News and Events

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New research briefs explore facets of rural innovation

August 27, 2020

We have added two new research briefs to our “Innovation Issues” series. One brief describes research on how businesses use of different sources of knowledge and creativity drive their innovation activities. Another focuses on the relationship between innovation and knowledge management—how businesses acquire new knowledge and integrate technologies to help them apply it.

NERCRD partners on resource hub for local food-system response to COVID-19

August 26, 2020

NERCRD is partnering with University of Kentucky and Colorado State University in a one-year Cooperative Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Marketing Service, to research the impacts, adaptations and innovations of COVID-19 on U.S. Local and Regional Food Systems.

USDA-RD releases Recreation Economy Resource Guide

August 7, 2020

USDA-RD recently launched a resource guide to provide rural community leaders and economic development practitioners a complete list of programs at Rural Development, Forest Service, and National Institute for Food and Agriculture that can be used to support recreational economies in rural America.

Recognizing long-time NERCRD Board Member Gary Thompson

August 1, 2020

We bid Gary Thompson, a member of our Board of Directors since 2015, a fond farewell and best wishes as he embarks on a new role as Executive Director of the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (SAAESD). Since April 2011, Gary has served as the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and as Director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station. He also sat on the NERCRD Board of Directors since 2015, and served as Board Chair during his 2018-2019 term. We are grateful for his thoughtful leadership over the years.
Read more about Gary’s Penn State legacy in this Penn State News story.

COVID-19 Publication Opportunity

July 27, 2020

The Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics and the Regional Rural Development Centers are proposing a special issue for Choices to be published in 2021 if our thematic proposal is accepted.

CDC’s rural resources for responding to COVID-19

July 21, 2020

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently launched a webpage dedicated to providing rural communities with information on the COVID-19 pandemic and response. The page offers information for healthcare systems and providers, community organizations, and rural residents and business owners.

Researchers to create a roadmap for fostering successful agritourism enterprises

July 10, 2020

A team of researchers led by a Penn State agricultural economist will receive $500,000 over three years to study agritourism in the United States and to develop research-based information and guidance for farmers looking to diversify their incomes through agritourism activities.

NERCRD is hiring an Associate Director

June 3, 2020

The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development is hiring an Associate Director. This position will be responsible for leading the Center’s outreach oriented activities in consultation with the Director. Review of candidates will begin on June 15, 2020 and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

For small and minority farmers, networks influence the bottom line

June 3, 2020

In a study looking at the social networks of small-scale and minority specialty-crop farmers in Tennessee, Maryland, and Delaware, farmers who played a more prominent role in their network reported greater sales. The findings can help farming groups and agricultural support organizations leverage networks to enhance the farmers’ success.

Presentation to Council of State Governments East looks at COVID-19 impacts on agriculture and rural areas

June 2, 2020

NERCRD Director Stephan Goetz gave a presentation on the pandemic’s effects on agriculture and rural areas on May 22, 2020 to the Council of State Governments (CSG) East. The webinar recording and slides are available on the CSG-East website.

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