PUBLICATIONS
Children accounted for 44 percent of SNAP participants in 2013
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is USDA’s largest food and nutrition assistance program. In an average month in fiscal 2014, the program provided 46.5 million low-income Americans with benefits to purchase food at authorized food stores. In fiscal 2013 (the latest year for which demographic data are available), adults age 18-59 accounted for 46.4 percent of participants, young children (birth to age 4) accounted for 14.3 percent of participants, school-age children (5-17 years) accounted for 30.1 percent of participants, and the elderly accounted for 9.3 percent of participants. The composition of SNAP participants has shifted over the past decade, particularly after the 2007-09 recession, as more working-age adults became eligible for the program and applied for benefits. Adults’ share of the SNAP caseload increased from 42.1 percent of participants in 2006, while young children’s share of the SNAP caseload fell from 16.6 percent in 2006, and school-age children’s share fell from 32.7 percent. Elderly participants’ share of the SNAP caseload increased slightly from 8.7 percent in fiscal 2006. A chart is available at Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials.
TOOLS
Organizations Serving Cooperatives – a directory of sorts on types of cooperative associations involved in agriculture, consumer credit, utilities, housing, and other sectors. Contact information provided.
http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RuralCoop_JulyAug.pdf
Leadership compass activity - Teamwork begins with self-awareness and awareness of other people’s leadership styles. We can’t be good at everything so we need to bring together people with different styles and talents. This worksheet will help you and your team figure out how you can work collaboratively across leadership styles.
Finding Statistics and Data Related to Rural Health - Find rural and local-level statistics and data, and learn how to fairly and accurately use the information in this newly updated topic guide. The guide was developed by RAC Information Resources Manager Maren Niemeier, with guidance from Kimberly Davis, U.S. Census Bureau; Tim Parker, USDA Economic Research Service; Mandi Peterson, University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health; Jan Probst, South Carolina Rural Health Research Center; and Fred Ullrich, University of Iowa College of Public Health.
Community Vitality and Rural Healthcare - Focuses on the linkage between rural healthcare and the economic strength and overall vitality of the community. This recently updated guide was developed by Kathleen Spencer, RAC Information Specialist with assistance from Gerald Doeksen, Cheryl St. Clair, and Fred Eilrich, National Center for Rural Health Works; and Jo Anne Preston, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative.
Rural Migrant Health - Visit this updated guide to learn about the challenges and health disparities that migrant and seasonal farmworkers face, and find solutions for your community to assist them with accessing healthcare services and gaining health insurance coverage. The guide was developed by Kathleen Spencer, RAC Information Specialist with assistance from Colleen Reinert and Genoveva Martinez, MHP Salud.
LEARNING
The Small Business Administration and the Kauffman Foundation have announced an August 25 discussion of how Millennial entrepreneurs can find — and harness the power of — their startup communities within their own respective cities. http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/Founders-School/Blog/2015/August/How-Do-You-Find-Your-Startup-Community.aspx
The one-hour chat begins at 12:00 p.m. CDT. Questions will be tweeted out from @SBAgov and retweeted by @KauffmanFS. Participate in the chat by following @KauffmanFS, @SBAgov and the hashtag #MillennialTreps on Twitter.
Rural Gateway Peer-To-Peer Conference Call: The State of Infrastructure in Rural America: A Discussion of Best Practices - September 3, 2015 - 2 PM EDT
The Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development (ORHED) invites you to take part in our next Peer-to-Peer conference call. Scheduled for September 3, 2015, this call will offer participants the opportunity to learn more about available programs through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Topics to be discussed:
- Planning Transportation Infrastructure in Rural America (FHWA)
- Transit to Meet the Needs of Rural Americans (FTA)
- Transportation Safety (FHWA/NHTSA)
- Practices and Technical Assistance Across the Department (all)
Format of the call - Call-in instructions and additional materials will be emailed to participants on September 2, 2015. The 60-minute call will include presentations and a Q&A session. Please RSVP by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than close of business on September 1, 2015. Please include your name and organization. If you have any questions, please call 1-877-RURAL-26 (1-877-787-2526).
Why Local Food Matters - September 10th at 11 AM – Eastern Time. No advance registration is required. Simply click on the link on the day to join. Enter as Guest with just your name. https://msues.adobeconnect.com/_a828402417/srdc/. Speaker: Debra Tropp, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Winning Technology-friendly Grants for K-12 - Sponsored by NetApp - Tue, Sep 22, 2015 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT Show in My Time Zone
From elementary literacy initiatives to college and career readiness programs, grants can enable school districts to transform the technology they use in the classroom, in the office, and even in the home. But in order to get the benefit of all this funding, you have to know where to look and how to effectively pursue the right opportunities for your…Read more
Where did all the people go? One reason you’re getting a low turnout and 10 things you can do about it - f you’ve ever organized or attended a community event like a town hall meeting, a meet and greet with your lawmaker or a public forum and were surprised that not many people showed up, you’re not alone. See why you might be encountering this problem, and what you can do about it.
