Helping founders find community and connections
Assists cooperatives and other businesses in rural areas succeed, through technical assistance, training, and publications. Assistance is delivered through a combination of ICDC staff, partner cooperative development agencies, and paid consultants. The cooperatives in all sectors are eligible for assistance through the Center. ICDC has extensive expertise in value-added and sustainable agriculture and local foods.
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Two-year graduate fellowship program for returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCV) and AmeriCorps (AC) Alumni. As part of their degree program, Fellows serve an eleven-month internship in a rural community, leading local development projects, such as: downtown revitalization, business retention and expansion, tourism development, health education, volunteer management, and disaster preparedness. Fellows work to build local capacity, mobilize people, and make sustainable progress. Any small town, group of towns, or local/county/regional agencies are eligible to apply to host a Fellow.
Learn more →The LEAD Program fosters leadership across all stages of the agricultural journey.
Learn more →The ReFED Project’s mission is to create economic growth in rural areas by providing business development assistance to beginning farmers, food processors, food hubs, food cooperatives, and independent grocers. Fellows work to build local capacity, mobilize people, and make sustainable progress. Any small town, group of towns, or local/county/regional agencies are eligible to apply to host a Fellow.
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