The League of Rural Voters uses grassroots organizing and communications tools to connect with rural voters in pivotal Midwestern states, focusing on issues like economic development, Social Security, immigration, trade and farm policy, health care and education. We work to make sure the voices of rural America continue to be heard.
Since 1985, the League of Rural Voters has joined its voice with rural Americans, working to create change by harnessing the power of the ballot box.
We believe in the power of a grassroots approach – strengthening the capacity and capabilities of those with
The impetus for this guide and the work it reflects originated with the establishment of USDA’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” (KYF2) Initiative. Launched in 2009, the mission of KYF2 is to strengthen the critical connection between farmers and consumers and support local and regional food systems. As such, it is closely aligned with the broader mission of USDA to support agriculture, rural development, and healthy nutrition.
This report is based on Wallace Center research, field work, and findings from a value chain development analysis carried out between January and March 2012 by Wallace Center leadconsultant Gregory Sullivan; Alabama consultant Andrew Williams; and Mississippi consultantKatrina McLin. Funding for the Increasing Farmer Success in Local Food Markets in the DeepSouth: Mississippi & Alabama project comes from the Walmart Foundation. Please direct questions or inquiries to Devona Bell Sherwood at the Wallace Center at WinrockInternational, Project Manager for Increasing Farmer Success:
This three-year pilot project focused on developing resources that promote and improve locally-devised practices to encourage mobilization and participation of rural volunteers. Research was structured in three phases:
Phase 1: Collected and analyzed survey data from volunteers in 16 rural organizations in both the East and West.
Phase 2: Identified 25 volunteer management practices being done successfully by rural groups; transplanted practices to different organizations and monitored trial practices; compiled case study accounts of trial practices.
Founded in 1985, Practical Farmers of Iowa includes a diverse group of 1,500 farmers and friends of farmers. Corn, soybeans, beef cattle and hay are the top enterprises for PFI farmers, although many have other operations, including fruits and vegetables. Our nonfarmer members believe that farmers can provide multiple benefits to society, including food and fiber, but also clean air and water and biodiversity on the land. Our mission is to advance profitable, ecologically sound, and community-enhancing approaches to agriculture through farmer-led investigation and information sharing.
Storm Lake and Buena Vista County are considered locally as part of the Iowa Lakes Corridor, which is comprised of Buena Vista County, Clay County, Dickinson County, and Emmet County. Together, these counties form the region known by Iowans as extending from Iowa’s Great Lakes (including the Okoboji Lakes and Spirit Lake) in Emmet County south to Storm Lake in Buena Vista County.
WORC is a regional network of seven grassroots community organizations that include 10,000 members and 38 local chapters. WORC helps its member groups succeed by providing training and coordinating issue work.
WORC’s mission is to advance the vision of a democratic, sustainable, and just society through community action. WORC is committed to building sustainable environmental and economic communities that balance economic growth with the health of people and stewardship of their land, water, and air resources.
The National Catholic Rural Life Conference was founded in 1923 under the inspiration of Bishop Edwin Vincent O'Hara. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, the organization is comprised of dedicated bishops, laity and religious who are joined in a common effort to serve the rural church, rural people and their communities.
Organizing is the art of bringing more and more people into the movement for social justice. A group’s database is a critical tool for keeping track of your group’s contacts so you can mobilize the largest possible number of people for social change.
From Iowa CCI, this toolkit gives you six tips on how to lobby your legislator or elected official. Iowa CCI's mission is to empower and unite grassroots people of all ethnic backgrounds to take control of their communities; involve them in identifying problems and needs and in taking action to address them; and be a vehicle for social, economic, and environmental justice.
