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SRDC Items of Interest
Ms. Joy Moten-Thomas Named as the Recipient of the 2022 Bonnie Teater Lifetime Achievement Award
The Southern Rural Development Center is proud to honor Ms. Joy Moten-Thomas as the 2022 recipient of the Bonnie Teater Community Development Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Moten-Thomas has over 25 years of experience working with diverse minority audiences, inclusive of youth and adults throughout Georgia.
In support of Ms. Moten-Thomas’ nomination, Dr. Mark Latimore, Associate Dean of the Cooperative Extension Program at Fort Valley State University, stated, “She carries herself with dignity and respect and represents our program with this same regard at the national, state, and local levels.” Furthermore, Ms. Doris Evans-Gates, Manager of the Georgia WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs at the Georgia Department of Health, stated, “[Ms. Moten-Thomas] has been extremely instrumental in increasing the visibility of the Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension Program and fostering community development and partnerships throughout the state. Her dedication and efforts are invaluable to the farm community and our program recipients.”
RRDCs Continue to Celebrate Year-long 50th Anniversary with Proclamations from NACDEP and SAAS
The National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) and the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS) recently released proclamations in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Regional Rural Development Centers and their significant contributions and continuous leadership role of rural America.
The Southern Rural Development Center is thankful to both organizations for their national and regional support to the center.
Each proclamation can be found via the SRDC website, here: NACDEP PROCLAMATION & SAAS PROCLAMATION
Center Staff Attend Annual Meeting of the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals
Reflections from Southern Rural Development Center Director, John J. Green
In early June, Grace Langford, Extension Associate; Rachel Welborn, Associate Director; and I had the privilege of representing the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) in attending the annual meeting of the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) held in Indianapolis, IN.
The four Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) participated in a session that reflected on the past 50 years and looked to the future. The session included moderation of a panel discussion by Sarah Rocker with the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This was an appropriate setting for such an event, given that the RRDCs have been involved with NACDEP since its beginning, and because the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development is hosted by Purdue University. We also had an RRDC exhibit at the conference.
Other highlights for our involvement in NACDEP included participation in a Program Leaders pre-conference meeting, presenting posters on SRDC-affiliated projects, and co-facilitation of an introductory version of Coming Together for Racial Understanding dialogue processes during a post-conference workshop. We had the opportunity to interact with professionals from a diverse set of institutions, including attendees from the 1890 and 1994 Land-Grant systems. Furthermore, we presented the Bonnie Teater Community Development Lifetime Achievement Award to Ms. Joy Moten-Thomas, our colleague from Fort Valley State University.
These are just some of the highlights from a great NACDEP conference. It was a busy and productive time, especially after so much time apart because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SRDC's History: Social Media Series in Celebration of the RRDC's 50th Anniversary
This year has provided opportunities for SRDC staff to share information about the history and the current impacts that the RRDCs are making in their regions and throughout the nation. A few of the events and workshops that SRDC has participated in can be found in this post on our social media platforms.
Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn
Regional Spotlight
25th Annual Small Scale Farmers Conference
Langston University’s School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (LU-SAAS) held the 25th Annual Small Scale Farmers Conference on June 1st and 2nd in Edmond, OK with an attendance of more than 150 participants. The conference was the first in-person gathering of farmers, ranchers, agriculture students, farmers market managers, and other key agriculture stakeholders after the two years hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The conference attendees came from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Tennessee. The event featured educational information during breakout sessions, panel discussion, farm tours, an engaging keynote address from a national speaker, and networking opportunities.
This year’s conference theme was “Innovate, Grow, and Succeed in Food and Agriculture: Avenue to Building Stronger Oklahoma Communities.” Several speakers with different expertise presented on various topics including how to start a new farm, smart agriculture and climate considerations, Heirs’ Property, Oklahoma Food Freedom Act, USDA programs and resources, and others.
For over two decades, the Langston University Small Farmers Conference has been the premier annual event for Oklahoma’s small and diversified farming community to learn about tools, resources, and ideas for operating profitable farms. The conference helps the participants experience continuing education and enjoy farmer-to-farmer networking.
We look forward to continuing to build this growing conference in partnership with the small and diversified farm community of Oklahoma.
For additional information contact James Arati at jarati@langston.edu or 405-466-6167
Grant Postings
Southern SARE Releases 2023 Education Grant Call for Proposals
The deadline for submitting proposals is August 5, 2022, at 12 p.m. (noon) EST. Grants will be announced in February of 2023. Projects begin April 1, 2023.
The Southern region of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has released its Call for Proposals for the 2023 Education Grants program.
Southern SARE’s Education Grant, falling under the Research & Education Grant Program, is a broader education and outreach effort. Education Grants are open to organizations, institutions, and individuals who are interested in conducting education and outreach activities for the benefit of the greater sustainable ag community, and promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices.
Download the Call for Proposals
Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program
All Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program applications are due by Friday, September 30, 2022, at 10:59 p.m. CT/11:59 p.m. ET.
The Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program (MM) is a $1 billion grant program that will provide funding to expand middle mile infrastructure and reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas. MM will invest in the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure.
An application checklist and packet of templates and the program application guidance is available for you to prepare your application. It is important to know that using the templates and application guidance provided will ensure the most effective and timely review.
To learn more, visit the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program webpage.
If you have questions about this program, please email MiddleMile@NTIA.gov.
Job Postings
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
Credit Access Listening Session
Virtual: June 28, 2022, 4:00–6:00 PM CT / 5:00–7:00 PM ET
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives is hosting a listening session focused on the challenges Federation members and their communities face in accessing credit to keep their farms operating. Registration for tickets is open.
2022 Rural Sociological Society Meeting
In-person: August 4-7, 2022, Westminster, CO
The 2022 RSS Annual Meeting will be titled “Including Diverse Voices for Equitable Community Choices”. Registration is now open.
International Workshop on Agritourism
In-person: August 30 – September 1, 2022, Burlington, Vermont
The International Workshop on Agritourism will take place in person in Burlington, Vermont, USA. This workshop is designed to be a hybrid event to allow those unable to travel to have access to content as well as a variety of other ways for all participants to engage and connect with colleagues in the agritourism community. The conference will feature over 140 presentations, workshops, and posters. Topics cover every aspect of agritourism, including running and marketing an agritourism business, managing farms stays, promoting rural development, creating regional partnerships, and sharing research and case studies. Registration is now open..
NACDEP 2023 Conference
In-person: April 30 – May 3, 2023
Mark your calendars: The National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) has set conference dates for their 2023 conference. More information and registration will be available at a later date.
Archived Webinars
Southern CRD Webinar Series 2020:
January: The 2020 Census is Upon Us: What Can You Do?
March: The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing: Addressing Housing Issues from the Bottom Up
April: Rural Resiliency - How to Support Mental Health in Rural Communities
National CRD Indicators Team Webinar Series:
The “But for” Principle: Getting to Your Impact
Data Visualization: Decision-Making Tools and Methods for Communities
What’s Your Program Worth? Evaluation Strategies for Documenting the Dollar Value of Extension Programs
Evaluating Community Development Impacts Using Qualitative Indicators
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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