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Sustainability planning provides a useful framework for oganizations seeking to thrive in difficult times

Thinking about Running for Local Office, a workshop offered in a number of counties prior to the spring primary election, was a success according to participants.

Local economic development can start with you. Here's what you can do to help your local farmer.

The American Recover and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is an economic stimulus package in hopes of creating jobs and promoting investment and consumer spending during the recession. A recent report entitled, Economic Recovery Part Two: We Need More Action on Jobs and Wages, reveals updates on the effect of the Act and other actions of Pennsylvania’s economy and its metropolitan areas.

A few years ago, it became clear to some Extension educators that Pennsylvania needed stronger community participation in local government.

You're walking with a friend having a great conversation. Lots of important things are being discussed. Suddenly, they turn down a street one way and you keep walking, and both of you keep talking, but suddenly this conversation isn't going so well anymore. It doesn't work.

There has been an evident increase in each state’s level of unemployment due to the U.S. economy. Job growth is one of the most closely watched indicators of a state’s economic situation and Pennsylvania is seen as healthier than most other states.

The United States higher education staffing system has been experiencing a reduction in the proportion of jobs for full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty members and a significant growth in full-time non-tenure-track, part-time/adjunct faculty and graduate employees.

Get this: the moment you put foot in Pennsylvania soil, you are standing in four different legal jurisdictions. And believe me, when it comes time to pay taxes, you'll want these sorted it your head. It can get a bit confusing so sit down, get some coffee and tea, and hang with me.

The impact of obtaining a General Educational Development (GED) credential for those who have not graduated from high school is demonstrated by the change in perception of themselves and their future success in employment, education and income.

Things are changing for many people in Pennsylvania these days and the Cooperative Extension is stepping in to help with the process! Since the Marcellus Shale Industry has become new phenomena in recent years, many communities have been asking questions about how to respond to new situations that have never happened before.

"People assume that tech schools don't lead to college. That just isn't true," Bob Veilleux commented at the beginning of his presentation. And it wouldn't be too much to say that saying "vo-tech" brings up a lot of different associations and connotations- most of them not terribly positive. In the past, it can seem to imply things like "not going to college", "less than great", "only for certain kinds of people".

"I'm a trainer. A life skills teacher. A mentor. A programmer. I want to show people how to get a job and keep it," was how Brenda Williams described her work, her voice was firm, to the point, and awake with excitement and passion.

Rural residents are taking on leadership roles to improve their communities; however, there have been many challenges that they face due to the economic, social, cultural, political and global forces that influence the local events in rural Pennsylvania.

How would your hometown look to a newcomer? Would she feel at home there? Would she think it looks nice? Would she be treated in a friendly manner? Would she do business there? Would she feel like coming back again?

Penn State University in conjunction with the Center for Rural Pennsylvania is conducting an ongoing study analyzing Pennsylvanian rural youth and their educational and career goals.

An increasing number of Pennsylvania residents with developmental disabilities are reaching the age of 55 and beyond.

A study compiled for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania titled, Survey of Emergency Management and Preparedness Agencies in Pennsylvania’s Rural Counties, explores the differences between rural and urban counties regarding the overall quality of emergency preparedness services.

In a dual study prepared for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania titled, Analyses of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data for Rural Health Outcomes, Slippery Rock University and The Pennsylvania State University compared rural and urban Pennsylvanian resident’s health profiles, lifestyles choices, and use of health care services.