Rural Partnership Conference

The Rural Development Council of Michigan, in partnership with 13 other organizations, sponsored the 2000 Rural Partnership Conference – Michigan’s Rural Resources: A Foundation for Successful Community Development. The Conference was held on April 12 – 13, 2000, at the Shanty Creek Conference Center in Bellaire, MI.

Several issues facing rural Michigan were highlighted during this two-day conference. Such issues included: preparing rural Michigan for the 21^st Century, learning to build a community’s capacity, partnering with the timber industry throughout Michigan, capturing a community’s economic dollars, adding value to agricultural resources, building a thriving community around a community’s natural resources, and capitalizing on the digital revolution.

The 2000 Rural Partnership Conference was co-sponsored by the Rural Development Council of Michigan, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Saginaw-Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, Michigan Association of Regions, Michigan Family Independence Agency, Michigan State University Extension, USDA – Rural Development, USDA – Farm Service Agency, Wade-Trim, Inc., Michigan Farm Bureau, Detroit Edison, Consumers Energy Company, Great Lakes Oil Company, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Mendon Heritage Schoolhouse Project

The former Mendon High School building, a historical community landmark built in 1905 in St. Joseph County, has been vacant and boarded up for a number of years. Rather than razing the structure, a group of community leaders have been exploring renovation of the building and finding ways to utilize it for various community needs. The community requested assistance from the Rural Development Council of Michigan in facilitating community support for the project and to provide input as to a possible course of action.

The renovation plan was developed by a steering committee comprised of dedicated, actively involved individuals from Mendon and surrounding rural areas. The RDCM was asked to help facilitate a community meeting, attended by over 75 local citizens, by helping groups of attendees identify the building’s assets and liabilities, with regard to the project, and to develop ideas for a vision for future use of the school. A report was completed by RDCM and submitted to the community summarizing the results of the meeting as well as recommendations for next steps in developing a business feasibility plan for the project.

As the community and project leaders continue to move forward with this project, RDCM will continue to provide additional assistance in outlining the next course of action and the development of a clear strategy for broadening community support and ownership of the project. Continued assistance is being provided in the completion of a business feasibility plan and in pursuing a funding strategy in accordance with the business plan.

Ultimate Land Use Conference

The Rural Development Council of Michigan helped organize The Ultimate Land Use Conference, which was sponsored by twenty-four organizations and held on February 28 & 29, 2000, at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, MI. More than 500 people filled the banquet room area, with overflow crowds spilling into the hallway. Participants included local officials, state legislators, farmers, builders and others concerned about land use issues. Topics included in the conference were strategies for urban redevelopment, innovative designs for new housing developments, transportation and infrastructure planning, the role of business in community growth and various farmland preservation strategies. The conference served as an educational tool as well as a professional development opportunity for many local leaders.

SChip Programs

Throughout the year 2000, the Rural Development Council of Michigan continued its work on the State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SChip) started in 1999, but the Council’s efforts have expanded to include several other counties. The Rural Development Council of Michigan held a MI Child meeting in Roscommon County in February 2000. During such meetings, RDCM board promoted the MI Child and WIC program for children.

The first seminar was held in Clare County and the second was in Roscommon. Forty-five individuals attended these public meetings. Meeting attendees included individuals from churches, public and private schools, the health department, county commission and housing commissions. At least seven other counties have asked for similar seminars to be held and the community-based approach to be duplicated. The Council also submitted a grant, in partnership with the Michigan Center for Rural Health, to the National Center for Rural Health. The grant was accepted and funding will be available in the next year to broaden the approach to additional communities.

Ultimate Farmland Preservation Bus Tours

The Rural Development Council of Michigan co-sponsored and helped organize two Ultimate Farmland Preservation Tours during 2000, which included 275 participants. The first tour of the year was held March 30-April 3, 2000 and the second tour was held September 14-18, 2000. The five-day bus tour of seven counties throughout Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania allows participants the opportunity to get a first-hand look at some of the best farmland protection tools and sustainable development strategies in the country. Nearly 650 people have been a participant on the five UFP Tours held to date.

The tour highlights communities that have successfully utilized transfer of development rights, purchase of development rights, agricultural security areas, effective agricultural zoning, urban growth boundaries, smart growth strategies and innovative urban development options to address various land use issues. Sponsors of the highly successful UFP tour have included Michigan Agri-Business Association, Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Farmland and Community Alliance, Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems, American Farmland Trust – Central Great Lakes Region, and Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

The participants, which included urban officials, state legislators, realtors, farmers, county and township officials, were impressed with the impact the programs had made in those counties and saw how successful farmland preservation programs can make a really big difference for the economic future of agriculture. The tours have resulted in many participants actively leading local efforts in their communities and many have been elected to local offices in their community.

Community Visits and Panel Discussions

The RDCM Governing Board visited a number of communities during the course of the year to learn first hand from local leaders about many of the issues they are dealing with. These on-the road discussions have allowed the Council to visit with Dow Corning executives, to learn about expanding agricultural development opportunities with companies like Bay View Foods and Monitor Sugar, to see first hand how community leaders can rally together to build an unprecedented camp for handicap children, and to understand challenges facing rural communities as they learn to create affordable long-term care arrangements for the elderly. Other trips have allowed Council members to visit with rural community leaders that have successfully redeveloped a contaminated brownfield site, to learn about issues related to genetic modification and seed production, to more clearly understand the challenges facing the timber industry and to see how rural communities are finding ways to provide top-notch telecommunication training and facilities for their youth.

The struggles, problems and successes of rural communities come alive as Council members engage rural leaders in discussions about their personal and community projects. One of the great benefits has been a greater awareness of the Council by rural citizens and a greater awareness by Council members of the multiple and unique challenges facing rural Michigan. RDCM Governing Board members return better informed and more knowledgeable about the vital importance of diverse partnerships in solving problems and advancing rural development.

Land Use Leadership Training Program

A 12-month leadership training program was implemented, in partnership with the Michigan Farmland and Community Alliance and Michigan Farm Bureau, to increase land use knowledge and understanding and to provide leadership training for those who wish to affect positive change in their communities. The 42 participants ranged in background from farmers, members of the real estate community, and urban leaders to local and county officials. The training program provided in-depth training education on various land use issues as well as leadership development. Sessions focused on formulating messages, partnership building, communicating with the media, communication skills, planning and zoning issues, farmland preservation strategies, agriculture development, urban redevelopment and collaborative efforts between rural and urban initiatives. Participants were also required to complete various community action assignments, which were tailored to their community, during the year-long program.

Agricultural Development Assistance

The Rural Development Council of Michigan continues to provide assistance in implementing strategies to further strengthen the agricultural processing industry. RDCM works with the Michigan Department of Agriculture in their efforts to expand value added opportunities in the state and has provided assistance to individual companies in developing successful business and marketing strategies.

Michigan Community Showcase Tour

The Rural Development Council of Michigan hosted, along with the Michigan Farmland and Community Alliance and Michigan Farm Bureau, the Michigan Community Showcase Land Use Tour, held June 20 & 21, 2000. Eighty participants, representing farmers, community leaders and elected officials, spent two days visiting various Michigan communities and learning about their approaches to urban redevelopment, suburban development designs and farmland preservation.

Tour stops included Lansing, Grand Rapids and Traverse City, with an opportunity to see first hand unique development projects and thousands of acres of preserved farmland. Participants learned from General Motors officials about their efforts in redeveloping existing urban sites and some of the redevelopment challenges faced by developers in downtown Grand Rapids. The tour also stopped at Bailey’s Grove, an award winning development project, where developer Mick McGraw shared his experience in building a planned community with nearly 1000 diverse housing units. In addition, community leaders shared their experiences in developing local farmland preservation programs, including implementation of purchase of developments rights and transfer of development rights programs. Tour participants were able to gain important insights into the various steps that are essential in establishing programs in their own communities.

Community Assistance

The Rural Development Council of Michigan continued to provide assistance to communities and individuals requesting information on resources available for infrastructure and community facilities construction and for assistance with implementing community and business development strategies. RDCM continues to serve as rural resource for information and link to other organizations that can provide assistance. RDCM has worked directly with the Enterprise Communities in Lake County on obtaining grants to upgrade telecommunication technology and with the Enterprise Community in Clare County.

Successful Legislative Initiatives

At the request of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, RDCM provided assistance in the development of legislative initiatives to strengthen the agricultural industry. These successful initiatives included the capping of property tax assessment increases on farmland, even with the transfer of ownership to other farmland owners, to 5% or the CPI, which ever is less. Estimates suggest this could help reduce agricultural property taxes by more than 35%. In addition, the legislature also passed legislation establishing the State Agricultural Preservation Fund, which will provide state matching funds to local communities which have established local farmland preservation programs.

RDCM Communications Strategies

The Rural Development Council of Michigan has continued to promote the Council’s role in addressing rural issues. Projects for strong communication of the Council’s efforts and involvement throughout rural Michigan include: displaying an informational booth at various conferences, publishing "The Road Less Traveled" newsletter and by distributing the RDCM Profile Directory, providing a listing of the various areas of expertise represented on the Council’s Governing Board. Future communication strategies will include a revised and an up-to-date RDCM website that can serve as resource and link for rural communities and leaders.