Source: MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
SRDC BASE FUNDING FY18
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1016801
Grant No.
2018-51150-28697
Cumulative Award Amt.
$474,880.00
Proposal No.
2018-04378
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2018
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2020
Grant Year
2018
Program Code
[UU.R]- Rural Development Centers
Recipient Organization
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
(N/A)
MISSISSIPPI STATE,MS 39762
Performing Department
Southern Rural Development Cen
Non Technical Summary
The SRDC will focus on the 3 priorities that impact the sustainability of Southern rural communities, as identified by the Technical and Operational Advisory Committee and approved by the Board of Directors in October 2016. These priorities are: (1) Develop Pathways to Resilient Communities. (2) Build Strategic Partnerships. (3) Mobilize Resources around Emerging lssues and Opportunities. The Center will continue to strengthen the engagement of people in their communities through Stronger Economies Together (SET), Leaders in Economic Alliance Development (LEAD), SERA 47 Local Food Systems, and partnerships with national organizations with similar missions, while giving attention to emerging issues such as heirs' property, infrastructure needs, and community capacity building. The SRDC will continue to undertake a variety of activities to keep its stakeholders (especially our region's 30 land-grant schools) aware of key rural development opportunities and activities. Collectively, these efforts are designed to help strengthen the capacity of our region's land-grant schools to focus on high priority rural development research and Extension outreach efforts. ln support of all three priorities, the Center will also invest in these important endeavors: (a) Provide leadership to the southern CRD State Program Leaders, (b) Collaborate with the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals, and (c) Maintain active communication with land-grant faculty and other clientele in the South through monthly newsletters, listservs, social media, and other avenues.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
6086050301025%
6086099301025%
8056050301025%
8056099301025%
Knowledge Area
805 - Community Institutions, Health, and Social Services; 608 - Community Resource Planning and Development;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other; 6050 - Communities, areas, and regions;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics;
Goals / Objectives
The SRDC's strategic plan identifies three priorities relevant and vital to the key needs and issues in the rural South: 1. Priority One: Develop Pathways for Vibrant Communities. SRDC will (a) facilitate, coordinate, evaluate and refine the Stronger Economy Together (SET) and Leaders in Economic Alliance Development (LEAD) programs, (b) continue to support existing work on local food systems through the SERA 47, (c) develop curriculum and facilitate extensive education of university faculty and staff around the topic of civil dialogue, (d) provide leadership to the national Extension team focused on broadband access and adoption. 2. Priority Two: Build Strategic Partnerships. SRDC will identify existing partners and their assets in addition to creating and enhancing partnerships among LGU, non-LGU, private foundations, and governmental agencies with the goal of (a) coordinating research and Extension teams around high priority topics and (b) connecting Extension to communities and non-traditional partners. Specific to this goal, SRDC will continue to provide support and leadership to the Southern Region Program Leadership Network. 3. Priority Three: Mobilize Resources around Emerging Issues. SRDC will focus on emerging areas as identified by its Board of Directors and Technical Operations and Advisory Committee as well as other stakeholder groups throughout the year. Topics identified by these two groups include community capacity building, infrastructure needs, and issues around heirs' property. Additional emerging issues include small business innovation development in underserved areas and opportunities around economic prosperity in the retail and hospitality sectors in rural communities. The SRDC will collaborate with land grant partners to gauge interest and capacity to respond, and to initiate and sustain research and Extension programming to build and support these emerging issues across the region as appropriate.
Project Methods
1. Develop Pathways for Vibrant Communities:Stronger Economies Together (SET): Continue to provide overall coordination for the SET initiative as the program completes its seventh phase. In keeping with the Cooperative Agreement. SRDC will coordinate an evaluation process that includes participant surveys, coaches' reports, and leveraging monitoring.LEAD - Continue to explore opportunities to advance LEAD through a partnership and planning process that enables local residents to accomplish a specific economic goal.Civil Dialogue - Conduct a national Train-the-Trainer workshop and coordinate the resulting pilot efforts.Broadband Access - Convene the National Broadband Extension Team to develop a Plan of Work. Facilitate the efforts throughout the year.SERA 47 - Local Food Systems - Support the annual meeting and development of the annual Plan of Work for the SERA47 project.2. Build Strategic Partnerships:Explore partnership opportunities around emerging issues as well as existing efforts (such as broadband, local foods, heirs' property, etc.) Coordinate the annual Southern Region Program Leadership Network Joint Meeting.3. Priority Three: Mobilize Resources around Emerging Issues:Community Capacity Building - Work with the CRD State Program Leaders in the region to identify training needs related to community development; seek and/or develop opportunities to advance the needed skills.Infrastructure (emphasis on water/sewer) - Develop a call for interest among the region's LGU research and Extension colleagues to identify those currently working or interested in working on related issues in the South.Heirs' Property - Coordinate and collaborate with partners to initiate research and Extension programming to build and support state and regional education programs.Retail and Hospitality Economic Development - Coordinate pilot effort to develop programs to address the crucial factors of workforce development in these sectors.Entrepreneurship - Assist the Western Rural Development Center in conducting training workshops for potential grant applicants to better understand SBIR grants processes

Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The SRDC's strategic plan identifies three priorities relevant and vital to the key needs and issues in the rural South: 1. Priority One: Develop Pathways for Vibrant Communities. SRDC will (a) facilitate, coordinate, evaluate and refine the Stronger Economy Together (SET) and Leaders in Economic Alliance Development (LEAD) programs, (b) continue to support existing work on local food systems through the SERA 47, (c) develop curriculum and facilitate extensive education of university faculty and staff around the topic of civil dialogue, (d) provide leadership to the national Extension team focused on broadband access and adoption. 2. Priority Two: Build Strategic Partnerships. SRDC will identify existing partners and their assets in addition to creating and enhancing partnerships among LGU, non-LGU, private foundations, and governmental agencies with the goal of (a) coordinating research and Extension teams around high priority topics and (b) connecting Extension to communities and non-traditional partners. Specific to this goal, SRDC will continue to provide support and leadership to the Southern Region Program Leadership Network. 3. Priority Three: Mobilize Resources around Emerging Issues. SRDC will focus on emerging areas as identified by its Board of Directors and Technical Operations and Advisory Committee as well as other stakeholder groups throughout the year. Topics identified by these two groups include community capacity building, infrastructure needs, and issues around heirs' property. Additional emerging issues include small business innovation development in underserved areas and opportunities around economic prosperity in the retail and hospitality sectors in rural communities. The SRDC will collaborate with land grant partners to gauge interest and capacity to respond, and to initiate and sustain research and Extension programming to build and support these emerging issues across the region as appropriate. Changes/Problems:COVID-19 required many of the SRDC efforts to rapidly adapt to new environments, primarily around translating learning and collaboration efforts into online platforms. Through this, the SRDC was able to continue working on all relevant goals and also learned new skills in online program delivery. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Sept. 23-26, 2019 - Welborn, R., & Dudensing, R. Community Prosperity Summit Train-the-Trainer Workshop, Houston, TX October 2, 2019 - National CRED Indicators Webinar. The 'But for' Principle: Getting to Your Impact. October 7-11, 2019 - Welborn, R., Pizaña, D., Abdullah, C., Emery, M., Kay, D., Smith, C., & Whiting, G. Coming Together for Racial Understanding, Bloomington, MN November 11, 2019 - Welborn, R. Applying DEI Principles on Campuses and in Communities.Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA November 12-15, 2019 - CRD 101 and Facilitative Leadership. Facilitative Leadership, Dallas, TX December 4, 2019 - Welborn, R., & Garner, R. Heirs' Property Planning Meeting, Atlanta, GA December 4-6, 2019 - Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Conference, Atlanta, GA December 12, 2019 - SERA-47 Annual Conference, Savannah, GA January 22, 2020 - Webinar. Welborn, R. Shifting from Debate to Dialogue: Let's Talk. In collaboration with the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals. January 30, 2020 - Webinar. 2020 Census. February 12, 2020 - Webinar. Heirs' Property Project: Where Are We Now? February 24-25, 2020 - Southern Region Heirs' Property Planning Meeting, Atlanta, GA March 2, 2020 - Webinar. Welborn, R., Boyster, S., Kahl, D., Robinson, J., & Vines, N. Working with Virtual Teams in a Research Context. In collaboration with Mississippi State University Office of the Vice President for Research. March 19, 2020 - Southern CRD Webinar. The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing: AddressingHousing Issues from the Bottom Up. March 23, 2020 - Webinar. Langford, G., & Welborn, R. Introduction to CREATE BRIDGES. April 10, 2020 - Webinar. Onboarding and Training for Phase II State Coaches. April 14, 2020 - Southern CRD Webinar. Rural Resiliency - How to Support Mental Health in Rural Communities April 29, 2020 - Webinar. Welborn, R., & Davis, A. Using Ripple Mapping to Plan COVID Responses in Family and Consumer Science. In collaboration with University of Kentucky, Center for EconomicDevelopment in Kentucky (CEDIK) May 14, 2020 - Webinar. Onboarding and Training for Phase II State Coaches. May 26, 2020 - Webinar. Onboarding and Training for Phase II State Coaches. June 3-5, 2020 - CREATE BRIDGES Webinar. Help your business survive and thrive. Presenter: Dr. James Barnes, Mississippi State University June 24, 2020 - Virtual Conference. Oklahoma Community Prosperity Summit. June 26, 2020 - Webinar. Welborn, R., Pizaña, D., Latimore, M., Jones, E., & Williams, C. UsingDialogues to Foster Understanding across Racial & Ethnic Groups. Presented to CooperativeExtension Service leaders in collaboration with the Extension Committee on Organization andPolicy. July 3, 2020 - Virtual Conference. Texas Community Prosperity Summit. July 8, 15, 22, 2020 - Virtual Workshop. Building Capacity to Serve Veterans Workshop. July 14-16, 2020 - Webinar. Onboarding and Training for Phase II State Coaches. July 16, 2020 - Webinar. Langford, G. & Welborn, R. Evaluating CREATE BRIDGES. July 22, 2020 - Virtual Conference. Arkansas Community Prosperity Summit. July 27-28, 2020 - Virtual Workshop. Building Capacity around Housing Workshop. August 3, 6, 2020 - Virtual Workshop. Building Capacity to Serve Youth Workshop. August 5-6, 2020 - Virtual Workshop. Building Capacity to Serve Socially Disadvantaged Farmers andRanchers Workshop. August 7, 2020 - Virtual Conference. Virginia Community Prosperity Summit. August 11-12, 2020 - Virtual Workshop. Building Capacity to Write Grants Workshop. August 24-27, 2020 - Virtual Conference. Southern Region Program Leaders Network. August 27, 2020 - Webinar. Pizaña, D., & Welborn, R. Using Dialogues to Foster Understanding across Racial & Ethnic Groups.Presented to the Association of Extension Administrators and the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? October 15-16, 2019 - Regional Rural Development Center meeting with federal agencies, Washington, D.C October 22-24, 2019 - SRDC Annual Board of Directors and Technical & Operational Advisory Committee Meeting, Starkville, MS December 4-6, 2019 - Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Conference, Atlanta, GA December 10, 2019 - 77th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Heirs' Property and Persistent Poverty: What do the Numbers Say?, Auburn, AL December 10, 2019 - 77th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Amplifying Rural Voices and the 2020 Census, Auburn, AL January 27-28, 2020 - Regional Rural Development Center meeting with federal agencies, Washington, D.C. February 4, 2020 - Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting, An Empirical Analysis Heirs' Property and Persistent Poverty, Louisville, KY February 7, 2020 - CREATE BRIDGES interest webinar for Community and Economic Development specialists at Land-Grant Universities. April 20-21, 2020 - Regional Rural Development Center meeting with federal agencies, Virtual Meeting August 25, 2020 - SRDC Annual Update to the Association of Extension Administrators, Virtual Meeting August 26, 2020 - SRDC Annual Update to the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors, Virtual Meeting August 27, 2020 - CREATE BRIDGES One-pager. Monthly Calls - Extension Committee on Operations and Policy Program Committee, Coming Together for Racial Understanding. Monthly Calls - Regional Rural Development Centers. Collaboration on rural issues facing the nation. Monthly Calls - National Digital Education Extension Team. Rural broadband issues. Quarterly Calls - SRDC Board of Directors (January 29, April 16, July 15) Quarterly Calls - SRDC Technical Operations and Advisory Committee (January 27, April 13, July 13) Monthly Around the South Newsletter, electronic distribution to 900 subscribers Annual Report distributed to over 200 stakeholder groups, program leaders, and other various groups 15 Listservs representing various stakeholder groups within Cooperative Extension Service, Research, & by topics of significance to the rural South such as broadband, local foods, heirs' property, etc. Community Resource Development webinars reaching 349 total viewers both nationally and in the southern region What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?While this funding closes, SRDC will continue to focus on three priorities that impact the sustainability of Southern rural communities, as identified by the Technical and Operational Advisory Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. These priorities are: (1) Develop Pathways to Resilient Communities, (2) Build Strategic Partnerships, and (3) Mobilize Resources around Emerging Issues and Opportunities. This work will entail continuing to support existing multi-state efforts such as local and regional foods, broadband, CREATE BRIDGES efforts, the Southern Region Program Leadership Network, heirs' property, and Coming Together for Racial Understanding.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Southern Rural Development Center has worked diligently to build capacity around key rural development issues across the South, and in some instances, across the nation, working with Land-Grant University partners through Extension and research. In spite of the challenges that COVID-19 has brought, this year's efforts have resulted in 32 training workshops conducted, eight multi-state teams formed or supported, six curriculum developed or expanded, $1,726,000 leveraged, and several new partnerships established, each of which has served to advance rural development. Among the topics addressed were civil dialogue around race relations, local foods, retail economies, socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers, veterans, youth, broadband, and heirs' property. More specific details are provided below. . Under the three overarching goals, SRDC has completed the following: 1. Priority One: Develop Pathways for Vibrant Communities. (a) SRDC facilitated evaluation and refinement of the Stronger Economies Together (SET) and Leaders in Economic Alliance Development (LEAD) to complete the project in which ran for seven years in partnership with USDA Rural Development. With over 100 multi-state regions participating, the project guided regions to leveraging over $200 for every dollar invested in the Cooperative Agreement between SRDC and USDA Rural Development. Additionally, LEAD curriculum was adapted to meet the needs of four Community Prosperity Summits, in partnership with the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. Over 500 rural community members participated in the four summits designed to help them better connect to USDA resources. SET materials have also been adapted to meet the needs of the new CREATE BRIDGES initiative, which focuses on the retail sector in rural places. (b) SRDC continued to facilitate the SERA 47 Local Foods initiative. A special issue of the Community Development Society journal based on the local foods efforts was completed in as a result of this funding. During this year's annual meeting (December 2020), this group will be preparing its next 5-year proposal. SRDC will be aiding in that process. (c) Coming Together for Racial Understanding, a curriculum around civil dialogue, was launched in August 2018 with 20 states participating. In 2019, six more teams were trained. SRDC has continued to support these teams throughout the year through monthly coaching calls, emails, and webinars. A tandem research team has formed to examine the ways participants feel supported in advancing civil dialogue efforts. Currently, this team is analyzing survey results exploring how this work is best supported. This team also completed a pilot ripple mapping process for gauging early impacts. (d) SRDC provided leadership to the National Digital Education Extension Team (NDEET), a national team of CES professionals working to build CES capacity to respond to broadband access and usage needs in communities. This team was instrumental in helping develop materials to launch the 4H/Microsoft Tech Changemakers project focusing on building digital literacy skills in communities just gaining access to broadband. Five training events engaged approximately 370 youth and adult participants to advance digital literacy in 80 counties across 13 states in 2019. SRDC and NDEET continue to support these teams as they work in communities. 2. Priority Two: Build Strategic Partnerships. Multi-state teams/alliances were formed or advanced around a number of key rural issues. The Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, Everyday Democracy, Kettering Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation joined hands in efforts to strengthen dialogues for racial understanding. Walmart joined SRDC to explore ways to strengthen retail in rural economies through the CREATE BRIDGES initiative being piloted in six states. The Southern Risk Management Center, Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Center, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and Federation of Southern Cooperatives joined SRDC in exploring issues around heirs' property along with Land-Grant University professionals from Extension and research. SRDC hosted a planning session for this group with funding from an AFRI planning grant. Additionally, the SRDC strengthened or expanded partnerships on issues around broadband access to include Microsoft, National 4-H Council, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, and USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). The Microsoft/4H partnership resulted in five train-the-trainer events (Tech Changemakers) engaging approximately 370 youth and adult participants across 80 counties in 13 states to advance digital literacy in rural places. The OPPE partnership led to four Community Prosperity Summits in which rural community members engaged with USDA staff to explore opportunities for advancing the USDA Rural and Ag. Prosperity Priorities. Over 500 individuals participated across the nation. Evaluations indicate that participants left the Summits ready to act on new opportunities discovered at the events. Additionally, this partnership resulted in five workshops focused on key rural initiatives: aiding socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers, working with youth on workforce issues, helping veterans integrate into community life, working on housing issues in communities, and building capacity on grant writing basics skills. Also, the SRDC continues to provide support for the Southern Region Program Leadership Network by coordinating the annual meeting (which was online in August 2020), providing logistic support for all committees throughout the year, and working closely with the Community Resource Development (CRD) committee (and other committees as appropriate) on issues related to rural development. Specific to the work with the CRD committee, the SRDC facilitates gathering and reporting of regional indicators. 3. Priority Three: Mobilize Resources around Emerging Issues. SRDC focused on several emerging issues during this year. To support community capacity building, SRDC has worked with the CRD State Program Leader in the South to identify potential trainings for the region. In response, SRDC hosted/facilitated back-to-back workshops on Community Development 101 and Facilitative Leadership (in conjunction with Michigan State University). As noted above, a multi-state team has now formed around heirs' property issues. COVID-19 has also led to advancements in virtual meeting skills and issues around broadband access and use. SRDC has facilitated multiple trainings around how to design effective virtual meetings and has also stepped up to facilitate sessions for others needing assistance on important topics. The NDEET broadband team has begun work on a new strategic plan to help provide even more support to rural communities.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Turner, S.C., & Green, J. (2019, December 10). Amplifying Rural Voices and the 2020 Census, Presentation. Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Auburn AL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Turner, S.C., Johnson Gaither, C., & Harri, A. (2019, December 10). Heirs Property and Persistent Poverty: What do the Numbers Say? Presentation. Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Auburn AL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Turner, S.C., Johnson Gaither, C., & Harri, A. (2020, February 4). An Empirical Analysis Heirs Property and Persistent Poverty. Presentation. Southern Agricultural Economics Association, Louisville, KY.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Turner, S.C. (2019). Theme Overview: Amplifying the Rural Voice: 2020 Census Challenges and Opportunities. Choices, Quarter 4. https://www.choicesmagazine.org/choices-magazine/theme-articles/amplifying-the-rural-voice-2020-census-challenges-and-opportunities/theme-overview-amplifying-the-rural-voice-2020-census-challenges-and-opportunities
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019). Southern Rural Development Center 2019 Annual Report. MS State: Southern Rural Development Center. http://srdc.msstate.edu/publications/annual/2019_srdc_annual-1.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, October 21). Around the South Newsletter, 15(8). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_8_oct19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, December 6). Around the South Newsletter, 15(9). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_9_dec19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019). Southern Region Community Development Extension Impacts. MS State: Southern Rural Development Center. http://srdc.msstate.edu/measuring_impact/south-initiatives.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2020, January 17). Around the South Newsletter, 16(1). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/16_1_jan20.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2020, February 18). Around the South Newsletter, 16(2). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/16_2_feb20.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2020, March 17). Around the South Newsletter, 16(3). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/16_3_mar20.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2020, April 22). Around the South Newsletter, 16(4). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/16_4_apr20.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2020, May 29). Around the South Newsletter, 16(5). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/16_5_may20.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2020, July 24). Around the South Newsletter, 16(6). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/16_6_july20.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Langford, G. (2020, August 27). CREATE BRIDGES One-pager. MS State: Southern Rural Development Center.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2020, August 28). Around the South Newsletter, 16(7). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/16_7_aug20.html
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K. (2019). Community Prosperity. http://srdc.msstate.edu/community-prosperity/


Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The SRDC's strategic plan identifies three priorities relevant and vital to the key needs and issues in the rural South: 1. Priority One: Develop Pathways for Vibrant Communities. SRDC will (a) facilitate, coordinate, evaluate and refine the Stronger Economy Together (SET) and Leaders in Economic Alliance Development (LEAD) programs, (b) continue to support existing work on local food systems through the SERA 47, (c) develop curriculum and facilitate extensive education of university faculty and staff around the topic of civil dialogue, (d) provide leadership to the national Extension team focused on broadband access and adoption. 2. Priority Two: Build Strategic Partnerships. SRDC will identify existing partners and their assets in addition to creating and enhancing partnerships among LGU, non-LGU, private foundations, and governmental agencies with the goal of (a) coordinating research and Extension teams around high priority topics and (b) connecting Extension to communities and non-traditional partners. Specific to this goal, SRDC will continue to provide support and leadership to the Southern Region Program Leadership Network. 3. Priority Three: Mobilize Resources around Emerging Issues. SRDC will focus on emerging areas as identified by its Board of Directors and Technical Operations and Advisory Committee as well as other stakeholder groups throughout the year. Topics identified by these two groups include community capacity building, infrastructure needs, and issues around heirs' property. Additional emerging issues include small business innovation development in underserved areas and opportunities around economic prosperity in the retail and hospitality sectors in rural communities. The SRDC will collaborate with land grant partners to gauge interest and capacity to respond, and to initiate and sustain research and Extension programming to build and support these emerging issues across the region as appropriate. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? October 17-18, 2018 - Welborn, R., key informant on civil dialogue, eXtension Impact Collaborative, Indianapolis, IN October 30, 2018 - Southern CRD Webinar. Citizenship in Action: How Extension can Engage and Educate Voters. November 8, 2018 - Welborn, R., Panelist, RON convening, Des Moines, IA November 12, 2018 - Southern CRD Webinar. Does Extension Need Highly Visible Educational Programs. November 20, 2018 - National CRED Indicators Webinar. What's Your Program Worth? Evaluation Strategies for Documenting the Dollar Value of Extension Programs. December 5, 2018 - Southern CRD Webinar. Community Engagement through Partnership. December 11-12, 2018 - Welborn, R., & Garner, R., Heirs' Property Steering Committee Meeting, Atlanta, GA, "Heirs' Properties: Exploring a Southern Region Approach" January 14, 2019 - Webinar. CREATE BRIDGES Asset Mapping. Presenters: Dunn, J. & Siems, S. January 15-16, 2019 - 4-H Tech Changemaker National Program Leaders' Workshop, Chevy Chase, MD January 22, 2019 - Southern CRD Webinar. Exploring Ways to Engage Limited Resource Communities in Disaster Education - Strategies from the 1890 EDEN Advisory Group February 22-23, 2019 - 4-H Tech Changemaker Regional Train-the-Trainer Workshop, Chevy Chase, MD February 28, 2019 - Southern CRD Webinar. Empowering Minority Students with an Entrepreneurial Mindset March 1-2, 2019 - 4-H Tech Changemaker Regional Train-the-Trainer Workshop, Columbus, OH March 5, 2019 - Webinar. Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation: How to Convene a Conversation. Presenter: Gwen Whiting, Everyday Democracy. March 15-16, 2019 - 4-H Tech Changemaker Regional Train-the-Trainer Workshop, Chicago, IL March 18, 2019 - Webinar. Coming Together for Racial Healing Planning Process. Presenter: Cade Smith, University of Mississippi. March 26, 2019 - Southern CRD Webinar. Equipping Georgia's New Farmers for Success April 16-19, 2019 - National Sustainability Summit & National Extension Energy Summit, Tampa, FL April 22, 2019 - National CRED Indicators Webinar. Decision-Making Tools and Methods for Communities April 26, 2019 - Southern CRD Webinar. Building a Regional Coalition for Natural Resource Conservation May-August, 2019 - Business Retention and Expansion Volunteer Trainings. Ash Flat, AR; Lockesburg, AR; Barnsdall, OK; Bristow, OK; Cleveland, OK; Grove, OK; Pawnee, OK; Pryor, OK; Sallisaw, OK; Tahlequah, OK. Presenters: Dunn, J. B., McCullough, Shideler, D. W., & Siems, S. May 23-24, 2019 - Community Prosperity Summit, Philadelphia, PA - Helping rural communities address USDA Ag & Rural Prosperity Priorities through USDA resources. May 29-30, 2019 - Community Prosperity Summit, Houston, TX - Helping rural communities address USDA Ag & Rural Prosperity Priorities through USDA resources. May 30, 2019 - Southern CRD Webinar. Community Food Systems: A Space for Ecology, Justice, and Markets June 12-13, 2019 - Coming Together for Racial Healing Workshop, Jackson, MS. Presenters: Becky Smith, Mississippi State University; Cade Smith, University of Mississippi. June 18, 2019 - Southern CRD Webinar. Telling the Whole Story: Economic Contribution and Cotton Cooperatives June 19-20, 2019 - Community Prosperity Summit, Phoenix, AZ - Helping rural communities address USDA Ag & Rural Prosperity Priorities through USDA resources. June 25-26, 2019 - Community Prosperity Summit, Atlanta, GA - Helping rural communities address USDA Ag & Rural Prosperity Priorities through USDA resources. July 26, 2019 - Southern CRD Webinar. Creating Bridges for the Rural Retail Workforce: Bringing Businesses and Employees Together to Identify Long-Term Employment Solutions for Rural Retail July 26, 2019 - Webinar. 2020 Census: What Can Cooperative Extension Contribute? Sept. 16-19, 2019 - Faith-Based Community Prosperity Convening, Washington, DC Sept. 24-25, 2019 - Community Prosperity Summit Train-the-Trainer Workshop, Houston, TX How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? October 1-2, 2018 - Extension Committee on Operations and Policy, Portland, OR October 5, 2018 - SRDC meeting with Alabama Cooperative Extension Service Director and Staff, Auburn University, AL October 18, 2018 - SRDC input to NIFA Listening Session, New Orleans, LA October 23-24, 2018 - SRDC Annual Board of Directors and Technical & Operational Advisory Committee Meeting, Arlington, VA December 4, 2018 - 76th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Heirs' Properties: Exploring a Southern Region Approach, Tuskegee, AL December 2018 - Article in ARD Updates, "SRDC investigates developing collaborative heirs' property efforts" January 9-11, 2019 - Regional Rural Development Center meeting with federal agencies, Washington, D.C. January 17, 2019 - SRDC input to Mississippi Kids Count Regional Meeting, Jackson, MS January 22-23, 2019 - SRDC Update to the joint meeting of Association of Research Directors and the Association of Extension Administrators, Washington, D.C. March 20, 2019 - SRDC update to the joint meeting of Association of Research Directors and the Association of Extension Administrators at the Land Grant Mini Symposium, Orlando, FL March 28, 2019 - SRDC update to NIFA and APLU Administration and Staff, Washington, D.C. April 29 - May 2, 2019 - SRDC input to Impact Collaborative Partners Summit, Atlanta, GA June 4-5, 2019 - Regional Rural Development Center meeting with federal agencies, Washington, D.C. July 12, 2019 - SRDC meeting with Alcorn State University Cooperative Extension Director, Raymond, MS August 22, 2019 - SRDC Annual Update to the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors, New Orleans, LA August 22, 2019 - SRDC Annual Update to the Association of Extension Administrators, New Orleans, LA Sept. 23, 2019 - Extension Committee on Operations and Policy, update on Coming Together for Racial Understanding initiative, Nashville, TN Quarterly calls with the SRDC Board of Directors (January 30, April 17, July 17) Quarterly calls with the SRDC Technical Operations and Advisory Committee (January 28, April 15, July 15) Monthly calls - National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Board of Directors meeting - Regional Rural Development Center liaison Monthly Around the South Newsletter, electronic distribution to 890 subscribers 15 Listservs representing various stakeholder groups within Cooperative Extension Service, Research, & by topics of significance to the rural South such as broadband, local foods, heirs' property, etc. Annual Report distributed to over 250 stakeholder groups, program leaders, and other various groups Monthly webinars reaching 267 total viewers both nationally and in the southern region What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next year, SRDC will take a number of key steps to continue progress toward the goal. 1. Priority One: Develop Pathways for Vibrant Communities. SRDC has completed (a) facilitate, coordinate, evaluate and refine the Stronger Economy Together (SET) and Leaders in Economic Alliance Development (LEAD) programs, (b) SRDC will continue to support existing work on local food systems through the SERA 47, by helping facilitate calls as well as the annual meeting slated for December 2019. (c) SRDC will refine the Coming Together for Racial Understanding curriculum and conduct a second training in October 2019. SRDC will also lead the research team efforts around this objective. (d) SRDC will support the NDEET team's efforts to catalogue relevant broadband materials on its website, and will continue to provide coaching support for Tech Changemaker pilot sites. 2. Priority Two: Build Strategic Partnerships. SRDC will continue to advance the partnerships noted above while exploring new linkages. In particular, SRDC will seek new partners to support the Coming Together for Racial Understanding effort and explore opportunities to strengthen efforts around the emerging issues noted in Priority Three below. SRDC will continue to provide support and leadership to the Southern Region Program Leadership Network, including web support, communications support, and annual meeting facilitation/support. 3. Priority Three: Mobilize Resources around Emerging Issues. As noted above, plans for capacity building training are underway including facilitation and the CRD monthly webinar series. The AFRI planning grant will aid the SRDC in convening a team around heirs' property in fall 2019 as well as support a research effort to gauge the extent of the issue in the South. Plans are to expand the CREATE BRIDGES initiative in 2019-20 while continuing to guide pilot teams through the process. SRDC will collaborate with land grant partners to gauge interest and capacity to respond, and to initiate and sustain research and Extension programming to build and support these and other emerging issues across the region as appropriate.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Southern Rural Development Center has worked diligently to build capacity around key rural development issues across the South, and in some instances, across the nation, working with Land-Grant University partners through Extension and research. This year's efforts have resulted in 11 training workshops conducted, four multi-state teams formed or supported, four curriculum developed or expanded, $1,351,647 leveraged, and several new partnerships established, all of which advanced important rural development issues such as regional economic development, civil dialogue around race relations, local foods, child poverty, health care, and heirs' property. More specific details are provided below. Under the three overarching goals, SRDC has completed the following: 1. Priority One: Develop Pathways for Vibrant Communities. (a) SRDC facilitated evaluation and refinement of the Stronger Economies Together (SET) and Leaders in Economic Alliance Development (LEAD) to complete the project which ran for seven years in partnership with USDA Rural Development. With over 100 multi-state regions participating, the project guided regions to leveraging over $200 for every dollar invested in the Cooperative Agreement between SRDC and USDA Rural Development. Additionally, LEAD curriculum was adapted to meet the needs of four Community Prosperity Summits, in partnership with the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. Over 500 rural community members participated in the four summits designed to help them better connect to USDA resources. (b) SRDC also continued to facilitate the SERA 47 Local Foods initiative. A special issue of the Community Development Society journal based on the local foods efforts was completed as a result of this funding. (c) Coming Together for Racial Understanding, a curriculum around civil dialogue, was launched in August 2018 with 20 states participating. SRDC has continued to support these teams throughout the year through monthly coaching calls, emails, and webinars. A tandem research team has formed to examine the ways participants feel supported in advancing civil dialogue efforts. (d) SRDC provided leadership to the National Digital Education Extension Team (NDEET), a national team of CES professionals working to build CES capacity to respond to broadband access and usage needs in communities. This team was instrumental in helping develop materials to launch the 4H/Microsoft Tech Changemakers project focusing on building digital literacy skills in communities just gaining access to broadband. Five training events engaged approximately 370 youth and adult participants to advance digital literacy in 80 counties across 13 states. Additionally, SRDC continued its successful webinar series that showcased a different southern-led community development project each month. These sessions were recorded and are available: http://srdc.msstate.edu/trainings/crdwebinars.html 2. Priority Two: Build Strategic Partnerships. Multi-state teams/alliances were formed around a number of key rural issues. Alliances were formed with Georgetown University to explore opportunities to strengthen small businesses in rural places through partnerships with private investors. This resulted in two summits bringing together private investors to small businesses. Everyday Democracy, Kettering Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation joined hands in efforts to strengthen dialogues for racial understanding. Walmart joined SRDC to explore ways to strengthen retail in rural economies through the CREATE BRIDGES initiative being piloted in three states. The Southern Risk Management Center and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Center joined SRDC in exploring issues around heirs' property. SRDC received an AFRI planning grant to assist with this collaboration. Additionally, the SRDC strengthened or expanded partnerships on issues around broadband access to include Microsoft, 4-H Council, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, and USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). The Microsoft/4H partnership resulted in five train-the-trainer events (Tech Changemakers) engaging approximately 370 youth and adult participants across 80 counties in 13 states to advance digital literacy in rural places. The OPPE partnership led to four Community Prosperity Summits in which rural community members engaged with USDA staff to explore opportunities for advancing the USDA Rural and Ag. Prosperity Priorities. Over 500 individuals participated across the nation. Evaluations indicate that participants left the Summits ready to act on new opportunities discovered at the events. Also, the SRDC continues to provide support for the Southern Region Program Leadership Network by coordinating the annual meeting, providing logistic support for all committees throughout the year, and working closely with the Community Resource Development (CRD) committee (and other committees as appropriate) on issues related to rural development. Specific to the work with the CRD committee, the SRDC facilitates gathering and reporting of regional indicators. SRDC also played a key role in the planning and promoting of the National Sustainability Summit held in April 2019 with over 185 in attendance. 3. Priority Three: Mobilize Resources around Emerging Issues. SRDC focused on several emerging issues during this year. To support community capacity building, SRDC has worked with the CRD State Program Leader in the South to identify potential trainings for the region. One identified training is facilitation training. SRDC has identified a team of four that were trained at the Michigan State University's FacilitationLeadership Workshop. These trainers will join the Michigan team to provide the workshop in the South in the fall, 2019. SRDC's webinar series has also continued throughout 2019 as noted above. In support of infrastructure, SRDC is currently surveying the extent of work around rural water and sewer systems done by Extension and research professionals throughout the region, as well as exploring the work that other potential partners are doing. Building upon the work begun in 2017, SRDC, along with its partners, the Southern Extension Risk Management Education (SERME), Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (S-SARE) program, the North Central Extension and Research Activity (NCERA2172), initiated steps to develop a more focused examination of the heirs' property problem. A steering committee has been convened and SRDC received an AFRI seed grant to help advance this work. A survey has also been completed and plans are moving forward for a fall convening across research and Extension. Small business innovation and retail sectors in rural America are being explored through two different venues. Two Rural Opportunity Investment workshops were piloted, bringing small businesses and private investors together to think through opportunities. CREATE BRIDGES is being piloted in six regions in three states to explore ways to strengthen the retail/hospitality/tourism sector that contributes so heavily to rural economies.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Welborn, R. (2019, June 11). Coming Together to Promote Racial Understanding: An Invitation to a Conversation. Keynote presentation at 2019 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Conference, Asheville, NC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Turner, S.C. (2019, June 19). Community Engagement for the 2020 Census. Panelist, Delta Regional Forum: Population Health, Development, and Entrepreneurial Problem Solving. Clarksdale, MS.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Turner, S.C. (2019, July 23). Leadership Development for the Future of Ag and Applied Economics Moderator, 2019 Agricultural and Applied Economics Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Davis, A.F., Dunn, J. B., Lanford, G. L., McCullough, S. W., Shideler, D. W., Siems, S., Welborn, R., editors(2018, November 13). CREATE BRIDGES Project: Celebrating REtail, Accommodations, Tourism, and Entertainment by Building Rural Innovations and Developing Growth Economies. Information sheet. MS State: Southern Rural Development Center.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garner, J.R. (2018). SRDC investigates developing collaborative heirs property efforts. ARD Updates, 9(12), 2. Retrieved from: https://www.umes.edu/uploadedFiles/_WEBSITES/ARD/Content/ARD%20Update%20-%20Dec.%20%202018.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2018). Southern Rural Development Center 2018 Annual Report. MS State: Southern Rural Development Center. http://srdc.msstate.edu/publications/annual/2018_srdc_annual.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2018, October 22). Around the South Newsletter, 14(10). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/14_10_oct18.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2018, November 16). Around the South Newsletter, 14(11). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/14_11_nov18.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2018, December 11). Around the South Newsletter, 14(12). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/14_12_dec18.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K. (2019). Southern Rural Development Center 2018 Brochure. MS State: Southern Rural Development Center.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019). Southern Region Community Development Extension Impacts. MS State: Southern Rural Development Center. http://srdc.msstate.edu/measuring_impact/south- initiatives.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, January 18). Around the South Newsletter, 15(1). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_1_jan19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, February 14). Around the South Newsletter, 15(2). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_2_feb19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, March 14). Around the South Newsletter, 15(3). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_3_mar19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, April 22). Around the South Newsletter, 15(4). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_4_apr19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, May 16). Around the South Newsletter, 15(5). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_5_may19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, June 18). Around the South Newsletter, 15(6). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_6_jun19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, July 15). Around the South Newsletter, 15(7). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_7_jul19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, August 16). Around the South Newsletter, 15(8). http://srdc.msstate.edu/newsletters/ats/15_8_aug19.html
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Spiering, K., editor (2019, September XX). Around the South Newsletter, 15(9).
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Jerome, L., Newman, B., Seals, L., Searcy, J. K., Newman, B., & Spiering, K. (2018). National Sustainability Summit & National Extension Energy Summit. https://www.nationalextensionsummits.com/
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Spiering, K. (2018). National Digital Education Extension Team. http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Barnes, J. N., & Langford, G. L. (2019, June 11). Marketing Cooperative Extension Organizations and Extension Local Foods Educational Programs: A Review of Online Practices Across the South. Presentation at 2019 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Conference, Ashville, NC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Davis, A. F., Dunn, J. B., Langford, G. L., McCullough, S. W., Shideler, D. W., & Siems, S., (2019, June 11). Creating Bridges for the Rural Retail Workforce: Bringing Businesses and Employees Together to Identify Long-term Employment Solutions for Rural Retail. Presentation at 2019 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Conference, Ashville, NC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garner, J.R. (2018, December 4). Heirs Properties: Exploring a Southern Region Approach. Paper presented at 76th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Opelika, AL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Garner, J.R. (2019, June 12). Heirs Properties: Exploring a Southern Region Approach. Paper presented at 2019 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Conference, Asheville, NC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Garner, J.R. & Turner, S.C. (2019, June 12). Further Exploration of Heirs Property and Persistent Poverty: A Path to Statistical Testing. Paper presented at 2019 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Conference, Asheville, NC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Garner, J.R. (2019, July 18). Heirs Property: Exploring a Southern Region Approach. Paper presented at 2019 Delta Regional Forum, Clarksdale, MS.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Welborn, R. & Babine, M. (2019). Community Engagement, Partnership Development and Action Planning, Module in 4-H Tech Changemakers Curriculum. Presentation delivered at National Training, Chevy Chase, MD (January 2019). Presentation delivered at Regional Trainings, Chevy Chase, MD (February 2019), Columbus, OH (March 1-2, 2019), & Chicago, IL (March 15-16, 2019). Athens, GA: University of Georgia. Retrieved from: https://georgia4h.org/programs/focus-areas/agriculture-stem/science-technology-engineering-math/digital-ambassadors/