PUBLICATIONS

10 Reasons Why You Should Eat Local, Strolling of the Heifers | READ STORY

As part of the 2015 Locavore Index this year, Strolling of the Heifers offers 10 reasons to increase the use of local foods, which, the nonprofit says, are better for consumers, better for growers and better for the environment.

California isn't the only state with water problems, Business Insider | READ STORY

As drought, flooding, and climate change restrict America's water supply, demands from population growth and energy production look set to increase, according to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

LEARNING

Webinar: Main Street, LLC: Put Your Money Where Your House Is, Friday, May 15 2015, 3-4 p.m. EDT
Featuring: Rick Hauser, mayor of Perry, New York and owner of In. Site: Architecture. Mr. Hauser will offer new insights into a longstanding challenge for towns and small cities—getting the ball rolling to overcome vacancy in key downtown locations. Register  Free

RECORDED Webinar - Creative Rural-Urban Alliances

Chuck Fluharty, Kirsten Stoltz, and Savannah Barrett joined CommunityMatters and the Citizen's Insitute on Rural Design in March to share ideas for building partnerships across rural and urban divides. Watch the webinar recording.

TOOLS

 Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood Invites Letters of Intent - DEADLINE: Rolling

Grants will be awarded to innovative, creative projects and programs designed to significantly enhance the development, health, safety, education, and/or quality of life of children from infancy through five years of age....

 

Free eBook: The Guide to Effective Online Engagement.
This guide will help you learn how to use online tools and tactics to engage your community. We outline what to look for in a good tool, as well as best practices and tips gleaned from our 18 years of experience in public outreach projects.

USDA Rural Housing Service Announces Latest Customer Service Innovation for Multi-Family Borrowers, (Rd.usda.gov 5/5)

USDA Rural Development today announced the most recent version of the Preliminary Assessment Tool (PAT) designed by the Rural Housing Service (RHS) that will improve customer service by helping Multi-Family Housing (MFH) borrowers, applicants and RHS staff to improve customer service when Multi-Family transfers and Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization (MPR) program transactions are done. Link