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This message is the first in a series of informal news notes for friends and supporters of the Wisconsin Academy's now completed Future of Farming and Rural Life in Wisconsin (FOF) project.

The 2.5-year FOF study focused on several primary themes: Production Agriculture, Food Systems, Conservation of Natural Resources and Community (social, economic and cultural factors).

The study attempted to develop a new vision for rural Wisconsin and a path to a more sustainable, diverse and economically viable future for the state.

We want to let you know that the Council of Rural Initiatives (CRI)--successor organization to FOF--will ensure that recommendations from the report will be actively pursued. Here, then, is a basic status report on the new initiative.

Mission

The Council of Rural Initiatives furthers the work of the Future of Farming and Rural Life in Wisconsin project and the recommendations of its 2007 report by serving as a clearinghouse of information and ideas for decision-makers and the public about the needs of rural citizens; continuing a broadly based inclusive dialogue on issues judged important to the economic and social advancement of rural Wisconsin; developing rural leadership capacity; and supporting and guiding rural leaders as they set priorities, build capacity, and establish pilot projects which demonstrate the viability of sustainable rural economies.

Structure

Ø The Council of Rural Initiatives (CRI) was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in February 2008.

Ø An initial Board of Directors was named, including:

· John Rosenow, Chair. Managing Partner, Rosenow-Wolfe Dairy, Cochrane; nrosenow@mwt.net

· Stan Gruszynski, Vice-Chair. Project Assistant, College of Natural Resources, UW-Stevens Point; stan.gruszynski@uwsp.edu

· Tom Lyon, Secretary. Retired Businessman, Unrestricted Portfolio, Cambridge; barbietl@verizon.net

· Rick Stadelman, Treasurer. Executive Director, Wisconsin Towns Association, Shawano; wtowns1@frontiernet.net

· Dale Gallenberg, Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, UW-River Falls; dale.gallenberg@uwrf.edu

· Karl Klessig, Dairy Farmer, Saxon Homestead Farm, LLC, Cleveland; saxon1@tds.net

· Gary Radloff, Director, Policy & Strategic Communications, Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP), Madison; gary.radloff@wisconsin.gov

· Rick Klemme, Interim Dean and Director, Cooperative Extension, UW-Extension, richard.klemme@ces.uwex.edu

Jane Royer Carter, Client & Business Services, Dairy Business Innovation Center, Mayville, jroycart@aol.com

Ø The board will be expanded to 15 members over the course of 2008, selected to represent various stakeholders, regions, disciplines, interests and perspectives, to satisfy diversity goals defined by CRI bylaws.

Ø Wilda Nilsestuen, previously director of the Future of Farming project, was named executive director June 1st.

Ø Thanks to the generosity of the Wisconsin Academy, CRI remains in the Future of Farming project office at the Academy for the time being. CRI will relocate to a permanent home in the fall.

Strategy

Ø CRI will serve as the umbrella for multiple efforts and multiple issues, often centered in local projects where leadership exists or can be developed.

Ø From the 83 recommendations in the FOF report, the CRI Board has selected three of the top priorities for its initial year of operation:
· Rural Health Care
· Rural Labor Issues
· Working Lands Preservation/Sustainability

Ø Much of CRI's work will be built on coalitions-joining need, expertise, resources and passion in service of particular goals. Declared partners for various projects at this point include St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development, UW-River Falls; DATCP; UW-Extension; Wisconsin Immigration Task Force; and Puentes/Bridges.

Goals

CRI will:
Ø Serve as a catalyst for developing a bipartisan rural agenda for policy makers.
Ø Promote grassroots organization through a collaborative process around issues identified by the Wisconsin Academy's Future of Farming project.
Ø Raise public and private funds to initiate and sustain long-term efforts in support of rural health and sustainability, beginning with a series of pilot projects identified through FOF.
Ø Provide grassroots training around organizing, leadership and content related to specific issues/projects.
Ø Provide voice and visibility to citizen efforts devoted to rural development in many areas.
Ø Develop models that can be replicated for other issues, other sectors, and other locations.
Ø Build capacity for creating sustainable rural communities in Wisconsin including practical applications of tools for citizen action at the local level.
Ø Put "people in the field" to accomplish the above.

Resource Development

In this early stage, fundraising is of course a priority for CRI. In addition to pursuing a federal grant, CRI has applied for grant funding to key supporters of the FOF project and will be pursuing other sources, both public and private, to implement our plans.
If you or an organization you know would like to know more about how you can contribute to our success, we would be delighted to hear from you! And as always, we welcome all voices to the table!

Wilda Nilsestuen
Executive Director
608-263-1692 X12, wnilsestuen@wisconsinacademy.org