March 2008 CaRDI Communique

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Highlights

Land Use Leadership Alliance Training
Future of Rural New York Seminar
Publications
- How farmers influence watershed conservation
- Management activities of private forest landowners
- New York Communities 2007

Dates

NOFA-NY Will Host Regional Gatherings this Winter for CSA Farmers and Consumers
Pipeline 4 Progress Regional Action Initiative
Marketing Value-added Products: Where do I sell all this stuff?
CommonGround 2008: Mindful Innovations
North Country Regional Foods Initiative
Welcoming Entrepreneurs to Your Community
Whole Farm Planning Training Program
Brain Drain/Brain Gain in Rural Central and Western New York
Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium
Cornell Municipal Clerks Institute

Resources / Articles

Main Street Economist Article on Retail Food Prices
Farmland Protection Program to Provide Funding to 16 Upstate Towns
Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future
Great Lakes Commission: State and Provincial Land Use and Smart Growth Trends in the Great Lakes Region
National Public Radio: All Things Considered
Entrepreneurship and Urban Success: Toward a Policy Consensus
First Lady Takes "Greening the Mansion" Initiative to a National Audience
Latest News From NYSEDC
USDA Rural Development News Flash: USDA and FCC Launch Rural Broadband Web Site
Data Tools

Funding / Grants / Other Opportunities

NYS Assembly

For more information regarding the Communiqué or to subscribe/unsubscribe to this list, please email Ann Prince at ach37@cornell.edu.

For more information about CaRDI, please visit us at www.cardi.cornell.edu.

Highlights

Land Use Leadership Alliance Training

On February 29, nearly 30 community leaders (a mix of local officials and other community leaders) who live and work in the Keuka Lake Watershed completed the first ever joint CaRDI-Pace University "LULA" - Land Use Leadership Alliance --training. The training was supported by the NYS Department of State and the Keuka Lake Association through funds awarded to a project team including Cornell and Pace Universities, Yates County Cooperative Extension, and the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council. As developed initially by the Pace University Land Use Law Center, the LULA builds capacity for change among land use leaders at the local level. Tailored in each setting to local circumstances, LULA is designed to help local land use leaders learn practical strategies for natural resource conservation, development in appropriate locations, and effective community decision-making. Over the past decade, nearly 1,000 local land use leaders and their communities in eastern New York and Connecticut have created a regional leadership community interested in and capable of implementing improved land use decisions. With the new Cornell-Pace University partnership, this trained leadership community is being extended to new regions of New York state.

For more information, contact David Kay, dlk2@cornell.edu

Future of Rural New York Seminar Series

"Workforce and Economic Development: The Competitive Position of NYS Regions."

Friday, March 28 2008, 3:00-4:30, Warren Hall B32.

Organized by CaRDI (Community & Rural Development Institute) in the Department of Development Sociology at Cornell University, as part of the Future of Rural New York Seminar Series.

The seminar will include a panel discussion featuring Kevin Jack (NYS Department of Labor), Warren Brown (Program on Applied Demographics, Cornell University), Mike Manikowski (Ontario County Economic Development), Susan Christopherson (City & Regional Planning, Cornell University), and David Brown (CaRDI & Development Sociology, Cornell University). The panelists will discuss employment and wages by region and industry cluster, demographic perspectives on factors affecting the supply of workers to industry in these regions, and how regional analyses such as these can be useful to county economic developers, among other topics.

This seminar will also be available via adobe connect. Please register at http://forms.cce.cornell.edu/submitter.php?form_id=178

Reception to follow seminar - please visit our website for more information: www.cardi.cornell.edu

CaRDI Publications

In early February, Issue #14 of our Rural New York Minute series was released, entitled "Are Older In-Migrants to Rural Communities 'Grey Gold'?" by David L. Brown and Nina Glasgow.

We just released our 15th issue of the Minute in early March, entitled Local land uses and downstream benefits: How farmer attitudes influence watershed conservation practices", by Richard C. Stedman, Erin E. James, and Peter J. Kleinman.

In mid-February, Issue #14 of our Research & Policy Brief Series was released, entitled "The Role of Cornell University in Training Local Government Leaders", by Rod Howe.

We will release our 15th issue of the Brief in mid-March, entitled "Management Activities of Private Forest Landowners in New York State , by Shorna Broussard, Nancy Connelly, Tommy Brown, Peter Smallidge.

In addition, our 4th CaRDI Report has been released, entitled "New York Communities 2007: A Year of CaRDI Publications." This report contains all 24 Rural New York Minutes and Research & Policy Briefs published in 2007.

All of our publications are available on the CaRDI website at http://www.cardi.cornell.edu.

Dates

NOFA-NY Will Host Regional Gatherings this Winter for CSA Farmers and Consumers

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) is spearheading a new project to build a statewide network for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farms. Currently, NOFA-NY has identified about 120 CSA programs across the state. New York has one of the highest concentrations of CSA farms nationwide and the number of CSA farms is growing as new CSA programs continue to pop up every year. At a time when many farms are going out of business, CSA farms are both ecologically and economically viable and a growing segment of the farm economy. In the CSA model, consumers share both the risks and rewards of farming and in turn receive a weekly share of the freshest and tastiest vegetables. They also enjoy a special relationship with their farmer and the land on which their food is grown, which often includes farm visits and festivals and pick-your-own veggies, flowers, and herbs.

The new statewide CSA Network initiated by NOFA-NY aims to provide support to farmers who run Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs or would like to start a CSA program. The CSA Network will also explore ways to educate consumers about the CSA concept. The project is in the beginning stages and NOFA-NY is seeking feedback from farmers and consumers about how best to provide support for CSA programs across the state. In upcoming weeks, NOFA-NY will be hosting regional gatherings for farmers and CSA members in Western NY, the North Country, Central New York, and on Long Island at the following dates and locations:

Fingerlakes/Central New York: Sunday, March 9, 3-7 pm, West Haven Farm/Ecovillage in Ithaca

Long Island: Saturday, March 15, Sylvester Manor, Shelter Island

The gatherings will be facilitated by longtime CSA farmers Scott Chaskey of Quail Hill Farm and Liz Henderson of Peacework Organic Farm, and by NOFA-NY's CSA Network Coordinator, Abby Youngblood. These potluck gatherings will provide farmers and CSA members with the opportunity to network and collaborate with each other and brainstorm ways to educate consumers and build the CSA movement.

You can learn more about this project at www.nofany.org or contact Abby Youngblood, the CSA Network Coordinator, at 347-445-2384 or email csaproject@nofany.org. You can also view the New York State CSA Directory on the NOFA-NY website. You can search this directory by city or county to find the CSA nearest to you!

Pipeline 4 Progress Regional Action Initiative

Upstate New York communities face significant challenges in finding common ground to work across town, village, city and county boundaries. The old ways of making policy – place by place – no longer serve our marketplace needs and cannot provide the upstate communities with the economic infrastructure required to meet the 21st century needs of its citizens and businesses. Regional approaches will differ depending on marketplace, assets, and opportunities, as well as regional needs for a sustainable economic prosperity.

To develop a regional, sustainable strategy, this initiative plans to build regional capacity and demonstrate ways in which it can be implemented by adapting a comprehensive marketplace approach. Together this region will make the connections that will use its considerable assets wisely and effectively to build a sustainable, diverse economy.

Geographic Scope
Pipeline 4 Progress is currently targeting a core region of 13 counties in the southern portion of Upstate New York. These include: Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben, Chemung, Tioga, Broome, Schuyler, Tompkins, Livingston, Ontario, Yates, and Seneca counties.

To register any of the following go to: http://forms.cce.cornell.edu/submitter.php?form_id=179 (or go to www.cardi.cornell.edu and look for Pipeline4Progress)

March 7, P4P regional input session, Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Broome County (Auditorium)
March 12 Webinar, 11:00 - 12:30, Regional Strategic Planning, Version 1.0, Susan Christopherson, Cornell University, City and Regional Planning
March 20, P4P regional input session, Jamestown Community College – Olean Campus (Library)
March 27 Webinar, 10:30 - noon How Competitive Is the Southern Tier?, Warren A. Brown, Cornell University Program on Applied Demographics
April 1, P4P regional input session, Corning Community College (Triangle Lounge)
April 9, P4P regional input session, Geneva Experiment Station, Jordan Hall

For information about these 4 regional input sessions and two webinars go to http://p4pnetwork.com. You can also access a report entitled LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR A MEANINGFUL REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS (http://p4pnetwork.com/usr/pdf/FinalP4PFoundation.pdf), prepared by Susan Christopherson and Ned Rightor. The purpose of the report was to lay out the key components of regional strategic planning.

Marketing Value-added Products: Where do I sell all this stuff?

Are you considering adding a value-added product to your agricultural business? Want to learn what makes one value-added product a cash generator and another product a money pit? Join eXtension's Entrepreneurs and Their Communities team for an online workshop on Wednesday, March 26 from 1:30-2:30 (EST). Our topic will be Marketing Value-added Products: Where do I sell all this stuff? Our presenter for this session will be Ginger S. Myers, Regional Extension Marketing Specialist with Maryland Cooperative Extension. Ginger has over 25 years of experience in agri-business and small farm production. She has worked as an agricultural marketing specialist in Maryland since 1999.

No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to participate. About 10 minutes prior to the start time simply go the Adobe Connect Pro meeting room at http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ecop/. You will be presented with a login screen that has an "Enter as Guest" option. Enter your first name, last name and state, then click "Enter Room" to join the conference. To hear the audio of the workshop and participate in the Q&A portion of the workshop we will be using a built-in teleconferencing capability of Adobe’s Connect Pro conferencing software. Once you log into the meeting you will be presented with the option to enter your call-back number, your phone will automatically be called. After entering your number you will be automatically called and joined into the audio portion of the Web conference on your phone.

CommonGround 2008: Mindful Innovations

April 9 - 11, 2008, Crowne Plaza, Albany

Registration for CommonGround 2008 is now open! Simply go to the website, check out the exciting schedule of offerings, then complete your registration form. It’s all online, and will take just a few minutes. You can pay by credit card, check or purchase order, and print out your complete personalized schedule. Remember, you need to make your own hotel reservations. The special CommonGround rate of $134 per night at the Crowne Plaza expires on March 19th. Make sure to mention PAE when making your reservations to get the special rate.

Click here to register for CommonGround!

North Country Regional Foods Initiative

Friday, April 18, Tupper Lake, NY

Registrations are now being accepted for a conference on "The Role of Adirondack North Country Foods in Community and Economic Development," a one-day conference of the North Country Regional Foods Initiative taking place Friday, April 18th (8:30am - 3:00pm) at the W!LD Center in Tupper Lake, NY.

The targeted audiences for this event include economic and community developers, farmers and food entrepreneurs, town and county officials, planning board members, state and federal representatives, and representatives of institutions interested in serving more local foods.

Participants will explore the ways local and regional foods contribute to community and economic development and learn how communities are supporting and capitalizing on local food initiatives through speaker presentations, panel discussions, and an interactive policy forum.

To register, go online to: www.regonline.com/northcountryfoods

Welcoming Entrepreneurs to Your Community

On Wednesday, April 23 at 1:30pm (EST) the eXtension Entrepreneurs & Their Communities webinar topic will be Welcoming Entrepreneurs to Your Community. Communities of all sizes are starting to recognize the value of home-grown businesses as a vital part of economic development. So how can Extension, local officials, and community and economic development professionals help create a climate where entrepreneurs feel welcome and supported? Co-facilitators Greg Wise, UW Extension and Charlie French, UNH Cooperative Extension will share tips and tools that communities can implement to encourage entrepreneurship as an economic development strategy.

Whole Farm Planning Training Program
First Session April/May

Anyone who works directly with farmers is invited to enroll in this educational opportunity. This is a unique opportunity to expand your skills and expertise in a topic much needed by your farmer clientele. Whole farm planning is essential for many farmers looking to expand, diversify, transfer assets to the next generation, and improve environmental conditions and farm profitability.

This training will involve three intensive sessions. Each session will last 3-4 days. The first session will be held in April/May, 2008, the second session in September/October 2008 and the third session will be held in February/March, 2009. The sessions will focus on:

farm/family goal setting
farm resource delineation
on-farm decision making
farm financial planning and analysis
reading the land/environmental monitoring
grazing planning

All expenses for the training will be paid through a Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant. Covered expenses include travel, room and board, and supplies and materials. Additionally, a program mentor will assist participants through the use of a list serve, interactive web site and other distance education methods.

Farmer-educators will receive an additional $300 per session as a stipend for their time and to help defray costs while they are away from the farm. Participants will be required to attend all three sessions and work with at least two farms between sessions to implement the knowledge and skills gained during their training. Farmer participants may use their own farm as one of the two required.

Two concurrent training sessions will be offered. One set of sessions will be held in central NY and the other will be held in central New Hampshire. Twelve participants will be accepted for each training site (NY and NH). The training is targeted at educators across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. For more information about the New York sessions call Phil Metzger at (607) 334-3231, Ext. 4 (Central NY RC&D). For information about the New Hampshire sessions, call Seth Wilner at (603) 863-9200 (UNH Cooperative Extension).

SAVE THE DATE! Brain Drain/Brain Gain in Rural Central and Western New York

One-day conference of The Rural Learning Network of Central and Western
May 6, 2008, New York Chautauqua Suites & Conference Center

Conference Purpose: To examine brain drain/brain gain issues from a community and economic development perspective. To learn from each other about research, educational programs, and government/private sector initiatives designed to address problems and take advantage of opportunities to produce a net brain gain in rural central and western New York.

Keynote speaker: Silda Spitzer, “The I Live New York Initiative”

For more information, email Ann Prince at ach37@cornell.edu.

Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium

June 4-6, 2008, State College, PA

The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development will be sponsoring a Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium from June 4-6, 2008 in State College, PA. To attend the symposium, please contact the Northeast Center via e-mail at nercrd@psu.edu

Cornell Municipal Clerks Institute

The Cornell Municipal Clerks Institute (CMCI) will be held July 20 – 24, 2008 at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. CMCI is a premium educational opportunity provided by a partnership between the City and Village Clerks, the Town Clerks Association of the State of New York, New York State Association of Clerks of County Legislative Boards and Cornell University’s Community and Rural Development Institute.

City, town, village clerks, clerks to County Legislatures, and deputy clerks, as well as other municipal officials who seek professional development are invited to attend. Participants gain new knowledge and skills, enhance the administration of their office, and contribute to the professionalism of their municipal governments.

A certificate of achievement will be awarded to participants who complete the Institute. Completion of three full years at the Institute earns Clerks the necessary points towards certification by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

More information about the Cornell Municipal Clerks Institute can be found at www.cardi.cornell.edu.

Resources /Articles

Main Street Economist Article on Retail Food Prices

Retail food prices surged in 2007, posting their highest gains in almost two decades. Robust food demand, record high crop prices and accelerating costs for labor and energy fueled these sharp gains. In the latest issue of The Main Street Economist, Assistant Vice President and Omaha Branch Executive Jason Henderson explores whether the stage is set for a new era of even higher food prices.

You can find the full text of the article at http://www.kansascityfed.org/RegionalAffairs/mainstreet/MainStMain.htm?ealert=MSE0303.

Farmland Protection Program to Provide Funding to 16 Upstate Towns

On Wednesday, February 27, 2008, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced nearly $372,000 in funding to help 16 towns in Upstate New York develop local agricultural and farmland protection plans. This announcement was in addition to the nearly $500,000 announced last month for local farmland protection plans, bringing the total amount provided this year to $862,445 for 37 towns statewide.

New York State has an effective Farmland Protection Program that has allocated more than $144.5 million out of the Environmental Protection Fund for farmland protection implementation projects, assisting local governments and their project partners in 26 counties to help protect 50,400 acres on 241 farms. The announcement on Wednesday will highlight the planning aspect of the Farmland Protection Program. This is the first year that the State is providing funding to towns for farmland protection plans; only counties have been eligible in the past.

Click here for the full press release.

Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future

The Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future (CCSF) promotes and advances collaborations across Cornell and with selected external partners, leveraging Cornell's resources to help build a sustainable future for the world. CCSF is a campus wide "umbrella" organization designed to bring together many existing programs and to nucleate new efforts in sustainability. The major objective of this new Center is to seed and grow collaborations across Cornell and with key external partners that can lead to significant real world impacts and leveraging of Cornell resources.

http://sustainablefuture.cornell.edu/

Great Lakes Commission: State and Provincial Land Use and Smart Growth Trends in the Great Lakes Region

The Great Lakes Commission has released its smart growth briefing paper titled, State and Provincial Land Use and Smart Growth Trends in the Great Lakes Region.

You can download a PDF file of the briefing paper from the GLC Land Use Roundtable Series (http://glc.org/landuse/) or Sustainable Land Use (http://glc.org/bridges/library.html) web pages.

National Public Radio: All Things Considered

All who have an interest in the "on-the-ground" impacts of land policy will want to tune into a major new series to be aired by National Public Radio's acclaimed afternoon news program, All Things Considered. Topics covered include conservation easements, protecting rural character from growth pressures, wind farm siting, the difficulty of removing homes from eroding beaches, and green burials/eco-cemetaries. The goal of series producer David Baron is to infuse these topics with vitality; "We decided the key would be storytelling, and though the stories are place-specific, they touch on issues that listeners can relate to, wherever they live."

The series began airing Thursday, February 28 and will continue as an occasional series in the weeks and months ahead. They will be archived and available on the website www.shifting-ground.com.

Entrepreneurship and Urban Success: Toward a Policy Consensus

Kauffman Foundation

http://www.kauffman.org/pdf/state_local_roadmap_022608.pdf

First Lady Takes "Greening the Mansion" Initiative to a National Audience

First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer brought her “Greening the Mansion” initiative to Washington, D.C., where she made a presentation [on February 28th] at the National Governors Association’s annual Winter Meeting. She called on First Families across the country to implement “green” initiatives at their executive residences as part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the role that environmentally-conscious buildings can play in fighting global warming.

Click here for the full press release.