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<FONT FACE="Times New Roman"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14.0px'><H3>Educational Opportunities for Community Builders<BR>
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The Rural Development Leadership Network assists community leaders to strengthen their practical skills, knowledge and credentials while remaining involved in their community development work.<BR>
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Participants may earn an academic degree (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.) by 1) <BR>
implementing a practical field project in their community, 2) pursuing related <BR>
independent study, and 3) participating in a month-long Rural Development Institute at <BR>
the University of California at Davis. Leaders are mentored by a team of <BR>
field and study advisors and work under the umbrella of a Sponsoring Organization, <BR>
which also contributes financially to RDLN. The amount ranges from $7,500 to <BR>
$30,000) depending upon the degree. The schools are fully accredited, and <BR>
qualified students may apply for federal financial aid.<BR>
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Food Security and Social Justice<BR>
We are currently recruiting a new group of participants, particularly those <BR>
involved in the food system, those working in the areas of agricultural <BR>
economic development, family farming and farmworker rights, land ownership and land <BR>
use, environmental protection and restoration, post harvest value added <BR>
activities (processing, marketing and distribution), as well as those working on <BR>
health, nutrition, and other food related issues. Small scholarships may be <BR>
available for participants in this cohort.<BR>
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Graduates<BR>
Among the graduates of the program are Shirley Sherrod, Director of Georgia <BR>
Field Operations for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives; Julie Moss, who <BR>
recently completed a term as Treasurer of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee <BR>
Indians; Nancy Warneke, formerly Director of the Tribal Business Information <BR>
Center at Salish Kootenai College; and Hector Correa, who developed a <BR>
demonstration farm and an appropriate technology project for small farmers in Puerto <BR>
Rico.<BR>
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Rural Development Leadership Network<BR>
RDLN is a U.S. based, multicultural social change organization, established <BR>
in 1983, that seeks to support community-based development in poor rural areas <BR>
through hands-on projects, education, leadership development, and networking.<BR>
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Deadline for applications: March 15, 2005<BR>
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For further Information, please contact:<BR>
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Starry Krueger<BR>
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Rural Development Leadership Network<BR>
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P.O. Box 98, Prince St. Station<BR>
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New York, NY 10012<BR>
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(212)777-9137/Fax (212)477-0367<BR>
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rdln@ruraldevelopment.org</FONT></SPAN><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'> <a href="mailto:rdln@ruraldevelopment.org"><mailto:rdln@ruraldevelopment.org></a> <BR>
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</SPAN><FONT SIZE="4"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:14.0px'><a href="http://www.ruraldevelopment.org">http://www.ruraldevelopment.org</a></SPAN></FONT><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'> <a href="http://www.ruraldevelopment.org"><http://www.ruraldevelopment.org></a> <BR>
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