CFRV ~ The Center Council has a New Website!

Volume 1

Edition 5

May 2008

_________________________________________________________

Mark Your Calendar

Registration Underway

Virginia’s 2008

Rural Summit

Click to learn more & to Register September 2008
	S	M	T	W	T	F	S

		1	2	3	4	5	6
	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
	21	22	23	24	25	26	27
	28	29	30

www.cfrv.org

804-371-7141

540-231-6866

One Source to access both organizations

Two offices ~ one web presence www.cfrv.org

More convenient access to resources and to reach a broader audience
as we work together to advance policy to transform rural Virginia

Locating and connecting you to our partners

Using the Internet as our communication board to help regions share information, identify issues, find solutions and promote opportunities in rural Virginia

Workforce

Has NAFTA Been Good for America? - - - The United States has lost about 4 million manufacturing jobs since 1994. Is NAFTA
responsible? Many economists blame the march of technology . . . many blame China . . . Read more

Workforce

Entrepreneurs

What it Takes to be a Successful Entrepreneur

Marc Kramer, a faculty member at the Wharton School of Business, recently posted his list of what it takes to be a successful
entrepreneur. Common traits he noted among all entrepreneurs include: Read the list . . .

If you miss last month’s Entrepreneur Article by Will Vehrs, VDBA, Rural Entrepreneur Program Goes Statewide,

Find it in the March/April Rural View - Contact Will @ will.vehrs@vdba.virginia.gov VDBA website @ http://www.dba.state.va.us/

Rural Development

Zero new mandatory resources for community and economic development in rural America

The latest budget framework released on March 25 for the 2008 Farm Bill provides zero new mandatory resources for
community and economic development in rural America. Out of the more than 10 titles of the Farm Bill, Rural Development
is the most prominent issue area provided a big, fat goose egg. As the only federal agency focused exclusively on building the
community assets of rural America, the mission area of USDA Rural Development is far too important to leave off the priority
list for mandatory funds, let alone totally abandon. Read the full article . . .

Agriculture

& Natural Resources

EVERYONE is going to be concerned about the price of corn!

Many of you from a rural and/or farm background have undoubtedly heard "urbanites" say they don't care what the price of corn is.
I can assure you, as the price of groceries and eating out continues to climb, EVERYONE is going to be concerned about
the price of corn!

Even more – look at the stats - - - What’s Driving Food Price Inflation?

Retail food prices surged in 2007, posting their hightest gains in almost two decades. Food prices inflation in 2007 rose 2 times
as fast as overall inflarion - - 4% above 2006 levels . Read more in The Main Street Economist-Regional and Rural Analysis

The Power to Go Green - Learn more . . .

Agriculture
& Natural Resources

Expensive Energy

Senator Emmett Hanger – Senate District 24

Viewpoints of Land Preservation and Conservation in Virginia

“Virginia has a history of preserving and conserving our lands since the 1960s, but really became active beginning in the
mid 1990s.” Read more . . .

There’s an increasingly important reason to save energy, and it has nothing to do with global warming or American
dependence on hostile foreign sources of fuel. Even for those who think that the polar ice melt has nothing to do with
our use of fossil fuels, the reason will be significant. And it will be important to those who note that we buy much of our
oil from Canada and Mexico, two allies.

Three Questions: Is it the International Energy Market? Is it Global Warming? Or - - - Is it our Wasteful Ways??? Read more . . .

Note: Gas prices have risen dramatically since the date of this article.

National Rural Assembly

Rural Compact

Exert - - The Rural Compact is a statement of principle calling for positive changes for rural America that will benefit all of us. The Rural
Compact is a project of the National Rural Assembly, a movement of people and organizations devoted to building a stronger, more vibrant
rural America.

The National Rural Assembly is asking individuals and organizations to endorse the Rural Compact as a step forward for the nation as a whole. The Assembly will present the Compact and the endorsement list to those who are in a position to help rural communities, including federal and state policy makers, journalists, corporate leaders, philanthropists, community leaders, and others.

Education/Community Involvement

Rural Youth At Work

Education

Oliver McBride - Council Chair - Youth Engagement . . . Look at What They Can Do!

This is another example of what our students can do when engaged in local activities. We are excited about this campaign - the involvement of the local school divisions, local governments, local chambers of commerce, and the local economic development authority. This activity was the result of involving our students in a forum around the topic "Youth the Real Future of the South" in support of the Southern Growth Policies Board work with this topic as the theme for its 2008 Annual Report. Our students have formed a regional youth committee (TAKY) to continue working together for the benefit of our youth and our communities. Thank you for taking a look at this component of the Carroll, Galax, and Grayson story of youth engagement! Council to give youth a voice in the community

Editor’s Note: This is the second feature for the Carroll, Galax and Grayson youth engagement. That alone tells us to sit up and take notice. Rural Virginia’s future lies in the strength of our youth. Shouldn’t we all ensure active participation of rural youth in our community?

Wouldn't our best economic stimulus package be a diploma? Read More . . .

Healthcare

On-line Health Checkups - Disease Risk Index Calculator - - - do the following.

1. Pick a topic, such as Arthritis, 2. Click A, 3. Click Arthritis, 4.Click Assess Your Risk. Do this with any condition you need or wish
to know more about Healthfinder.gov

Prevention and Wellness – Next look at Prevention and Wellness.

Virginia Health Information - VHI is Your Source for Virginia Health Care Data

VHI has information and data on Virginia hospitals, health insurance, nursing facilities, physicians, retirement centers and other

health care providers. Learn about care options, compare services and choose providers. VHI also licenses databases and creates special reports for employers, researchers, consultants, and health care providers. Business Resource, Consumer & Provider Industry Reports / Comparison by Region Hospitals & Nursing Homes