- Cornell Municipal Clerks Institute
- "Approaching Regional Cooperation Through Education and Research"
- CaRDI Publications
- Green Jobs National Conference
- The NYSAC Legislative Conference
- The 2009 Becker Forum: Proactive Approaches to Immigration and Workforce Issues
- BuildingEnergy09
- 4th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
- Planning for Farms, Food & Energy in Central New York
- Cornell Entrepreneurship Celebration
- Enhancing Local Food Systems: Exploring the Science, What Works, and What We Need to Learn
- Natural Gas Development Resource Center
- Kauffman Foundation News: New Data Show Startups Create Jobs
- National League of Cities 'Effective Municipal Action' Guides
- 10GoodMinutes Podcast Series
- SRDC Newsletter - January 2009
- 2009 Agricultural Assessment Values Per Acre
- News from the University Economic Development Association
- Aspen Institute E-NEWS from EOP
- Agriculture & Public Health Gateway
- Community Food Handouts
- Niche Meat Processors Case Studies
Funding / Grants / Training and Other Opportunities
- Training Opportunity: Understanding Communities and their Dynamics
- Funding Opportunity: Preserve New York Grant Program
- NYSERDA Funding Opportunity
- Laura Jane Musser Fund
- Madison County Has A New Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund
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.
Cornell Municipal Clerks Institute
Registration for the 2009 Cornell Municipal Clerks Institute (CMCI) is now open! For more information, and to register, please visit http://devsoc.cals.cornell.edu/cals/devsoc/outreach/cardi/training/cmci.cfm.
The IIMC is continuing its "Recruit A New Member Campaign." For more information, please read the News Digest or visit www.iimc.com, click on Member Services, click on Recruit a Member. By recruiting a new member your name is entered into a drawing for a $250 gift card.
"Approaching Regional Cooperation Through Education and Research"
By Rod Howe and David Kay (pages 36-37) in Winter issue of the NYSAC News magazine
Check out the Winter 2009 issue of the NYSAC News for news about ways to save money on partnership programs, state budget proposals, the latest economic statistics and a range of other timely articles designed for today's county government official. NYSAC Legislative Director Ken Crannell provides an update on the Executive State Budget, Ontario County Administrator Geoffrey Astles discussion how partnerships can pave the way to cost savings. You can access these and other stories online on our Website at www.nysac.org.
To read the magazine online or to download a PDF version of the issue, click here.
CaRDI Publications
All of our publications are available on the CaRDI website at http://www.cardi.cornell.edu
Green Jobs National Conference
February 4 - 6, 2009
Washington, DC
The NYSAC Legislative Conference
February 9-11, 2009
Albany, NY
Guests to include Governor David Paterson, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Speaker Sheldon Silver, Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, not to mention more than 600 of your county colleagues from across the state. Register Today! Forms available at www.nysac.org.
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Dr. James Orr, an economist and Assistant Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, will be the featured speakers at the closing plenary session of the NYSAC Legislative Conference on February 11, 2009 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. The session entitled, "The New York State Economy, What Does the Future Hold?" will discuss the Economic Recession sweeping the nation and its impact on New York State. Dr. Orr will provide session participants with an overview of the New York State Economy and how the long range implications of the current crisis in the financial sector may impact our national and state economies. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli will speak on the impacts these basic economic changes will have on New York State, and the repercussions they may have on State and county budgets in the future. The featured speakers will be followed by a discussion panel of experts from county government and other affected sectors, moderated by Robert Ward, Deputy Director of the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
The 2009 Becker Forum: Proactive Approaches to Immigration and Workforce Issues
Holiday Inn - Liverpool, NY
February 10, 2009
8:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Featuring sessions on:
- Immigration Reform with a New President and a New Congress
- Social Security No-match Letters
- Immigration and Agriculture: Changing Public Perceptions
- How to be a Better Boss
- Strategies to Support Agricultural Workers
- Creating a High Performance Business Culture
- Leaders Forum: How to Impact future Immigration Legislation
To register: visit www.nysvga.org or call (315) 687-5734.
BuildingEnergy09
March 10-12, 2009
Seaport World Trade Center, Boston
The conference and trade show for renewable energy and green building professionals. Early registration ends February 9, 2009. For more information and to register: www.buildingenergy.nesea.org or 413-223-8005.
4th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
March 19-20, 2009
Portland, Oregon
Farm to Cafeteria has done the distance in the last decade, with the number of farm to school programs exploding -from a handful of programs in the late 1990's to over 2,000 today. Local purchasing efforts in colleges, hospitals, and senior and daycare centers are also growing rapidly. This conference provides the opportunitiy to explore the challenges and opportunities that come with the success of the movement. For more information and to register online, visit, www.farmtocafeteriaconference.com.
Planning for Farms, Food & Energy in Central New York
March 25, 2009
Holiday Inn, Electronics Parkway, Syracuse, NY
Agriculture is integrally connected with the future of the economy and communities in Central, NY. Join us for a one day conference that will help community leaders (local government officials, planning and zoning board members, economic development professionals, farmers, conservationists, local food advocates and others) understand the benefits generated by local farms and how towns and counties can take action to support local farmers and protect farmland. For more information, contact Judy Wright, American Farmland Trust, 315-730-4505, jlw4220@yahoo.com, www.farmland.org.
Cornell Entrepreneurship Celebration
April 16-17, 2009
Visit the conference website for more information: http://www.eship.cornell.edu/events/celebration09/
The Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 has been announced! You can read more about Jay Walker ’77, founder of priceline.com, at http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan09/CEYWalker.html
Save the Date: Enhancing Local Food Systems: Exploring the Science, What Works, and What We Need to Learn
May 19-20, 2009
Hudson Valley Resort, Kerhonkson, NY
Natural Gas Development Resource Center
http://gasleasing.cce.cornell.edu/
Responding to the need for ongoing training, information sharing and public discourse.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Natural Gas Development Resource Center brings together information from a variety of sources, including academic research, industry analysis, local government officials and citizens. The goal is to provide a space for dialogue and learning that will lead to informed decision making by all concerned parties. This resource center is made of up 3 elements: A web site, which is home to a number of resources that provide history and perspective on the current discussion around gas leasing. Second, there is a blog, which is used to post notifications of upcoming events.
The final component is a discussion forum, integrated within the blog. The discussion forum provides a place for conversation and questioning and is open to everyone who wants to participate. The forum is moderated by Cornell Faculty, Staff, and CCE Educators.
The web site also includes a glossary of terms, fact sheets, frequently asked questions, powerpoint presentations, and numerous links.
Kauffman Foundation News: New Data Show Startups Create Jobs
Business startups are key to job creation in the U.S., according to new Kauffman Foundation study; U.S. Census Bureau data also show that business startups remain robust even in the most severe recession
A new Kauffman Foundation-funded U.S. Census Bureau study reinforces what entrepreneurship experts have long known: Startup companies are a major contributor to job creation. The report is based on a new product from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Business Dynamics Statistics. The BDS also indicates that startups remain strong even in the most severe recession. At a time when unemployment is reaching record highs, the BDS sheds a spotlight on the critical role new firms will play in economic recovery. The Kauffman Foundation's research into the early years of business formation has long shown that startup companies are important short-term and long-term contributors to job growth.
National League of Cities 'Effective Municipal Action' Guides
The National League of Cities has joined with the Urban Institute to release ten action guides for effective municipal action. The goal of the guides is to help local elected officials obtain and use the information they need to make effective, informed decisions. Among the topics covered in the guides are improving strategic planning and budgeting, reviewing programs throughout the year, motivating employees and contractors, and communicating with citizens about what they are getting for their money.
Learn more and download the action guides.
10GoodMinutes Podcast Series
10GoodMinutes is a new series of 10-minute podcasts designed to highlight career realities and opportunities in today’s tough economy. Experts provide wisdom and strategies to help young professionals succeed. A new podcast is posted every Monday. http://10goodminutes.com/
SRDC Newsletter - January 2009
New State Fact Sheets Released
The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) has released updated state fact sheets for all 50 states. With much of the data ERS compiles data on state and county population, income, poverty, unemployment, and farm and agricultural characteristics. This most recent release contains updated information on state and county poverty and median household income. Download the state fact sheets at http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/.
USDA Rural Develop Releases 2008 Progress Report
Rural America is changing. In a world linked at the speed of light, rural no longer means isolated. Traditional industries remain important, but the Internet revolution and rural broadband have dramatically expanded the horizons of rural communities. Rural-based businesses can now compete globally. Renewable energy, which is largely rural energy, is generating new economic growth and jobs. Farm income, farm exports, and farm equity are at record highs. Rural communities across the country are upgrading hospitals, schools, and other essential community services. Smaller cities are emerging as regional hubs in a changing global economy, while an ever-increasing number of rural communities are becoming destinations for families seeking a higher quality of life. For USDA Rural Development, these changes represent both a challenge and an opportunity. To learn more about the progress made, view the full report at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/pubs/progress/2008_RD_ProgressReport.pdf.
Spotlight Web Site Features New Section on Rural Poverty
Low-income families in rural communities face unique challenges as they work to achieve financial security. Yet there is still significant debate over the causes of rural poverty and the role that geographical location plays in perpetuating these hardships. The latest U.S. Census Bureau figures show that 15.4 percent of rural Americans are living in poverty at a rate higher than the national average, which stands at 12.5 percent. Effectively addressing this issue therefore remains a critical component to the overall fight against poverty. The Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity has unveiled a new section of their Web site to gather key research, news and opinion on rural poverty by experts on the issue, policy-makers and the media. Visit this new poverty resource at http://spotlightonpoverty.org/rural_poverty.aspx.
2009 Agricultural Assessment Values Per Acre
2009 Agricultural Assessment Values Per Acre for Computing Agricultural Assessments for eligible land in New York State have been established January 15, 2009. The State Board of Real Property Services by delegation to the Office of Real Property Services certifies these factors to assessors following Article 25AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law. These values are used for computing agricultural assessments for city and town assessment rolls completed in 2009, and for village assessment rolls completed in 2010.
Go to the ORPS website for details: http://www.orps.state.ny.us/assessor/valuation/agriculture/09agval.htm
News from the University Economic Development Association
US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration
Aspen Institute E-NEWS from EOP
Presentation offers findings from Entrepreneurship Development Systems study
A PowerPoint presentation and detailed remarks by FIELD Director Elaine Edgcomb explaining key outcomes from a three-year initiative to revitalize rural economies through Entrepreneurship Development Systems, are available on-line. The EDS project was funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, beginning in 2005. The presentation, delivered by Edgcomb at a conference in November 2008, explains the purpose of the project, describes the six participating EDS collaboratives, and highlights some of their challenges and accomplishments over time.
View PowerPoint
Download accompanying remarks
Talk on microenterprise and asset-development posted on-line
FIELD Senior Consultant Joyce Klein described the growing set of asset-building strategies offered by microenterprise programs at the Assets Learning Conference, sponsored by CFED in fall 2008. Those interested in learning more about how the microenterprise field has supported asset-building strategies can now access her presentation free on-line. Her talk included a summary of research to date about the asset-building effects of microenterprise.
Agriculture & Public Health Gateway
http://aphg.jhsph.edu/index.cfm
The "Agriculture & Public Health Gateway" provides a central place to access information about public health, agriculture, and the links between these two fields. A project of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (http://www.jhsph.edu/clf/), the Gateway can be a useful resource for public health and agricultural professionals, advocacy and community organizations, policy makers, journalists, and educators.
Community Food Handouts
The Community Food Security Coalition has created three handouts designed to inspire people to learn more and take action, and to link them up with local organizations. They are making them available to groups working on food issues to use as an education and outreach tool. Colorful and beautifully designed, with original artwork, the handouts include brief, plain-language educational information, action ideas, sources for more information, and space to add local contact information. Spanish-language versions available.
To access the handouts: http://www.foodsecurity.org/handouts.html
Niche Meat Processors Case Studies
There are some case studies of various types of slaughterhouses/processing plants on the web at http://www.extension.org/pages/Niche_Meat_Processor_Case_Studies.
Funding / Grants / Training and Other Opportunities
Training Opportunity: Understanding Communities and their Dynamics
Dear Extension Colleagues --
Want to better understand how communities work?
Want to know how to think about your role in communities?
Want to have a greater impact in communities?
All Extension staff who work in a community context have access to training through the Foundations of practice program, which enhances the core competencies of Extension professionals about the basics of community development work. Extension professionals who work at a local level--whether it be with youth, families, agriculture, natural resources or community--need to understand the components and dynamics of communities in order to provide educational programs that make a difference.
Understanding Communities and their Dynamics, component one of the Foundations of Practice program, is a distance education program consisting of a series of seven, one and one-half hour sessions. Using Breeze (now called Adobe Connect) technology, the series is offered twice this spring:
Tuesdays, February 10 to March 24, 2009 -- 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. central time
Wednesdays, February 11 to March 25, 2009 -- 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. central time
The marketing brochure and registration form for the spring series of Understanding Communities and their Dynamics are available on the Foundations of Practice Web site at http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/corecomp/component1-spring2009.htm.
Funding Opportunity: Preserve New York Grant Program
The Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts are pleased to offer the 2009 Preserve New York (PNY) Grant Program to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations undertaking historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys. The Preservation League, a statewide, not-for-profit organization, and the Council, the state’s arts funding agency, have collaborated on this grant program annually since 1993. Through the program, the two groups seek to support efforts to plan for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings and landscapes throughout the state.
Click here for the guidelines for application.
NYSERDA Funding Opportunity
http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1260pon.asp
Clean Energy Business Growth and Development The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) seeks to support the growth and development of clean energy companies in New York State by supporting business activities that enable their expansion. Clean energy includes energy and power generation from renewable resources, as well as energy efficient technologies in the power generation, energy storage, transportation, industrial, or building sectors that use alternative fuels or reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and provide environmental benefits. These technologies may be full systems or components of systems.
Laura Jane Musser Fund
The Laura Jane Musser Fund is calling for applicants for their Environmental Initiative Program. The focus of this program is to fund environmental stewardship projects in rural areas that draw upon collaborative efforts in a community. Non-profit organizations and local units of government are eligible to apply for grants of up to $35,000. For more information on the Laura Jane Musser Fund or previously awarded projects, visit http://www.musserfund.org/enviro.php.
Madison County Has A New Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund
Contact: Becca (Brier-Rosenfield) Jablonski, Madison County Agricultural Economic Development Program, 697-9817 or 684-3001 x118
Earlier this year Madison County, through the efforts of the Agricultural Economic Development Program, was awarded a $99,990 grant by the U.S Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The check was presented by Rep. John McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, to John Becker, Chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors, at a ceremony in Wampsville. The grant will establish an Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund (ARLF) to assist Madison County farmers and agri-businesses in obtaining small low-interest loans to create or expand value-added and direct marketing opportunities.
The new ARLF will allow farmers to borrow up to $10,000 for farm stand infrastructure (construction, design development, market analysis, etc.), value added agricultural product development, training for cheese making, meat cutting, or other agricultural processing initiatives, training and equipment to ensure food safety and security, and promotional materials for agri-businesses (including websites, signage, printed materials etc.). Madison County hopes to increase direct marketing opportunities for farmers, thereby supporting and promoting agriculture. The loans will be limited to farms and agribusinesses with gross incomes of $1,000,000 or less and the interest rate is set at one percent below prime.
For more information, please contact Becca (Brier-Rosenfield) Jablonski, Madison County's Agricultural Economic Development Specialist, at 315.697.9817
www.madisoncountyagriculture.com