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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">As always, not all of this may pertain to you and your program, but you may know someone that would be interested in it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">FUNDING<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/strategic-economic-and-community-development"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Strategic Economic and Community Development</span></b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The U.S. Department of Agriculture is excited to share a new Rural Development funding opportunity authorized by Section 6025 of the 2014 Farm Bill. This new authority entitled
<b><i>Strategic Economic and Community Development</i> (SECD)</b> prioritizes projects that support the implementation of multi-jurisdictional plans under the
<a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program" target="_blank">
<span style="color:windowtext">Community Facilities Program</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-loan-grant-program" target="_blank">
<span style="color:windowtext">Water and Waste Disposal Program</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-industry-loan-guarantees" target="_blank">
<span style="color:windowtext">Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program</span></a>, and
<a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-business-development-grants" target="_blank">
<span style="color:windowtext">Rural Business Development Grant Program</span></a>. Under this provision, up to 10 percent of each programs annual appropriations can be set aside and made available to eligible SECD applicants. Many communities already working
together to develop multi-jurisdictional plans with the help of strategic partners including non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, university extensions, regional authorities, coalitions of counties/towns and federal agencies. The goal
of SECD is to promote collaboration in rural communities and across Rural Development agencies and programs. Communities are incentivized to align resources, develop long-term community and economic growth strategies and engage federal, state and local partners.
By promoting this regional focus USDA resources can be more effectively utilized and have a larger impact on rural capacity building and wealth creation.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://innovation.ed.gov/what-we-do/arts/arts-in-education-professional-development-for-arts-educators/"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Assistance for Arts Education Programs-Professional
Development for Arts Educators Grants</span></b></a><b> <span style="color:#1F497D">
A</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">$7.1 million to support the implementation of high-quality professional development programs for arts educators and other instructional staff of schools in which 50% or more of
students are from low-income families. Eligible: districts, in partnership with public and private entities.
<b>Deadline: May 30.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://rurallisc.cmail19.com/t/r-l-ykudykhd-hikdlkyuih-m/"><b><span style="color:windowtext">The Brookdale Foundation Group</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The Brookdale Foundation Group has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the creation or expansion of supportive services to grandparents and other relatives raising children.
Up to 15 programs will be selected to receive a seed grant of $15,000 ($10,000 and $5,000 respectively), contingent upon progress made during year one and potential for continuity in the future.
<b>Deadline: 6/5/2017</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">4.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://foundationcenter.hosted.strongview.com/t/gcH1AAdbbF1rQALMpYyD7aZUlFGZ5aaaaZUlBMPURMraa?q=4_z9z8y~amp;g=Zkolpwlseho.sorZwlu~2513tgZ.xpgX.jly~amp;i=q~amp;u=~amp;u=mqaucsz3yAx7z4" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Turnaround
Management Association Invites Nominations for 2017 Excellence in Teaching Awards</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The annual $5,000 prize honors teachers who have demonstrated an ability to change students' lives and the communities where they teach....<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">POSTED:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> April 21, 2017<br>
<b>DEADLINE:</b> June 12, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">5.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://foundationcenter.hosted.strongview.com/t/gcH1AAdbbF1rQALMpYyD7aZUlFGZ5aaaaZUlBMPURMraa?q=4_z9z8y~amp;g=Zkolpwlseho.sorZwlu~2513tgZ.xpgX.jly~amp;i=r~amp;u=~amp;u=mqaucsz3yAx7z4" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Fuel
Up to Play 60 Invites Applications for K-12 Healthy Food Programs</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Grants of up to $4,000 per year will be awarded to qualified K-12 schools to jumpstart healthy changes....<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">POSTED:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> April 15, 2017<br>
<b>DEADLINE:</b> June 14, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">6.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=293845"><b><span style="color:windowtext">SBA – Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act (PRIME)</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">PRIME provides grant funding to nonprofit, microenterprise development organizations for the purpose of (i) providing training and technical assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs;
(ii) providing training and capacity building assistance to microenterprise development organizations (MDOs) and programs; and (iii) aiding in Research and development of best practices for microenterprise and technical assistance programs for disadvantaged
entrepreneurs. Bonus points are awarded to organizations proposing to strengthen the capacity of cooperatives serving economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and areas; and/or to support entrepreneurship among ex-offenders in the criminal justice system.
<b>Applications close on June 16, 2017.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">7.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/2403?utm_source=racupdate&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=update051717" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Rural Health and Safety
Education Competitive Grants Program</span></b></a> <br>
Provides funding to community-based, outreach education and extension programs at land-grant colleges and universities that provide individuals and families based in rural areas with information on health, wellness, and prevention, including information regarding
the issue of substance abuse in rural communities.<br>
<b>Geographic Coverage:</b> Nationwide <br>
<b>Application Deadline:</b> Jun 30, 2017 <br>
<b>Sponsors:</b> U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">8.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grants</span></b></a><b>
<br>
</b>Provides grants to improve telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas through the use of telemedicine, computer networks, and related advanced technologies.<br>
<b>Geographic Coverage:</b> Nationwide <br>
<b>Application Deadline:</b> Jul 17, 2017 <br>
<b>Sponsors:</b> U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development, USDA Rural Utilities Service
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">9.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/05/22/2017-10324/inviting-applications-for-the-delta-health-care-services-grant-program"><span style="color:windowtext">Delta Health
Care Services Grant Program</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2017 applications for the Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) grant program. The purpose of this program
is to provide financial assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions, and economic development entities in the Delta
Region. You must submit completed applications for grants according to the following deadlines:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">Ø<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than
<b>Monday, July 24, 2017.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo2">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">Ø<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Electronic copies must be received by
<b>Monday, July 17, 2017.</b> Late applications are not eligible for funding under this Notice and will not be evaluated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">10.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-business-development-grants" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Rural Business Development Grants</span></b></a>
<br>
Supports targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues.<br>
<b>Geographic Coverage:</b> Nationwide <br>
<b>Applications accepted on an ongoing basis</b> <br>
<b>Sponsors:</b> U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">11.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://www.sba.gov/loans-grants/see-what-sba-offers/sba-loan-programs/general-small-business-loans-7a" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:windowtext">SBA Loans</span></b></a>
<br>
Provides loans to small businesses (including small healthcare practices) for working capital; equipment purchase; real estate purchase; building construction or renovation; business acquisition; and debt refinancing.<br>
<b>Geographic coverage:</b> Nationwide <br>
<b>Applications accepted on an ongoing basis <br>
Sponsor:</b> Small Business Administration<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto">
<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">12.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt">More <b><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DpaQWPWfTePB_LlNI3nRwnl_as2nmCM6uVtMbwZdtKwMAugOaYnevZTgrZa4vUK_NUnpt3j3q99Z2IoyWeHv6fZCbZGjUtaDwUNr5fxC_tBjz71FP3HJ4GESY92HgxaGq24QsVw-r4w2RWGU-6RmZGTXL9TuPRHblDpfmMZpmrtKSHsFl6jOwcw9yPwyoyKNgPj9GYiC1gXVfEp3NNZV5b7QfOIH7rrLywuJT0rEjbo=&c=YZdRNEdoXxoG48eBNJQnu-QzcvL4uVlwE-C90sr7j-H6WFdVXulFbg==&ch=cPF1mha1FRP7od-UI2V8LLHjPBMNMcTDtPVhcY2zjcz6uO3iTBShKA=="><span style="color:windowtext">Grants
& Funding</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">PUBLICATIONS<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/community-health/substance-abuse?utm_source=racupdate&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=update051717" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Rural Prevention
and Treatment of Substance Abuse Toolkit</span></b></a><br>
This new toolkit, developed by the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, provides information, strategies, and resources to help rural communities implement substance abuse prevention and treatment programs. Browse program models and examples, and learn
how to implement, evaluate, and sustain a program in your community and disseminate program results.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tkrSRnK25mdynFXeVznpWJbS-JYDK3R98OyncwLWSSPBKwYu-DGaDewUc2PtIakt8_N_eXhc7jAH2WEmD0qc5GrFBSlEqVY4B3ss1ceE-eKKIty1_qCwbv7C6V1w2ybtLXPa9D1RJZaSiptOQIlMQPdYqhK50J5M7tfslFM5extToq5thIAJQnFNa1J5R88IYCace8BmGun9un0ttWaapNyiyTu5nhpsWI-aC4WGG3z0MGU_tzwD3S9zfTV1RtqSQwLm_vj_ZT9uXnuvc0Vwiw==&c=Xe26Db9714Z9GEGfO3LJCHdrhbUmTLYpQ2gdiV3y70rkITqYjxc1Jw==&ch=-N2ATIjk6139837O8iorsumgKWaImdnhu5t9rXnybDEr6k3z-BK4Aw=="><b><span style="color:windowtext">Survival
rates of manufacturing plants vary by county type and ownership structure</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Between the 2001 and 2007-09 recessions, U.S. manufacturing employment fell by close to 30 percent. In many communities, the closing of a manufacturing plant can reduce local employment,
earnings, and government tax revenue. To improve understanding of the factors affecting the survival of manufacturing plants, ERS studied plant survival over a 15-year period (1996 to 2011). Over this period, the average survival rate—the share of plants that
were still employers—in rural (nonmetro) counties was 57 percent. By comparison, plants in urban (metro) counties had an average survival rate of 53 percent during this period. Survival rates also varied by ownership structure: Overall, independent plants
(single-unit plants with only one physical location) had a 59-percent survival rate, while multi-unit plants had a 50-percent survival rate. Independent plants located in rural counties had the highest average survival rate (62 percent). Although States and
regions have long tended to put more effort into recruiting and retaining multi-unit plants, the research shows that independent plants are more likely to survive—in both rural and urban counties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://news.stanford.edu/2017/04/18/no-money-upgrade-water-infrastructure-try/"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Households shopping at supermarkets, supercenters, and warehouse club stores
have highest healthy basket scores</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Over the past two decades, some store formats—including supercenters, dollar stores, and warehouse club stores—have increased their share of Americans’ spending on “at-home food”—food
and beverages purchased from retail stores. Shifts between store formats could have implications for shopping patterns. A recent ERS study computed “healthy basket” scores for monthly at-home food and beverage purchases. The higher the score, the closer a
household’s purchases aligned with healthy-diet expenditure shares. Baskets were categorized by the format accounting for the household’s largest share of food expenditures. Scores were highest for households predominantly shopping at warehouse club stores
(8.3), supermarkets (8.2), and supercenters (8.0). Household food baskets dominated by purchases from drug stores, convenience stores, and dollar stores had the least healthful purchases. Over 2008-12, an average of 67 percent of households in the data predominantly
shopped at supermarkets, 17 percent at supercenters, and 6 percent at warehouse club stores. The other 10 percent shopped predominately at drug, dollar, convenience, and other store formats.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="mso-list:Ignore">4.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ODc0344sebOsVSiM8j1z1Ma3cm2oi59CM9M0bQhYxydoQkUGfs1IbUrXLYDKDDZpsDaEz_R58dvzPHMpAwNHQOgZc1xSMc2Nb-fhZUs4rRsPN3vZHEj9-7Hgv9uaqtHOUkEKq-EpN0m0uiDL3JSgqv_VPJjV-fOWTrMJSPJT9b-Js85_1U-AnZKKEWTuQmq_x-9Hk2ZB9Y0i2wMqVcxr_sQ-m5-UjLg9qv2P0GaBfXLV1uP6PCtFmefyrRPtadqJOb7ad1ImmTVn1LO3wFT-A==&c=YHuUEN5bR_mlUzJWSBotlQbiCZhJAit5UIQoL4JyN21JLThlSutkbQ==&ch=5U50CG-Aov0vxYSOgB9UoSMoTcEIIxlhpLd9KaYqZZ7BLF3Fv9LhqA=="><b><span style="color:windowtext">Western
irrigation has become more efficient over time</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Efficient irrigation systems can help maintain farm profitability in an era of increasingly limited and more costly water supplies. More efficient gravity irrigation uses the force
of gravity and field borders or furrows to distribute water across a field. It may also use laser-leveling to improve flood irrigation. More efficient pressure-sprinkler irrigation delivers water under lower pressure sprinklers and systems using drip/trickle
tubes and micro-spray nozzles. The efficiency of irrigation systems is particularly important in the Western States—such as Nebraska, California, and Texas—where water demand for agriculture is greatest and diminishing water supplies are expected to affect
future water availability. Data from USDA’s Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey (FRIS) show that irrigated agriculture in the West has become more efficient over time. More efficient irrigation systems (both gravity and pressure-sprinkler) were used on about
36 percent of total irrigated acres in the West in 1994, but increased to nearly half by 2013. More efficient pressure-sprinkler irrigation alone accounted for about 15 percent in 1994, but more than 37 percent in 2013. The share of acres using more efficient
gravity systems peaked in the late 1990s, but then declined as farmers increasingly turned to the even more efficient pressure-sprinkler systems.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="mso-list:Ignore">5.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qW4Un5Jc-vt4tbYSXTfltfOAuqeCPeK9GVD4IARfeqJFmfDa-LEMA7FH4xdWGNUMzav8OIv9X6rqV0vaxuHlAgVHQyRz-K-Vlfo4IPhY53QV9LewdCswxPrjQg-g6S0WCQ9SJZtvdrBe1A0_fHFoqPB5HhJ5-hVJ-dsLp0Sme3sk08H4Fv-GbsR56w2ecg8lCiSIlRSGFyP3evvFS4KtkUaKMPpewieZak651qhBi719y6mzJJS970p3o5wlqAeI38uqSSELZJxmTJ8TXGLsWw==&c=m5zR8DN7Ckb58o5AJ6YQsmD_3EzkzA0BOFTXhh6Tp2EOiak2aGm8JA==&ch=e5N5UNLsvRB-AkZMsMpDoiBYmlxYy1RGVBoKw9XUq87MiDtHrtk0gg=="><b><span style="color:windowtext">Rural
school districts less likely to serve local food frequently in school meals</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">According to USDA’s 2013 Farm to School Census, 35 percent of all U.S. school districts reported serving local food in school meals during the 2011-12 school year. Twenty-two percent
of all school districts served at least one locally-sourced food item daily or more than weekly, and 19 percent of school districts—containing 30 percent of U.S. school children—served local food daily. ERS researchers analyzed data from the Farm to School
Census to identify which types of school districts were more likely versus less likely to serve local foods frequently in school meals. Rural school districts were 11.2 percentage points less likely to serve local food daily than school districts in cities,
after accounting for other school district characteristics, such as region, enrollment level, per capita income of the surrounding county’s residents, and county-level density of farmers’ markets. School districts in suburbs and towns were also significantly
less likely to serve local food daily compared to districts in cities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="mso-list:Ignore">6.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zNa8FoQupfHF4NMJZqzL1Rup9cZEhu48B_6fEarNv15PyZQp42JuicBkdzKCRxerohktpANpOxCOpVTwTFA5YW3wJCRnDBJz6wQu_WoVFgV2vKw5B2HJLdxgdg4XLeo-Zrcsfyu3hSpj7WL0wxazL3ge1dJwUbGbBftUM-yE9NJs0kbz6WJUlAbKKDRg7lc8qDiSWiRX21sTiwbHePgHHoJ786qKX3lp0kS0S_3mZ2sYiXzD8pNKJ9tQf3ud7T3JKQitDM8wt3vW7bE-Dyp0jA==&c=B0sbtqjl0RZp9bZPTGVTvoxpGam4wud3b1SbcPDUUUMZjxOlfatCrQ==&ch=77QLlz5uEHjvqb-z2IYz1CbYzPApGGOAbIqGRIsEmtxMRHA9NbnNag=="><b><span style="color:windowtext">Poorest
U.S. households spent 33 percent of their incomes on food in 2015</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">While households spend more money on food as their incomes rise, food expenditures represent a smaller portion of income as households allocate additional funds to other goods.
In 2015, U.S. households in the highest income quintile spent an average of $12,350 on food—both from grocery stores and eating out. This spending accounted for 8.7 percent of their incomes. Middle income households spent an average of $5,799 on food, or 12.4
percent of their incomes. Households in the lowest income quintile spent less for food on average—$3,767 in 2015—but their food expenditures accounted for 33 percent of their incomes. Two years earlier, the lowest income quintile spent 36.2 percent of their
incomes on food. The share of income spent on food depends on several factors, including food prices and incomes. While retail food price inflation was relatively low in 2013, income levels were also lower than in 2015, contributing to the higher percent of
income spent on food in 2013 by the lowest income households. Food expenditures as a share of income could fall in 2016 and 2017 across income levels due to declining retail food prices in 2016 and a continued trend downwards in prices for some foods in 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="mso-list:Ignore">7.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://ssti.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3b83ca94cd43c0588e1cc5785&id=64b43ede99&e=27430520b6"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Personal income grows, state ranks largely unchanged</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">According to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis state personal income data, national per capita income grew 4.0 percent from 2015 to 2016, and growth since 2012 is
at 12.0 percent. States are experiencing this growth disparately, however, with five-year growth rates ranging from -0.6 percent (North Dakota) to 17.6 percent (California). Over this period, few states experienced significant changes in their performance
relative to their peers — just four states moved more than five rankings — but shifts between income quintiles and variable growth rates suggest that more movement will be witnessed over the next few years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="mso-list:Ignore">8.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Xipiie1VRNm1OEDG5KXr9OA553HCffKT"><b><span style="color:windowtext">Majority of Native Americans Live in Rural Areas and Small Towns, Not in Urban
Areas as Commonly Reported, According to New “Twice Invisible” Report</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">First Nations Development Institute (<a href="http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=W8VFCZgl8Xduz3YNoAobw8u%2B2pZEzIT8"><b><span style="color:windowtext">First Nations</span></b></a><b>)</b>
today published a report that clears up a longstanding “urban legend” that has had a negative impact on Native communities. The report –
<a href="http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Xipiie1VRNm1OEDG5KXr9OA553HCffKT">
<b><i><span style="color:windowtext">Twice Invisible: Understanding Rural Native America</span></i></b></a> – challenges the commonly held belief that the majority of American Indians and Alaska Natives live in cities and urban areas. The
<i>Twice Invisible</i> report looks closely at Census data and uses a definition of “rural” areas developed by the Housing Assistance Council that is calculated with a formula that takes into account population and housing density. Using this definition, First
Nations’ researchers found that 54% of American Indian and Alaska Native people, or a majority, live in rural and small-town areas on or near reservations, contrary to common myths. The report was authored by Dewees and Benjamin Marks, First Nations’ Senior
Research Officer, and was made possible by support from the <a href="http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nGmBRUX8UuCQjFlNEUKrlMu%2B2pZEzIT8">
<b><span style="color:windowtext">W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s</span></b></a> Catalyzing Community Giving initiative. The full report can be downloaded from the Knowledge Center on the First Nations website
<a href="http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Fi5gynUu%2FfeMw06mMGZzL74%2Fg3DeXtVZ">
<b><span style="color:windowtext">here</span></b></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3">
<![if !supportLists]><b><span style="mso-list:Ignore">9.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></b><![endif]><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001jq1XRDx7umDHJL5BG2qfe-zipIUi_yTKBo7D8Po0Uu2Z6BFnd9YE24GIw4r4nl4kax7LJG18Hnycr9LewXkV2SQU1hHgQGXfkv7Zl0HbNWZ3WvtF9pTRWD8qpP0a4U9NTtjB9Zd8tYmc9RNzN0TzxlEZIyw_UH2eggcCAGFPBhASDJ6asIvLUO6QC96Wn3ObgNm0jLLexQj6mgiC2qpqV-YAH1sYIxEB1hbnghUwEN0YuLzCOBO_oUZHZ0Oz3JjvabJGzSOwyYqCJT5kcXa9Lw==&c=VBFxKWDJwYa433ErIHMOeMxWUcyb4w5ZBi6VDO54yPikx-zz9fonAA==&ch=M3gSIIvQ2kIr1cmsOW33cKIpJ-DOvx2SAvcETy5NvGy8M3BpgxK0lA=="><b><span style="color:windowtext">SNAP
participation more closely linked to poverty than unemployment rate</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the Nation’s largest food assistance program. In an average month in fiscal 2016, 44.2 million people—about 14 percent
of the Nation’s population—participated in the program. Unlike other food and nutrition assistance programs that target specific groups, SNAP is available to most needy households with limited income and assets, subject to certain work and immigration status
requirements. As a means-tested program, the number of people eligible for SNAP is inherently linked to the health of the economy. The share of the population receiving SNAP benefits generally tracks the poverty rate and, to lesser degrees, the unemployment
rate and the poverty rate for children under age 18. Improvement in economic conditions during the early stage of recovery may take longer to be felt by lower educated, lower wage workers who are more likely to receive SNAP benefits, resulting in a lagged
response of SNAP participation to a reduction in the unemployment rate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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