The Yonder Calendar

Founded by documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, this film festival puts its emphasis on foreign films, American independents, documentaries, and films which have been overlooked.

Classic movies show free of charge on a giant, inflatable outdoor screen overlooking Grand Traverse Bay in the Open Space Park at dusk.

Panel discussions with directors, writers, actors, and other members of the film industry are offered daily, for free. And an affordable film school runs throughout the festival, offering twice daily classes for film students and film lovers.

Festival runs July 31-August 5.

Website: http://www.traversecityfilmfest.org/

8th annual Rural Route Film Festival created to highlight works that deal with rural people and places.

Website: http://ruralroutefilms.com/updates/

The 2012 Prevention of Youth Substance Abuse in Rural Communities: Reaching Out to Missing Partners is a training conference that emphasizes the unique challenges of conducting youth prevention in rural communities. The conference was founded in hopes of raising awareness of the plight that many rural communities face with regards to the prevention of youth substance abuse.

If paid by July 16th, the full conference fee is $150.00. After July 16th, full conference registration is $200. If three people from the same organization register, the third registrant will be free. Pre-conference workshops are priced at $175 and $200.

Website: http://www.coalitionforhealthyyouth.org/

Midwest Community Development Initiative is a four-day training program held each August in Moline, Illinois. The training is practical, hands-on, and comprehensive. The program is designed for development professionals, community leaders, and elected officials. The complete CDI program consists of attending three sessions, referred to as Year One, Year Two, and Year Three.

Website: http://www.midwestcdi.org/

To help state officials prepare for the big changes that could lie ahead with the new Farm Bill reauthorization, the Economic Research Service, Ag Clips and other organizations will host a forum for discussing congressional activities related to the Farm Bill reauthorization. Call is scheduled for Aug 7, 11 am, Eastern.

To participate, contact Carolyn Orr at corr@sarl.us or Jonathan Watts Hull at jhull@csg.org

The Poverty Experience is a simulation designed to help participants understand what it might be like to be a part of a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month. The participants assume roles of up to 26 different "families" living in poverty. The task of the families is to provide for basic necessities and shelter for one "month" consisting of four fifteen-minute "weeks." The simulation is conducted in a room with "families" seated in groups in the center. Around the perimeter are tables representing community resources and services for families. These services include a bank, food pantry, health clinic, welfare office, grocery store, employment office, and other services. The simulation includes introduction and debriefing that will include discussion on poverty.

Website: http://www.indianaruralhealth.org/index.php?src=events&category=Main%20Events%20Lister&srctype=detail&category=Main%20Events%20Lister&refno=320

This is the annual meeting of the Organization for Competitive Markets. There will be a program on Friday, August 10, and a membership meeting the next day.

Speakers include former GIPSA administrator Dudley Butler, Auburn economist Robert Taylor, RCALF's Bill Bullard, the president of the Humane Society USA Wayne Parcelle, Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen and writer Barry Lynn.

For more information, go here: http://www.competitivemarkets.com/events/

Website: http://www.competitivemarkets.com/events/

The 2012 Livable Regions and Communities in Appalachia workshops will share information
about strategies that Appalachian communities can use to enhance community vitality and
economic competitiveness. The workshops aim to share resources and discuss opportunities and challenges for local development districts, local governments, and their partners in supporting long-term community goals.

Website: http://www.arc.gov/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=336

USDA has re-issued a notice of funding availability from 2011 for the Section 515 Multi-Family Housing Preservation Revolving Loan Fund: Demonstration Program because it did not receive enough applications to utilize all available funds. Grants may be used to carry out a demonstration program to provide revolving loans for the preservation and revitalization of low-income multi-family housing in rural areas. (The link, provided by the Rural Community Developers Network, goes to a PDF.)

Website: http://rurallisc.createsend3.com/t/r-l-hklhqt-tiyuduith-o/

The purpose of the “Mini-grant” program of the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS) is to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury. Funds are allocated to support projects that: a) test innovative strategies; b) strengthen partnerships between safety professionals; agricultural organizations, and the media; and c) translate research findings into practical applications.

Website: http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/nccrahs/default.aspx?page=nccrahs_minigrants

Visitors from across the country will flock to Barnesville, Minnesota in August 2012 to experience two days of zany potato activities, taste tempting potato specialties and small town hospitality.

Renowned for its potato production, Barnesville draws on their potato heritage for two days of ‘spud’riffic fun during the annual Potato Days Festival. Each year, over 20,000 tater lovers from across the country descend on this town of 2,200 to enjoy bushels of free fun for the whole family.

Often selected as one of the best summer festivals in the nation, the Barnesville Potato Days Festival is always a’peel’ing because of its many unique activities, such as mashed potato wrestling or the Miss Tator Tot Pageant. The festival takes issue with anyone who might think the lowly potato is brown and boring!

It is events like that and the unlikely mix of picking and peeling, carving, car races and cooking, sacking and sculpting that continue to attract and intrigue festival goers each and every year. Add to that a menu that includes Norwegian lefse, potato pancakes, french fries, potato sausage, potato soup, German potato dumplings and you’ve got an award winning combination sure to please young and old alike.

So make plans to visit us in Barnesville, Minnesota on August 24 and 25, 2012 for a "smashing" great time!

Website: http://www.potatodays.com/

This festival at the foot of Grandfather Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina features artists such as Sam Bush, the Hackensaw Boys, the Black Lilies and musical hosts Railroad Earth. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit environmental and social-justice group Appalachian Voices. Promoters say the festival is "built upon sustainable and green practices ... [and] sets itself apart by its efforts to bring great music to Boone [NC] and to limit its environmental footprint."

Website: http://musiconthemountaintop.com/

The goal of the Fellows program is to educate, develop and inspire a networked community of rural health leaders who will step forward to serve in key positions in the National Rural Health Association, affiliated rural health advocacy groups and local and state legislative bodies. The Rural Health Fellows meet in person three times throughout the year to undergo intensive leadership and advocacy training. In addition, Fellows take part in monthly conference calls to supplement their training, receive updates on legislative and regulatory concerns that impact rural health, and participate in a mentorship program with current members of the NRHA Board of Trustees. Fellows should be committed to advocating on behalf of rural health and should be dedicated to the NRHA's mission.

Website: http://www.ruralhealthweb.org/go/left/programs-and-events/rural-health-fellows/rural-health-fellows-program-application