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Items of Interest
2022 SERA 47 Annual Meeting
We are happy to announce the 2022 SERA-47 Virtual Annual Meeting. Attendees will participate in 3 days of engaging and informative discussions on best practices in local and regional food systems. The meeting dates are December 14 – 16, 2022. The tentative schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, December 14: 10:00AM – 12:00PM EST
Thursday, December 15: 1:00PM – 3:00PM EST
Friday, December 16: 9:00AM – 11:00AM EST
A more detailed schedule will follow in the coming weeks. Register here.
2022 Broadband Issue Brief Webinar Series
Are you interested in learning more about bridging the digital divide by advancing digital access and literacy? The Southern Rural Development Center is hosting a webinar series to share research that can help to inform Extension efforts. Presenters will discuss recently published Broadband Issue Briefs and the Regional Rural Development Center’s recent Listening Sessions initiative.
The webinars will be hosted in three parts, to view more information and to register for the webinars, review the flyer.
SRDC Partners with APLU to Contribute to Knowledge About What Works for Rural Broadband Access
SRDC was pleased to assist APLU in a project that resulted in a recently published Theme issue of the Journal Choices features faculty from APLU member universities and describes how they are working in their communities to expand access to rural broadband, evaluate broadband efforts, and scale approaches that work.
The publication, entitled “Making it Count: Applying Science to Support Universal Broadband” was edited by APLU Strategic Advisor for Economic and Community Development Sheila Martin. It includes articles from faculty of APLU member universities including Oklahoma State University, Washington State University, Purdue University, University of Missouri, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Georgia Tech, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Clemson University, and Penn State University.
Expanded investments in rural broadband will only be effective if guided by accurate data, community-driven planning, engaged research, and successful models. This issue explores how to apply the best information and processes to guide effective investments of limited resources to expand access.
The issue is the result of two virtual conferences supported by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture that intentionally paired university faculty with Cooperative Extension to ensure connectivity between research and extension in the area of rural broadband. The issue is the result of two virtual conferences supported by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture that intentionally paired university faculty with Cooperative Extension to ensure connectivity between research and extension in the area of rural broadband. The content was guided by an advisory committee including Monica Babine, Wendy Fink, Robert Gallardo, Sascha Meinrath, Rachel Welborn, Brian Whitacre, and Milan Ephraim.
Regional Spotlight
Rural Georgia Growing Stronger
Rural Georgia: Growing Stronger is an interdisciplinary, collaborative initiative led by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension to help farmers and farm families thrive by promoting well-being and addressing their stress and mental health needs.
There are multiple projects in the initiative, all focused on sharing information, creating allies, and building networks to support farmers and their families. Our activities include offering information about well-being and stress management at field days and agricultural conferences, providing training on farmer stress to Extension agents and Georgia Farm Service Agency managers, and leading community-level listening sessions to hear directly from farm families about their needs.
One innovation led by Rural Georgia: Growing Stronger is the Farm Stress Production Meeting project. We provide support to farmers by embedding stress management and mental health information and resources into existing Extension production meetings. During these meetings, farmers are offered blood pressure screenings where providers discuss stress management and its links to health. Additionally, they are offered an information packet on stress and health. Also, farmers listen to a brief talk from a therapist with farming roots as part of the meeting. Farmers have been positive about receiving screenings and resources, and after each meeting at least two farmers have contacted the therapist for more information. Extension agents, initially cautious about addressing the topic of farmer stress, are expressing greater confidence in talking about the issue after these meetings.
To read the full article, download Rural Georgia Growing Stronger.
Employee Highlight: Dr. Julie Robinson, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Dr. Julie Robinson is an Associate Professor-Leadership at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UADA) where she is responsible for leadership development programs to external clientele and Division of Agriculture personnel. Dr. Robinson also provides leadership training to UADA departments, state agencies, nonprofits and other entities and has authored fact sheets and other educational materials to support this work. Additionally, she serves as director of LeadAR, an 18-month statewide leadership program that brings together rural and urban Arkansans to broaden their understanding of issues and opportunities facing our state and strengthen their ability to make a difference. Prior to her current role, Dr. Robinson served as an Associate Professor–Program and Staff Development and an Assistant Professor- Instructional Design with UADA.
In 2021, Dr. Robinson launched iLEAD, a program for UADA employees to aid in strengthening their leadership skills and address real-world challenges facing the organization. She also initiated the Beginning Farmer Training and Mentoring of Conservation Practices and Partnerships. The goal of the project is to provide a certification program that increases beginning farmers’ participation in conservation programs and their probability of implementing conservation practices by enrolling them in conservation programs, and sustained success in agricultural production.
Grant Connections
STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT: USDA Accepting Applications to Spur Job Growth and Economic Development in Rural Areas
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2022
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) is accepting applications for funding to help create jobs and economic growth in rural communities. USDA is making loans and grants available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. Through this program, USDA provides zero-interest loans and grants to current and former Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Program and Telecommunications Program borrowers and utilities that are eligible to receive assistance from the RUS Electric or Telecommunication Programs.
Applicants will use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that will create and retain jobs or finance community facility projects. Projects must be in rural areas or towns with a population of 50,000 or less.
Applications must be submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office where the project is located no later than 4:30 p.m. local time on the following dates: Second Quarter: Dec. 31, 2022; Third Quarter: March 31, 2023; Fourth Quarter: June 30, 2023.
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local USDA Rural Development State Office well in advance of the application deadline to ask questions about their project, the program, or the application process. Additional information is available on page 53443 of the Aug 31, 2022, Federal Register. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
Job Opportunities
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Research Professor/Associate Director, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD)
Applications review began on November 10, 2022. Position starting date is December 1, 2022, or as negotiated. Open until filled.
The NERCRD at Pennsylvania State University (PSU) is accepting applications for a limited-term, Non-Tenure Track Assistant Research Professor/Associate Director. The NERCRD is a part of the Depart. Of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education. The research professor/associate director will lead the Center’s outreach-oriented activities along with the Director. This position has remote and on-site work options available. Applicants should upload a letter of application, names, and addresses of three professional references, curriculum vitae, and official transcripts at the PSU webpage. If you have any questions, please contact Stephan J. Goetz, Depart. Of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education at PSU.
Oklahoma State University (OSU) Assistant Director/State Program Leader for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Economic Development
Applications review began September 9, 2022. Position is to be filled by January 1, 2023.
OSU seeks an innovative and creative leader to identify, plan, implement, coordinate, evaluate and report statewide Extension Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Economics Development programs with campus and field staff to address critical needs of Oklahomans. The Assistant Director/Program Leader is reports to the Associate Vice President, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES). The tenure track professor position is to be filled by January 1, 2023, or as soon thereafter as a suitable candidate is available. Interested applicants must apply via OSU’s online applicant tracking system for the position labeled req12058.
Assistant Administrator, Community Development and Outreach at Fort Valley State University
Open until filled
The assistant Administrator for Community Development and Outreach will develop, coordinate, and facilitate programming through the Cooperative Extension Program designed to assist communities to realize their long-term goals; through provision of education, technical assistance and opportunities to secure grants that support strategic planning and community visioning in order to provide a foundation for economic development. Coordinate or assist in the coordination of programs through outreach efforts with USDA Agencies, State, private and public and nonprofit entities. Master's degree in Agricultural Economics, economics, business administration or other business disciplines is required. Preference will be given to applicants with extension and strong community development experiences. Applicants with degrees in closely related disciplines with community development experiences may also apply.
LEARN MORE AND APPLY
Conferences, Workshops, Trainings
Forward2023 National Heirs Property Conference
In-person: December 1-3, 2022, Atlanta, Georgia
Forward2023 is an in-person boot camp experience with three days of high-energy engagement and learning with landowners and practitioners. This is an opportunity for one hundred heirs’ property landowners to get practical information for resolving their heirs' property issues, including an in-depth 12-month checklist to guide their efforts to clear title, create an estate plan, resolve family conflicts, and much more.
REGISTER HERE
Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Free Outreach Meetings
Virtual: December 8 at 1PM – 4PM CT / 2PM – 5PM ET.
The Prairie View A&M University and the Agriculture and Natural Resources are hosting the SFLR Free Outreach Meetings to discuss how landowners can turn forestry into a generational source of revenue, provide information to landowners relating to their heirs’ property, and provide technical and financial resources available to landowners through USDA.
Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Reckoning Program Workshops
Virtual: December 14 at 1PM – 3PM CT / 2PM – 4PM ET.
The Prairie View A&M University and the Agriculture and Natural Resources are hosting the SFLR Reckoning Program to inform and help landowners with a general understanding relating to their heirs’ property.
Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Legal Clinic Workshops
Virtual: December 15 at 1PM – 3PM CT / 2PM – 4PM ET.
The Prairie View A&M University and the Agriculture and Natural Resources are hosting the SFLR Legal Clinic to provide legal information to help landowners with estate planning, Wills, trust agreements, title clearing, and more.
Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) Extension Leadership Conference (ELC)
February 7-9, 2023, Kansas City, Missouri
The Joint Council of Extension Professionals is hosting their 2023 ELC Conference. The conference is to engage and inspire individuals to lead the way to a bright future. Accommodations and reservation details will be released soon. For hotel and airport information, please visit the JCEP webpage.
Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) Conference
In-person: April 16-19, 2023, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia
The JCEP is hosting their 2023 PILD Conference. The conference is to enhance education and advocacy skills to positively affect federal, state, and local resources available for Cooperative Extension.
The National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) 2023 Conference
In-person: April 30 – May 3, 2023, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
Mark your calendars: NACDEP has set conference dates for their 2023 conference. More information and registration will be available later.
The Rural Sociological Society (RSS) 2023 Conference
In-person: August 2-6, 2023, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
SRDC Director and current Rural Sociological Society President John J. Green invites you to mark your calendars for the 2023 conference with the theme “Pursuing Equity and Access in Development”. The call for abstracts is open until December 9, 2022.
REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 1ST, SEE MORE INFORMATION HERE