Opportunities for Rural Communities

Rural Policy Workshops Held This Week

The Center for Rural Affairs, and the University of Minnesota Morris Center for Small Towns are co-hosting several workshops to discuss public policy developments that will significantly impact rural communities, including the 2012 Farm Bill and the current super committee charged with deficit reduction.

Traci Bruckner with the the Center for Rural Affairs, David Fluegel from the University of Minnesota Morris Center for Small Towns, and Cindy Bigger, Center for Small Towns Advisory Council member and retired Extension Educator will provide participants with an overview of both local and federal policy initiatives that impact farmers, food, land, and small towns.

“We’ll also discuss how to communicate with decision makers, the importance of local, state and federal policy, how to influence local decisions that impact you, and key issues in the upcoming Farm Bill, including the more recent and possible accelerated version the agriculture committee will present to the super committee by November 1st,” said Virginia Wolking, Rural Policy Organizer with the Center for Rural Affairs.

“The Farm Bill is more than just farm subsidies and crop insurance,” Wolking continued. The Farm Bill impacts farmers, ranchers, consumers, small towns and rural mainstreet businesses with investments in conservation, nutrition and school lunches, broadband, housing, small business assistance, rural economic and community development, and much more.

“We are all affected by rural policy,” said Wolking. “Join us to find out how you can make your voice heard and to share your ideas with us and other rural leaders who can help you make things happen in your community.”

What: Rural policy workshops

When and Where:
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Old #1 Main Restaurant Event Room
412 Atlantic Avenue
Morris, MN

Wednesday, October 26, 2011
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Moorhead Public Library
118 5th Street South
Moorhead, MN

-Elisha Smith
Lyons, NE