The June newsletter will be arriving soon on your respective desktops and doorsteps. It's filled with great articles ranging in topics from Value Added Producer Grants to community revitalization as well as the Center's old time staples of Across the Nation and Corporate Farming Notes.

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Rules Need Changing If Stimulus Money to Find Rural America
Will federal stimulus funds reach small communities and help revitalize the rural economy? It depends on whether the money is accessible to typical small towns that can’t afford a staff of grant writers. USDA has many dedicated and helpful staff in state offices. But that’s not always enough for communities that rely on the efforts of volunteers. The Center for Rural Affairs has offered USDA two suggestions to ease the burden. Continue reading.

Passion for Energy Gets Business Moving
It started at the energy farm in Lyons, Nebraska, and visiting with people about wind and solar energy. Ed Toribio, owner of Home Energy Alternatives, decided to start his own green business offering sales and installation services for solar electric systems and small-scale wind turbines. Ed put it this way, “I saw a business opportunity in renewable energy for which I already had a great passion and increasing interest.”. Continue reading.

Community Revitalization:
Positive, Personal Contact Paramount in Recruiting and Retaining New Residents
I had an interesting conversation about two years back that I’ve not forgotten. After giving a presentation, I was approached by a shop owner from a town of about 1,100 bemoaning the fact that he was not having any success drawing new people into his main street store. He assured me that his products were unique and affordable. I told him I knew that – his store had some great items. He responded, “You’ve been in my store? Must have been when I was not there!” I said, “Actually, I’ve been in your store twice. You were there both times, and both times I was your only customer. You barely looked up when I came in.” Continue reading.

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Stand up for rural health care reform: Tell Congress and the administration to reform health care and address the 10 key points for rural America. Add your name today.

Development Matters
Get Involved
That has been my life motto. Whether with my church and school or running for public office, involvement is second nature to me. Many rural Americans share that perspective. We help others and do volunteer work all the time. It’s rewarding to assist and lend a helping hand.

These days most of us can’t do everything we want to do. But that doesn’t have to stop you from lending a hand. Helping to pay the bills and providing a future for great work can keep you involved.

The Center for Rural Affairs is going to keep fighting for rural America. You can be part of that work with your financial support.

I am excited to join the Center in an effort to help people get involved. If you are interested in the work we do, if you want to be a part of it – let me help you make that happen.

Contact: Matt Connealy, our new major gift development director at 402.687.2103 x 1009 or mattc@cfra.org— and welcome, Matt!.