NERCRD agritourism research brief featured in Mainebiz story

A feature story written by Renee Cordes and published in MaineBiz includes research on agritourism that was published by NERCRD. The story, which also features a quote by one of the research authors, Jason Entsminger (University of Maine), provides insights into the latest data on Maine agritourism farms, and interviews the managers of several different Maine-based agricultural operations that have incorporated agritourism activities into their business models.

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.

Input sought on regional collaboration and networking opportunities

June 1, 2020

NERCRD is considering establishing Regional Research and Practice Affinity Groups as a way for Northeast-based practitioners and scholars to connect on core programming and research topics across institutions in the region. Especially in this time of diverse pandemic response efforts, we want to gauge NE stakeholder interest in additional collaboration and networking opportunities. Please take a few minutes to share your opinion in this short poll. We look forward to hearing from you!

Learn more about the Small Business Innovation Research program through virtual trainings

May 28, 2020

The USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Office is pleased to offer an online training opportunity for those who would like to learn more about the SBIR program, which provides roughly $27,000,000 annually to small businesses to address problems facing rural America.

NERCRD COVID-19 Issues Briefs explore pandemic in multiple contexts

May 28, 2020

The NERCRD has produced a series of issues briefs in response to the COVID-19 crisis, designed to provide information quickly or stimulate discussion. The briefs released so far explore the virus in the context of direct farm sales, the fruit and vegetable industry, consumer spending and sourcing, network science, and regional science. More briefs are planned, and will be shared as they are published.

Tourism webinar series continues with a look at aquaculture tours

May 28, 2020

The National Extension Tourism Design Team in collaboration with Sea Grant launched a webinar series earlier this year to provide programmatic examples from both the Sea Grant and Land Grant networks. Recordings of recent webinars are available. The next webinar, scheduled for June 18, will be presented by Azure Cygler, Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Seafood Extension Specialist with Rhode Island Sea Grant, who will discuss aquaculture tours as a means to connect citizens directly with growers, help to work through tough use conflicts, and educate about the ecological value of aquaculture.

Call for case studies: Innovative and Promising Practices in Sustainable Tourism, Volume 2

May 28, 2020

Case studies are a valuable way to synthesize and share lessons learned to create new knowledge and enhanced applications in practice. The National Extension Tourism (NET) Design Team and the World Leisure Centre of Excellence in Sustainability and Innovation is inviting submissions of case studies that highlight innovative and promising practices in sustainable tourism. Expressions of interest are due by June 30, 2020.