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Items of Interest
Bridging the Digital Divide in Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Communities in the South Individual Digital Capital Survey Results
Recently a survey was conducted to better understand digital disparities among socio-economically disadvantaged groups in the South. The findings from that survey can be seen within this report.
Additionally, a webinar to discuss the findings will take place on Monday, October 3, 2022, at 2:30 PM CT/3:30 PM ET.
Southern Region Indicators: Standard and COVID-19 Impacts
Each year, indicators are collected from states in the Southern Region to show the collective impact of Extension community development programs.
The collected and compiled highlights show the jobs created, grants awarded, plans new and revised for community development, and networking connections made throughout the previous year. Short vignettes also provide insights behind the metrics.
In addition to this report, states also provided COVID-19 response impacts to show how each has continued to navigate through the challenges of the pandemic.
View the Annual and COVID-19 Impacts for 2022
Population Matters: Demography and Well-Being in Rural America
The Rural Population Research Network (RPRN), hosted a symposium entitled “Population Matters: Demography and Well-Being in Rural America” on September 16, 2022. This hybrid event held at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities office in Washington, DC included an option of Zoom participation. A multi-state project, the RPRN brings together applied scholars to better understand the causes and consequences of demographic change in rural America (for an example, please visit the Rural Population Research Network webpage). Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) Director, John J. Green was one of symposium panelists, and he spoke on important intersections between population change and digital access in relation to community vitality.
Grant Connections
STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Accepting Applications to Spur Job Growth and Economic Development in Rural Areas
Washington, August 31, 2022
The 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 located 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: First Quarter: Sept. 30, 2022; 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 the GovDelivery subscriber page.
Job Opportunities
Oklahoma State University (OSU) Assistant Director/State Program Leader for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Economic Development
Applications Review will begin 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 Professor and Extension Specialist: Food Systems Communication
Open until filled
The Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at North Carolina State University (NCSU) are recruiting its future Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Food Systems Communication. The specialist will contribute to the expanding undergraduate agricultural sciences major with a specific focus on developing and teaching courses in agricultural communication. The specialist will provide mentorship and advising to students in the agricultural and human sciences graduate program. Additionally, the specialist will collaborate directly with the Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) and Plants for Human Institute (PHHI) to research and present findings to a broad audience. The specialist will partner with a dynamic team of Agricultural and Human Sciences specialists and across NCSU working in agricultural, life sciences, and food system communications. The specialist will partner with the internal College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Departments and colleges across the university as well as serve as a member on departmental, college, and university committees.
Conferences, Workshops, Trainings
Building the Capacity to Invest in Rural Prosperity through Cross-sector Collaboration
Virtual: October 6, 2022, at 11 AM – 12PM / 12 PM – 1 PM ET.
The Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (C-FARE) and the Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) invite you to attend the third installment of Building the Capacity to Invest in Rural Prosperity. Join this webinar to learn about effective, collaborative rural capacity-building strategies, and about policy proposals that can make these practices easier and more widespread.
Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Free Outreach Meetings
Virtual on the following remaining dates of 2022: October 13, November 10, December 8 each 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.
Digital Inclusion Week 2022
In-person & virtual: October 3-7, 2022
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance has released the dates for Digital Inclusion Week 2022. The annual week looks to provide awareness, recognition, and celebration for digital equity in communities across the country. For more information, please visit the Digital Inclusion website.
First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON) Conference
In-person: October 21-24, 2022, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The annual FALCON Conference is the premiere networking and professional development event for 1994 (Tribal Colleges & Universities) land-grant administrators, Extension directors, faculty, researchers, students, and partners, including USDA NIFA, other federal agencies, the 1862 and 1890 land grants, and the nonprofit sector. The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development and the Western Rural Development Center have joined with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium in supporting a post-conference day on October 24.
Program Center Stage Webinar Series
Virtual every fourth Monday on these remaining dates of 2022: October 24, and November 28
This webinar series hosted by the Extension Foundation and Impact Collaborative showcases programs from across the system. Membership to the Extension Foundation is not required participate.
Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Legal Clinic Workshops
Virtual on these remaining dates of 2022: October 27, and December 15 each 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.
Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Course
In-person: November 1-2, 2022, University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus; Registration deadline: October 26, 2022
University of Minnesota is providing a BRE course that will discuss interview techniques at real businesses; tips and stories; networking with economic developers; and a special focus on business succession and transition research, methods, and case studies. The course is designed for economic and community development professionals and stakeholders, community leaders, and others who want to conduct a community led BRE effort. For more information or to register, visit the University of Minnesota Extension webpage.
Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC)
In-person: November 13-15, 2022, Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa, Montgomery, Alabama
The Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC) is a forum committed to a world that values and promotes equal opportunity equitable access to information and technology for sustainable development of communities and natural resources. The conference began in 1942 mainly with Tuskegee University and local and state support and participation. It is now national in scope including representatives from the national land grant community, and from the state, federal, and private sectors.
Rural Workforce Innovation Network Regional Virtual Workshops
Virtual workshops will take place regionally. The Southern Workshop will be held Thursday, November 17, 2022, 1-3 PM CT/2-4 PM ET.
Join representatives from USDA Rural Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to learn about federal funding opportunities.
Understanding Heirs’ Property at the Community Level: Train the Trainer Workshop
In-person: November 28-29, 2022, Atlanta, GA. Details to follow soon.
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.
Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) Conference
In-person: April 16-19, 2023, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia
The Joint Council of Extension Professionals is requesting presentation proposals for the 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 proposal submission deadline is October 15, 2022.
The National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) 2023 Conference
In-person: April 30 – May 3, 2023, Couer D’Alene, Idaho
Mark your calendars: NACDEP has set conference dates for 2023. More information and registration will be available later.
Submit Announcements
Job announcements and other items of interest may be sent to Carmen Kelly for possible inclusion in future issues.
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