2004 Rural Impact Awards
The
State Rural Development Councils (SRDCs) of Maryland, New Mexico,
North Dakota, and Vermont received Rural Impact Awards during the National Rural
Development Partnership's 2004 Annual Conference on
August 30. Every success story submitted to the Office of Community Development
was nominated for these awards, except for those from states who have won the
award during the previous two years. This year’s winners exemplify the
innovative, collaborative, and meaningful efforts of our State Rural Development
Councils, and their mission to significantly improve the quality of life in the rural
United States..
Rural Maryland CouncilCrafting and Facilitating Passage of Legislation to Create a Economic Development Entity for Agriculture and Resource Based IndustriesThe Rural Maryland Council recognized a need in their state for a coordinating
and development entity that focused exclusively upon providing developmental
assistance to agricultural and resource based industry. To that end, the council
worked with dozens of partners ranging from industry associations to local
governments to develop a plan to deal with this need. Their collaborative
product was the introduction of legislation to establish the Maryland
Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO).
MARBIDCO is designed to enhance the growth of the agricultural and resource
based industries crucial to the economies of rural Maryland. Passing this
legislation was a sizeable task---and the Rural Maryland Council played a
critical role by facilitating collaboration among a wide range of stakeholder
involved in agricultural and resource-based industries. Because of the hard work
of the RMC, the legislation was passed and as a result a new force will help to
develop agricultural industries and markets and remove barriers to economic
growth in these arenas for the citizens of Rural Maryland. The award selection
committee stated that “such an impressive, ambitious, and successful approach to
a solving a difficult problem is more than worthy of recognition through a Rural
Impact Award.”
New Mexico Rural
Development Response Council
The Voices of Rural New Mexico
While economic and jobs data for rural communities does establish a sketch
for many communities, it does not take into account the knowledge and
perceptions of the people in the rural towns. The New Mexico Rural Development
Response Council understood that numbers do not paint the entire portrait of a
rural community. Citizens can often provide invaluable information about the
strengths and weaknesses of a town. The New Mexico Rural Development Council
utilized a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis of over 46
rural communities throughout the state to build an economic data framework.
Then, to paint the picture of the rural areas of their state they utilized four
independent researchers to interview over 250 individuals throughout these
communities to gain a holistic perspective of rural towns opportunities and
threats. Using this information they developed a tool to be published that would
serve as a guide called the “Voices of Rural New Mexico”. Since the publication
of this guide, they have actively followed up on the opportunities and issues
presented. In recognizing the unique perspectives of their citizens, the New
Mexico Rural Development Council identified our nation’s greatest asset in
building a stronger rural United States---the rural citizen. For this innovative
and perceptive work New Mexico is more than deserving of an Rural Impact Award.
North Dakota Rural Development Council
Partnering with North Dakota Tribes to Improve Rural America
Locally-designed Homeland Security-Emergency Management Tabletop Exercise
Events were held on all four North Dakota Indian Reservations—each drawing many
participants. In 1997, the North Dakota Rural Development Council (NDRDC)
entered into a unique partnership agreement with the North Dakota Division of
emergency management to provide outreach and training for the North Dakota
Tribes. Today, all four ND tribes have established Tribal Emergency Managers and
are working to complete Local EM/HS plans. The NDRDC works closely with these
individuals to coordinate and provide training opportunities. To date over 100
tribal members and neighbors have earned CERT/Homeland Security, First
Responders Certification. Working with a wide array of partners the North Dakota
Rural Development Council has helped prepare their state to do their part in
defending the homeland. This Rural Impact Award acknowledges the North Dakota
Rural Development Council, for their vital role in improving our Nation’s
preparedness through their partnership with the North Dakota Tribes, with this
Rural Impact Award.
Vermont
Council on Rural Development
Advancing Agricultural Policy in Vermont
Maintaining the viability of farms in rural areas is an issue that challenges
people in many states. To take this issue on in their state, the Vermont Council
on Rural Development completed, over the course of one year, a report for the
Vermont Agricultural Viability Council. The VCRD presented the final report to
the Governor, Congressional Delegation, the Vermont Legislature, and to
agricultural producers state wide. In compiling this report the VCRD relied upon
leading agricultural experts, farm reps, legislators, and many others to produce
meaningful recommendations and information. Using a private sector and
foundation funding partnership to support the $45,000 cost of the initiative,
they were able to contract private research firms to analyze all existing data
from farm programs across the state. The legislature and governor have already
enacted fifty percent of the recommendations in the final report including a new
“buy local” advertising campaign and a new Vermont Farm Viability Program. To
top it off, taxes on farm operations have been alleviated. The rural citizens of
Vermont can be proud not only of this Rural Impact Award, but also of the
wonderful accomplishments of the VCRD.
