The next generation of rural Catholics, funding opportunities for farm conservation, and more!

May 8, 2015

Mission

Our mission is to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ for the social, eco nomic, and spiritual development of rural America.

CRL helps rural people shape their futures and lead lives of dignity and piety

by providing spiritual, educational and advocacy assistance.

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Prayer for

Month of May

Dear God,

you are the Creator of all things;

all the goods of the earth are yours.

Teach us again how to feel the earth

and show us where we came from.

Ease all our questions, point us in the right direction,

and bring us home to You.

Dear Christ, you are always by our side;

You are always standing next us.

In the darkness, You send us your light;

You stand against the threatening tides.

Dear Holy Spirit, always protect and guide us.

Cover the earth with goodness and grace.

Bring us home to live and love in God's land.

Amen

Spring magazine focuses on "The Next Generation"

Family farms and fervent faith have long defined the American countryside. But how do we pass these treasured gifts on to the next generation?

That's a question explored in CRL's Spring 2015 magazine, which includes profiles of effective youth ministry in the countryside, an assessment of the challenges and opportunities facing beginning farmers, and an inspiring interview with a young family who left the city for life on the land. Guest commentaries also consider the rural-vocations connection and the future of America's small towns.

Visit the online CRL store to purchase this issue today!

Funding available for conservation projects

The US Department of Agriculture has just announced the availability of up to 235 million dollars to fund projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

RCCP supports partnerships between farm and conservation organizations working with state and federal agencies to deliver federal farm bill conservation assistance to farmers to help tackle specific natural resource and environmental concerns in a specific state of region.

Partners can develop and submit pre-proposals until July 8. For more information on applying, visit the RCCP site.

Climate meeting in Rome underscores Church's important role

A declaration at the end of a meeting in Rome hosted by the Vatican called on the world's religions to engage and mobilize on the threat of climate change.

"Human-induced climate change is a scientific reality, and its decisive mitigation is a moral and religious imperative for humanity," the declaration said. "In this core moral space, the world's religions play a very vital role."

Visit the Pontifical Academy of Sciences website to read the gathering's Declaration (April 28) and the more detailed Statement (April 29), shown in the box at right titled Related.

Apply to be a 2015 Bootstrap Blogger

Know any beginning farmers with a penchant for writing? Then make sure to let them know about National Young Farmers Coalition Bootstrap Blogger program.

NYFC is looking for three farmers or ranchers to write monthly blog posts beginning in June 2015 and ending in December 2015. Selected bloggers will receive a stipend. Learn more about becoming a Bootstrap Blogger at NYFC's website.

Volunteer in East Africa with Farmer to Farmer

Have experience running a small business? Or want to share your agricultural insights with local farmers in a developing nation?

Consider volunteering through the Farmer-to-Farmer program! Catholic Rural Life is helping recruit volunteers for this program, which is being administered in East Africa by Catholic Relief Services.

Click here to learn more.

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Contact Info

Jonathan Liedl

Communications Coordinator

(651) 895-4439

[email protected]