In the Fieldtag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-12206202008-04-07T12:11:18-05:00Amy Stratton's blog. From the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Rural Communities Program.TypePad44.963365-93.261798We're growing at Rural Communitiestag:typepad.com,2003:post-477770642008-04-07T12:11:18-05:002008-04-07T12:11:18-05:00Not only is it spring and time for crops to grow, but the Rural Communities Program at IATP is also growing. Welcome Garat and Christopher! Garat Ibrahim, Rural Somali Organizer, will build connections among rural Somali communities in the upper...Amy StrattonTaking Leave...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-425134622007-12-13T10:17:44-06:002007-12-13T10:17:44-06:00I am taking a short leave from my work at IATP. During this time, I have invited the staff at our Rural Communities program to provide guest contributions if they desire. We'll connect again in a few months. May your...Amy StrattonHometown successtag:typepad.com,2003:post-424658242007-12-05T13:55:10-06:002007-12-05T13:55:10-06:00I was talking with a friend from my rural hometown the other day. We conversed about who was still there and what they were doing in our small town. Most of our friends have moved away, including the both of...Amy StrattonWhat's "natural" to you? Voice your comments to USDA.tag:typepad.com,2003:post-421384782007-11-30T09:12:42-06:002007-11-30T09:12:42-06:00The USDA Agricultural Marketing Services is taking comments on the voluntary label "naturally raised." You can find more information on the USDA AMS News Release or at the Federal Register. Comments must be submitted to USDA by January 28th for...Amy StrattonReducing greenhouse gas emissionstag:typepad.com,2003:post-421365062007-11-28T13:57:15-06:002007-11-28T13:57:15-06:00Yesterday at E3, an energy conference hosted by the University of Minnesota, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Xcel Energy President Dick Kelly, Eileen Claussen and numerous other renewable energy experts and civic leaders, I heard similar messages about the need to reduce...Amy StrattonMore news from the Summit, youth seek rural lifetag:typepad.com,2003:post-409691502007-11-01T09:55:06-05:002007-11-01T09:55:06-05:00Rural youth in attendance at the Rural Youth Summit and 2007 National Summit on Agriculture and Rural Life talk about their desires to live and work in rural communities in a Brownfield Network audio piece. Many are looking for a...Amy StrattonPresidential Candidates Address Rural Youth Summittag:typepad.com,2003:post-405293982007-10-30T16:53:08-05:002007-10-30T16:53:08-05:00Presidential Candidates Clinton, Obama, Edwards and Cox addressed Rural Youth Summit and 2007 National Summit on Agriculture and Rural Life participants on Saturday. They were asked to address rural issues and how they, as President, will strengthen rural communities. This...Amy StrattonWhat are you doing October 2nd?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-396514442007-10-02T09:59:16-05:002007-10-02T09:59:16-05:00What are you doing October 2nd? That's the question individuals, farmers and groups who organized a mass candlelight vigil to support Indian farmers are asking you. Farmers in India feed a large population, yet often cannot provide meals to their...Amy StrattonRural Opportunities - just open your computer and connecttag:typepad.com,2003:post-391078812007-09-21T10:43:11-05:002007-09-21T10:43:11-05:00These days more and more people are turning to the Internet for work, social activities and starting new businesses. The Internet levels the playing field so to speak. People living on a western short grass prairie near a town of...Amy StrattonLocal politics for bigger changetag:typepad.com,2003:post-388971972007-09-17T09:22:49-05:002007-09-17T09:22:49-05:00One can find politics everywhere: the county board, state legislature, Presidential races and even the local church council. In a Common Dreams article, Russell Mokhiber writes about using local politics and local civic engagement as part of change on a...Amy Stratton