Overview

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More than half of the U.S. rural workforce lacks the information technology skills needed to perform 21st century jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. CSREES funds research into how best to assist citizens in rural and underserved communities in acquiring computer and telecommunications knowledge and skills. These skills, disseminated through 4-H Youth Technology Teams and Cooperative Extension-sponsored workshops, will help rural residents realize a more profitable farm and business income, promote environmental stewardship, and support quality of life for farm families and communities.

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In Focus

• Georgia 4-H members initiate several projects to prepare community members for emergencies.
• CSREES supports Community Readiness Networks (CRNs) to improve critical community communications, both during emergencies and non-emergencies.
• CSREES helps promote the 2007 U.S. 4-H software grants program for community mapping projects using GIS/GPS technologies.
• The CSREES Youth Technology Leadership Team Program improves community communications through its Teens Teach Tech skills activity.
• 4-H Tech Teams and local partners apply GPS/GIS technology to identify three Tennessee community's environmental assets to conserve them for future generations
• CSREES' Rural Electronic Commerce Extension Program teaches farmers and owners of small rural firms how to buy and sell products online.

Partnerships

• A coalition of federal and industry partners, including CSREES, helps communities map their assets and needs by adopting GIS and GPS technology.
• CSREES helps lead and fund the CyberSeniors CyberTeens Program, in which tech-savvy teens help seniors in their communities learn basic computer skills.
• CSREES funds and provides leadership to GIS/GPS Integration Teams, which launch local mapping projects to help local decisionmakers understand community issues.

Events

• Competitive Grants Grantsmanship Workshops, Washington, DC/Salt Lake City, UT, September/October, 2008.
• Galaxy III Conference: "Celebrating the Extension System: Strengths, Diversity, and Unique Qualities," Indianapolis, IN, September 15-19, 2008.
• 43rd Annual National Community Education Association Conference, Dallas, Texas, November 5 - 8, 2008.

Selected Results and Impacts

• A CSREES-funded project introduces global positioning technology to Native American students.
• CSREES funds and a private sector grant have helped three Tennessee counties launch a community mapping program with GPS/GIS technology.
• CSREES-funded Community Readiness Network Web sites, in states like Idaho, report community news and promote resources in small towns and rural areas.


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Resources

• 4-H Goes Geo-Spatial. This CSREES initiative teaches 4-H Youth how to map community projects with GIS and GPS.
• Southern Rural Development Center, Mississippi State University. Information technology resources to revitalize rural areas, the National E-TEAM, and much more.
• Farmer Direct Marketing, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA. Direct marketing resources and farmers markets by state, AMS marketing staff, and more.


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Contacts

Tom Tate

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