. These products are broadly defined and may include (but certainly not be limited to) food processing firms, primary, secondary, and tertiary producers of forest products, agri-tourism firms and more.

Course Outline: This course was designed to be an in-depth examination of the factors critical in developing value-added projects. Specific topics included developing a business plan; developing a marketing feasibility study for a new product and/or new organization including instruction on conducting marketing research; developing a marketing plan including advertising alternatives; developing technical feasibility analysis and operational plan; developing a management plan and/or management analysis; and financial feasibility analysis for a new product.

 

Rural Health Institute
November 4-8, 2002
Talladega, Alabama

Extension professionals are increasingly being asked questions about health systems and their role in the community. In the complex world of healthcare, providing answers isn't always an easy task.

Course Objective: This training is designed to provide Extension professionals with a unique opportunity to participate in an intensive state of the art health training program. It was designed to give participants an increased understanding of health systems, Extension's role in health, and tools and strategies for working with individual, family and community health issues.

Course Outline: Specific topics included organization of a health system; the language of health; vital statistics/community health assessment; facilitation and skillbuilding for local decisionmakers; helping decisionmakers maintain primary care services in rural communities; and designing effective health education programs.

Community Development Institute
Sept. 23-27, 2002
Talladega, Alabama

If you are interested in expanding community development skills to state, multicounty or county Extension educators in your state, and are looking for a solid set of educational resources to use in the delivery of an introductory program on community development, then you'll want to attend this year's Southern Region Community Development Institute (CDI).

Course Objective: The 2002 CDI program was designed to operate as a “train-the-trainer” workshop. It covered many of the key components associated with community development work. As such, the course was designed to equip state teams with the skills and resources needed to initiate a CDI training program in their own states.

Course Outline: Participants were provided an excellent overview of the major components of a strong community development program. It explored the social dimension of the community (such as local institutions, leadership structure, uncovering community assets, civic engagement and dealing with conflict), its economic complexion (such as economic development options, business retention and expansion strategies), and the community's service infrastructure (such as health clinics/hospitals, adult day care facility, solid waste and rural transportation). This course served as an excellent foundation for the more specialized training programs being offered by SRDC.

Improving Board and Organizational Effectiveness
July 25-26, 2002
Charleston, South Carolina

Extension specialists are more and more frequently called upon to support the efforts of voluntary and nonprofit organizations. But where do Extension professionals turn for assistance?

Course Objective: This training course provided educational resources that deal with the current environment facing our nonprofit and voluntary organization boards.

Course Outline: Specific features of the training included nonprofit organization board of yesterday and tomorrow; getting everyone on the same page; staying out of trouble inside and outside the organization; increasing standards and accountability among board members; positioning your organization to gain support in the community; increasing risk management awareness while improving service.