2002 Rural Impact Awards
The Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming State Rural Development Councils (SRDCs) received Rural Impact Awards during the National Rural Development Partnership's 2002 Strategic Planning Meeting on March 4. Each of the winners was recognized for specific work that is significantly improving the quality of life in rural America.
Minnesota Rural Partners
Begun in 1993 as a task force on flood recovery, Minnesota Rural Partners has since evolved into its role as a ready responder to rural challenges by setting timely priorities and offering assistance where the need is most urgent. This approach to rural development makes Minnesota Rural Partners both a source of assistance and a forum for rural voices to be heard. MRP has created a unique alliance with four foundations, 12 corporations, and three levels of government entities to support development of the Minnesota Farmers' Market Hall, an initiative that fits with MRP's plan to help diversify agriculture. Minnesota Rural Partners was awarded this Rural Impact Award for strengthening rural-urban connections by creating an alliance to preserve and expand the farmer's market.
New Hampshire Rural Development Council
Formed in 1994, the New Hampshire Rural Development Council provides leadership in identifying critical rural issues and and facilitates collaborative strategies for delivery of public and private resources to address and resolve these issues. In 2001, the Council worked diligently with several local, state and federal partners to develop plans for the Community Kitchen Program, a model for small-scale, shared-use community kitchen facilities which maximizes use of existing community assets and local leadership. 3 of these kitchens are in development in New Hampshire with over 10 micro-food enterprises participating. The New Hampshire Rural Development Council was awarded this Rural Impact Award for developing and implementing affordable community economic development models and promoting community-based entrepreneurship.
Pennsylvania Rural Development Council
The Pennsylvania Rural Development Council was created in 1992 to serve the needs of the state's rural population, which is the largest in the nation. Responding to the need for health insurance coverage for Pennsylvania children whose families could not otherwise afford it, the Pennsylvania Rural Development Council (PRDC) collaborated with the state departments of Public Welfare, Health and Insurance in 2001 on a mini-grant initiative to support development of outreach efforts to increase access to health care coverage by Pennsylvania's low-income children and families, promote preventative care and good health planning, and lower the incidence of uncompensated care. The Pennsylvania Rural Development Council was presented this Rural Impact Award for its work on the children' s health insurance grant initiative which resulted in 9 grants to 12 rural communities for a total of $358,824.
Wyoming Rural Development Council
Established in 1992, the Wyoming Rural Development Council serves as a catalyst for collaboration among communities and organizations to preserve the rich heritage and unique physical, economic, and social qualities of rural life in Wyoming. Inspired by the difficulties many federal, state and local government agencies, as well as private businesses, were having working with tribal entities in Wyoming, the Council sponsored a workshop that provided these officials and business leaders the knowledge necessary to develop and conduct effective working relationships with Indian Tribes and organizations. The Wyoming Rural Development Council was awarded this Rural Impact Award for its workshops on developing effective working relationships with Indian tribes and organizations.
