THE RURBAN FRINGE

5 Common Collaboration Myths

I’ve heard it said that collaboration is about a strong, shared sweet spot of mutual benefit.  And it can be … when everyone arrives on the same page.  The following are 5 common collaboration myths, debunked. 

Everyone is doing it.  The promise of collaboration is everywhere.  Community groups, agencies and organizations may all claim to be collaborating, but [...]

Slaughtering Your Organization’s Sacred Cows

The myth of the ’sacred cow’ began ages ago where, in some medieval cultures, cows were revered, never to be killed for food or used to assist with farm work.  These sacred cows enjoyed a serene life, having free run of the spaces within the community’s gates in which they lived.  They suffered no enemies, [...]

The Urban Farmer?

To many, the phrase ‘urban farmer’ is an oxymoron. 
But the notion of ‘urban agriculture’ has been around for decades and the concept  is used by the United Nations to develop safe, local food chains and generate employment for citizens in developing countries.
Today, urban agriculture is gaining popular momentum in urbanized settings as many metro centres recognize the [...]

The Impacts of Rural School Consolidation

Rural schools have always played an important role in their communities by providing both an education and fostering a community’s sense of identity.
Beyond their educational function, rural schools are used for sports.  Music and theatre.  Community events.  And are increasingly vital for the cultural and economic development of their communities.
Vibrant communities generally have schools; dying [...]

Have You Talked to a Farmer Today?

There’s a growing movement of using social media as a strategy for connecting those intimately involved in agriculture and rural development. 
For instance, FarmOn.com is …
” … an online web service that connects producers to the information, resources and planning they need for innovative and sustainable practices for the … farm business.  FarmOn.com also connects consumers directly to producer [...]

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