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New Rural Realities:

There has been a convergence of thought on the need for an effective rural policy. Practitioners, researchers, and policy makers alike are coming to understand that there must be a “New Social Contract” for rural America if communities are expected to thrive. Rural Minnesota, like the rest of rural America, has at least five new realities:
  1. "Rural" is much more than agriculture; and the future success of our
    nation's family farms are critically linked to the economies of rural
    communities.

  2. The rural economy has strengthened and is growing, but remains
    fragile and uneven

  3. While the economy of rural Minnesota, in general, has improved,
    persistent pockets of rural poverty remain.

  4. The 1990's rural population shifts are fascinating and significant

  5. The relationship between federal, state, and local governments, and
    government revenue streams, have a major impact on rural areas.

Toward a Community Based Rural Policy for our Nation:
Exploiting New Rural Realities and Federal Policies
http://www.rupri.org/ruralPolicy/presentations/jeffersontx.pdf
Presentation by Charles W. Fluharty, Director, to the TX Office of Rural Community Affairs, January 18, 2002.


Minnesota Rural Partners developed the Rural Policy Forum to address these and related issues from a grassroots perspective.

For more information relating to the New Rural Realities, we invite you to visit these links:
Home | New Rural Realities | New Social Contract | A Grassroots Voice | Integrated Services | Convenings | Contact Us | FAQ's

Rural Policy Forum is a service of Minnesota Rural Partners, Inc. - 1533 Grantham St. St. Paul, MN 55108
Email: info@ruralpolicyforum.org - Phone (651) 645-9403 - Fax: (651) 646-3818

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This page was revised on: 3/5/05