The Yonder Calendar

Far from the Beltway debates, rural America is home to nearly 60 million people, and home to thousands of stories that affect them. People in flyover states get sick. Have emergencies.

Go hungry. Need medical care close to home. Have stories to tell. AHCJ’s Rural Health Journalism Workshop 2012 in Omaha, Neb., will offer journalists resources and story ideas about special health concerns of rural populations and how reporters can better cover these stories. It’s designed for any journalist who covers news – not just reporters on the health beat – to leave with solid knowledge, better resources and ideas you can use in your own community.

This is a special one-day, no-fee workshop to help you find and cover health stories in rural America. Just join AHCJ – or make sure your membership is up to date – to attend. The workshop will focus on:

Hunger in the Heartland:Reporting on food insecurity

Training and keeping rural health care professionals

Growing up rural: The status of children

The future of non-traditional medical providers Health care survival as a local business story

Rural health emergencies in the 21st century

Website: http://www.healthjournalism.org/calendar-details.php?id=742

The wacky folks in Lucas have always been known for their keen sense of humor.
The town of 407 residents is home to the “Garden of Eden,” which features the peculiar work of S.P. Dinsmoor. He was a retired schoolteacher and Civil War veteran who sculpted 113 tons of concrete into various religious and political figures in his backyard.
In recent years, it has become known as the grassroots art capital of Kansas, in large part because it is home to the Grassroots Art Center dedicated to 20th-century Kansas grassroots folk art.
But now, Lucas can add one more notch in its quirky belt: The town has turned to bathroom humor and created a monument making Lucas home of the largest, most blingy toilet in Kansas.
The town has been working on its $100,000 public restroom project for the past four years, and it is almost complete.
Bids are currently being taken on e-Bay for the honor of a first flush, which is scheduled for 3:21 p.m. on June 2 in Lucas. As of late last week, 19 bids had been received; the highest was $110.
The town has scheduled activities throughout the day on June 2, beginning at 10 a.m., to celebrate.
Why a toilet?
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/05/17/3616053/town-of-lucas-auctioning-fi...

Eighth Annual East Central Minnesota Pride—one of America’s only rural prides—this year themed “Equality Matters: A Rainbow Rendezvous,” a celebration of GLBTQ rural life. Vendors, silent auction, food, homespun fun and entertainment. Scheduled to perform live are Chastity Brown, Yasen Marie, Harley Wood, andl Nobody’s Weddin’. All ages welcome. Admission is free. Call Don at (763) 444-7984 or E-mail info@menscircle.org or search for “East Central Minnesota Pride” on Facebook.

Website: http://www.incommons.org/node/5072

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces the availability of $993,000 in grant funds to be competitively awarded for the Household Water Well System Grant Program for fiscal year 2012. RUS will make grants to qualified private non-profit organizations to establish lending programs for homeowners to borrow up to $11,000 to construct or repair household water wells for an existing home. Deadline June 4, 2012. Contact Joyce M. Taylor: Community Programs Specialist, Water Programs Division, Water and Environmental Programs JoyceM.Taylor@wdc.usda.gov

Website: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-05-03/html/2012-10615.htm

Health Resources Services Administration announces grants to states to assist them in providing support to health professions to repay educational debt for providing primary health services in areas where there are shortages of health professionals. @19 grants: total funding $10 million. Deadline June 5, 2012

Website: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=165133

Fires devastated Central Texas more than a year ago. People are rebuilding. The "Heart of Texas Green Expo," June 8-9, 2012 at the Bastrop Convention Center features 50+ speakers and panels/demonstrations on green sustainable living and building, including John Ikerd, widely celebrated economist, teacher, author and public advocate for an economics for sustainability, nationally syndicated radio talk show host Howard Garrett, "The Dirt Doctor," and nationally acclaimed Architect Peter Pfeiffer, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects with a life-long commitment to "mainstreaming green building in North America."
Friday sessions focus on issues of interest for city planners, architects and green builders (CEU's applicable.) Saturday indoor and outdoor exhibits featuring alternative energy including solar, wind, geothermal, and more,

A one hour webinar on how to create sustainable rural prosperity will feature speakers John Pender of the Economic Research Service and Deborah Markley of RUPRI's Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. They'll discuss how rural communities can create and sustain wealth. Join the webinar on June 12 by visiting http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/cfare/

It takes place at 2 pm Eastern Time.

Website: http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/cfare/

A two-day conference hosted by University of Texas/San Antonio is set to help Texas communities build sustainable economies. Regional leaders and economic development pros will gather to chart long-term plans for small towns, offering workshops on new market development, resource development and sustainability. Brian Dabson, director of the Rural Futures Lab at University of Missouri will give the keynote address.

For more information or to register for the Texas Rural Challenge, please visit http://ruraltexaschallenge.org, or contact Gilbert Gonzalez at 210-458-2877 or by email at gilbert.gonzalez@utsa.edu.

Website: http://ruraltexaschallenge.org/

A nearly complete agenda for the June conference and meetings at Alfred State College in New York is now available on line.  

It promises to be a very good event, with interesting speakers and good resource people addressing various forms of sustainability and their impacts on community assets and local wealth.  

You can register free using here.

Website: http://www.alfredstate.edu/events/sustainability-conference

This webinar features Shanna Ratner and Melissa Levy, Yellow Wood Associates, and Ines Polonius, alt Consulting. Thursday, June 14, 2012, 1 pm ET. To find out more, visit the WCRL National Community of Practice website at www.ruralwealth.org.

Register for the webinar.

Website: http://conta.cc/Ky5pHu

- concerts featuring nationally-known entertainers
- live music and entertainment
- expanded toddler's, children’s, and teen's areas
- the south’s largest WWII Reenactment
- Oak Ridge history exhibits
- Manhattan Project site tours
- regional exhibitors and vendors
- arts & crafts
- TN Creates juried arts show
- festival food, fun, and more!

Website: http://secretcityfestival.com/

The Best of Rural Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Awards is the only program in the world that recognizes the best and brightest of the rural ITS community. Winning entries will be featured in a special presentation during the Opening Session on Monday, September 17th at the 2012 NRITS Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Eligibility Requirements:

• Entries should be for activities taking place in the 2011 or 2012 calendar year.
• All entries must be received by 5 p.m. (EST) on Friday, June 15, 2012.
• Entries should be detailed enough to present the merits of the entry (see link below for further information).
• ITS projects should have specific and measurable outcomes and exemplify innovation by demonstrating a ³new dimension² of performance.

Website: http://www.nritsconference.org/downloads/12documents/BestITSRuralAwardsApplication.pdf

The National Congress of American Indians – the nation’s oldest, largest and most representative national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes -- will be hosting its 2012 Mid-Year Conference in Lincoln, NE.

More than 800 tribal leaders and representatives are expected to attend general assemblies and break-out sessions during the three day conference , which will provide a forum for tribal, federal & state government and business leaders to keep abreast of issues such as: economic development, criminal jurisdiction, violence against women, tax issues, financial literacy, energy development, and homeland security.

Website: http://www.ncai.org/events/2012/06/17/2012-ncai-mid-year-conference

The Rural Utilities Service/USDA announces Community Connect grants to rural communities to provide broadband where it "does not currently exist." Grants of between $100,000 and $1,500,000 will be made to eligible applicants on a "'community-oriented connectivity' basis," for "broadband service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public
safety services." Deadline for electronic grant applications is June 18, 2012. Contact: Kenneth Kuchno, Director of Rural Utilities Service Broadband Division. 202-690-4673

Website: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_commconnect.html

U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is assembling leaders from the entertainment, foodservice and agriculture industries for two days of in-depth discussion on food production in the United States. Lively exchanges are expected as the diverse groups take on the subject of where and how Americans' food is raised.

The event, "Lights, Camera, Food: Perceptions and Realities of Farming and Ranching in America," will take place June 20-21 in Los Angeles.

Four separate discussions will bring together movers and shakers from the entertainment business, chefs, academics, large restaurant operators, journalists, local leadersfarmers and ranchers. The event will be available online at www.fooddialogues.com.

USFRA is an alliance of prominent farmer- and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners to lead the dialogue and answer Americans’ questions about how their food is raised.

"We chose Los Angeles because of the influence the region and its opinion leaders have on popular culture and trends that affect the entire nation – including how we view our food,” said Bob Stallman, chairman of USFRA and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “The in-depth discussions will not only move the conversation forward about how food is grown and raised, but it will also give those in the agricultural industry the opportunity to learn more from consumers and their needs and expectations for the food-growing industries."

Website: http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/USFRA-sets-Food-Dialogues-discussion-June-20-21-154182895.html

A plan for distributed renewable energy systems, to replace coal-burning power plants. Rory McIlmoil, presenter
This is a conference call, 7:30-8:30 pm EDT, June 21, 2012

Call: 1-866-740-1260
Access code: 8931147
No RSVP necessary

Website: http://www.readytalk.com

Why should rural news media leave a monumental election for president to the big newspapers and networks when all politics is local? "If dailies rely on The Associated Press, the coverage won’t be localized," says Al Cross, head of the Institute for Rural Journalism. "If weeklies just stick to local news, they will ignore a major topic of discussion among their readers – who, in the dozen or so swing states, can provide the margin of victory or defeat. And covering the race can help a newspaper’s maintain and build its brand as the most authoritative local source of news and information."

During the hour-long event, Cross will explain why AP, as great at it is, can never provide what the local paper can: the meat and potatoes behind the a major topic of discussion on the lips of its readers. Even in non-contested states, there will be much talk about the race, and efforts to associate nominees with candidates in their parties, favorably or unfavorably.

Cost is $35.

Website: http://www.uky.edu/CommInfoStudies/IRJCI/IowaPresCoverageWebinarAd.pdf

The 2012 National Value-Added Conference will investigate how partnerships between economic development agencies, communities and businesses enhance the quality of life for rural residents by fostering civic infrastructure, strengthening the sustainability of agricultural production, promoting value-added products and improving economic opportunities consistent with the scale and capacity of the community. Hosted by Michigan State University Product Center.

Website: http://www.agmrc.org/national_value_added_agriculture_conference.cfm

Bill Gates, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Headline National Convocation: 150 Year Legacy of the Morrill Act and the Future of Public Universities.

More than 500 members of the land-grant university community, academia, philanthropy, government and industry are expect to attend: 150 Years of the Morrill Act: Advancing the Legacy. This historic day-long program features several key speakers and dynamic panel discussions exploring the past, present and future of public higher education.

Website: http://www.cvent.com/events/2012-aplu-convocation-150-years-of-the-morrill-act-advancing-the-legacy/agenda-17276733c64b40b4839b34bfc90148bb.aspx

(The festival occurs in two blocks: June 27-July 1 and July 4-8.)
The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., celebrates the folkways and honors tradition bearers from across the United States and around the world. Nearly 1 million people visit the festival, held every year since 1967.
The 2012 festival includes “Campus and Community: Public and Land-grant Universities and the USDA at 150.” The programs celebrates 150 years of partnership among universities, the USDA and communities.
“Campus and Community” will focus on four themes that reflect the current work of public and land-grant universities and the USDA: reinventing agriculture, sustainable solutions, transforming communities and building on tradition. Each theme area of the program will allow visitors to interact with university and USDA staff, professors, students and community members highlighting exciting research and engagement projects. More than 20 land-grant and public universities will participate in this year’s Festival.
The festival includes music, demonstrations, lectures, food, and a host of other activities. All events are free.

Website: http://www.festival.si.edu/index.aspx

Drought conditions that have plagued the Southwest United States for many years are now spreading to other areas of the country, with about half the nation under abnormally dry conditions. How long-term drought conditions impact regional and national agricultural production and food systems will be the subject of the Farm Foundation ® Forum on Wednesday, June 27.

The Forum will open with presentations by:

Matthew Rosencrans of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA);
Jay Armstrong of Armstrong Farms, Kansas;
Kitty Smith of American Farmland Trust; and
David Anderson of Texas A&M University.

No charge, but RSVP to: julie@farmfoundation.org

Website: http://www.farmfoundation.org/webcontent/Farm-Foundation-Forums-363.aspx?z=85&a=363

Meeting of the National Council on the Arts, advisory body to the National Endowment for the Arts: Friday, June 29, 9:00-11:30 a.m. EDT in room M-09 of The Nancy Hanks Center, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The public is invited to attend in person or watch the live webcast at http://www.arts.gov .

The first presentation looks at the NEA's Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD), a program that works to enhance the quality of life and economic viability of rural areas. CIRD does this through design workshops it organizes that gather local leaders together with experts in planning, design, and creative placemaking to assist with locally identified issues.

Richard S. Hawks, chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the State University of New York at Syracuse, and Shelley S. Mastran, a visiting professor of natural resources and urban affairs and planning at Virginia Tech University, manage the program on behalf of the NEA and will discuss its accomplishments to date.

Website: http://www.arts.gov/

This gathering in The Plains, Ohio, will be Rural Action's Annual Meeting. Sustainability Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award will be given during the meeting. Chuck Fluharty will be the keynote speaker. This event is free to all Rural Action Members and is $25 for non-members. the first $20 will be applied to a one year membership.Find us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ruralaction or visit our website at www.ruralaction.org.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/events/138343482966458/