The Nebraska Model of Rural Development:

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The Nebraska Model of Rural Development
Partnerships and Leveraging Presented by John
C. Allen, Director Center for Applied Rural Innov
ation University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the S
outhern Institute for Rural Development
Sept. 8-10 Fort Meyers, Florida
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(No Transcript)
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In Nebraska
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The Nebraska Model of Rural Development
An Organizational History
1992
Nebraska Rural Initiative
Center for Applied Rural Innovation Created
Creation of the Nebraska Development Network
Creation of the Nebraska Community Foundation
Initial discussions for formation of the
Partnership for Rural Nebraska.
Creation of the Partnership for Rural Nebraska
August 9, 1995
Nebraska Development Network becomes a Partner.
Creation of the Rural Development Commission
the Center for Rural Community Revitalization
Development
Increase business startups or retool those that
hold potential for high-paying jobs that are
compatible with Nebraska's strengths.
Fill emerging vacancies in critical professions.
Encourage communities to identify their
strengths. Increase the awareness of Nebraska's
strengths to attract venture capital and
development,
CARI Mission To help create a rural community an
d agricultural structure that is economically
viable, environmentally sound, socially
acceptable and sustainable into the future. Our
focus is leadership. Sustainable agriculture,
economic and community development through
education and research Department of Environment
al Quality Added 2002
The Network contributes to cooperation and
collaboration among rural development entities.
The Network laid the ground-work for
collaboration among the ultimate Partners.
The Foundation secured initial funding for the
Partner-ship and plays a critical role in
procuring alternative resources to support
collaborative efforts
UNL President Dennis Smith, Nebraska Governor Ben
Nelson, and USDA Representative Art Campbell sign
the Charter Agreement creating the Partnership
for Rural Nebraska.
Amendment of the Partnership for Rural Nebraska
Charter to reflect the addition of the Nebraska
Development Network as a core Partner.
Negotiations surrounding the merits and
feasibility of the Partnership began between the
State of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska,
and the Federal Government.
The Commissions focus is the rationalization of
the governments rural development efforts.
The UNL Board of Regents created the Center as a
design to facilitate the Universitys rural
development efforts.
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Center for Applied Rural Innovation Programs
The Center for Applied Rural Innovation (CARI),
an interdisciplinary research and extension
center, uses a holistic approach to development
that focuses on the economic and social
interdependence of farming, communities and
families CARI is the focal point within the Uni
versity of Nebraska for communities and
individuals to obtain information and program
support needed to enhance their economic and
social well-being. Made up of a team of
professionals, CARI has developed some of the
most community-driven and impact-oriented
programs focusing on rural viability in the world.
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The Nebraska Rural Poll Begun in 1996, Nebraska
Rural Poll findings quickly made their way into
news reports, legislative committee hearings, and
planning by government agencies and
corporations. The Nebraska EDGE (Enhancing,
Developing and Growing Entrepreneurs) is a
community development strategy designed to
enhance the economic vitality of a community
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coNEcting Nebraska This team of extension educa
tors conducts community-based technology training
and assists communities in technology planning
and assessment. Sustainable Agriculture Proj
ects include research on the Integrated Farm at
the Agricultural Research and Development Center
near Mead, Nebraska, education in agroecology and
other integrative themes, and outreach programs
related to land use.
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Nebraska Cooperative Development Center
The Center assists agricultural producers and mu
lti-owner businesses with cooperative development
efforts. Initiative for Small Farm Profitabilit
y Designed to increase small and mid-size farm
profitability, this four state initiative is a
unique and powerful blend of market research,
economic analysis, case studies, and most
importantly, farmer and rancher clusters or
groups. Community Leadership CARI programs s
trive to improve decision making and strategic
planning skills of individuals.
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Collaborations CARI Fellows Rural Policy Res
earch Institute (RUPRI) Partnership for Rural N
ebraska (PRN) The Nebraska Rural Institute
Rural News Bits
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Funding Key Assumptions Rural Development is
multi-disciplinary Research must support outreac
h Funding provided for core activities Program f
unding developed through grants and contracts
Lessons Learned Keep working with partnership
s Non-partisianship is very important Take a sh
ort and long-term view Focus on those areas you h
ave expertise in
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Contact John C. Allen, Director Center for A
pplied Rural Innovation jallen1_at_unl.edu http
//cari.unl.edu