THE RURBAN FRINGE

The Big Business of Farmer’s Markets & Ag Matchmaking

Whew … it’s a busy week … so feel free to catch up with me at FarmOn.com – an online agricultural social networking community – where I’ve noted how Farmer’s Markets are Big Business and how programs in the US are matching newbie farmers to seasoned ones in efforts to encourage more folks to enter the agricultural [...]

The Rurban Fringe ‘Eat Local’ Challenge: Day 66

With vacations, day trips, and loads of friends and family to entertain this summer … I’ve found it both easy – and extremely challenging – to stay true to the challenge from time-to-time.
While vacationing in British Columbia, for instance, there was local food available everywhere … from small fruit stands to large farm operations. 
DeMille’s Farm Market – [...]

2009 Early Fall Conference Line-Up

Fall is almost here and with it, a slew of conferences, workshops, and professional development opportunities for those interested in the fields of municipal/community/economic development.
Below is an abbreviated list – and is by no means comprehensive – but check out Municipal World’s listings for additional information … and please feel free to add to this if you are aware [...]

Leverage Local Tourism Efforts With ‘Locals Know’ Campaign

With folks watching their pocketbooks and staying closer to home this vacation season, many businesses reliant on tourism are feeling the pinch. 
Yet the tourism industry contributes to many local, regional, and provincial economies, and a summer campaign by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) encourages Canadians to explore their own country … spending their dollars in Canadian communities along the [...]

Rural Regeneration Needs to Be Tied to Immigration

Data recently released by Statistics Canada indicates that immigrants account for 5.3% of the population – approximately 312,500 individuals – living in Canada’s rural and small town areas.
However, the majority of immigrants who live these areas arrived in Canada before 1986.  It is these established immigrants that make up about 70% of all immigrants in rural [...]

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