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What if communities had an alternative source of funds to facilitate service delivery? Could these funds compensate for the challenges confronted related to large distances and low densities? Would the chronic challenges of service-withdrawal from the abdication of provincial and federal governments be overcome? How would access to alternative funding change the dynamics of rural sustainability, if at all? These are the questions Dr. Ryan Gibson’s recent publication explores in the edited book “Service Provision and Rural Sustainability: Infrastructure and Innovation”.

Dave Guyadeen, University of Guelph, Assistant Professor in Rural Planning and Development within SEDRD and his colleagues, Jason Thistlethwaite and Daniel Henstra (University of Waterloo), recently published their research on the quality of municipal climate change plans in Canada. The article, published in Climatic Changes, discusses the results from their plan quality evaluation of 63 climate change plans across Canada.

The new book entitled "The Evolution of Golf Course Design"  by MLA alumnus Keith Cutten, encompasses material that has only scantily been covered in golfing literature. In fact, much of it is unique, as these new findings provide exciting revelations pertaining to golf’s rich history. Supplemented by more than 300 images and architectural plans, this publication is the first golf architecture book to investigate one seemingly simply question: Why?

Researchers and practitioners are embarking on topics, such as digital agriculture, big data and social media. The research program of Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury aligns with this exploration and seeks to advance understanding about innovative use of social and collaborative media for enhancing knowledge mobilization, learning and innovation networks of agricultural professionals. He has been collaborating on several studies to investigate social and collaborative media for supporting innovation networks of agricultural professionals.

The current issue of the Ontario Planning Journal (Vol. 33, No. 6) features a range of rural planning and development topics. Wayne Caldwell, RPD faculty, talks about two realities in rural Ontario and the impacts on the practice of planning. Sara Epp, PhD candidate in Rural Studies, considers the settlement of Mennonite farmers in northern Ontario communities and the impact on local food systems.

As a second-year MSc student in the Rural Planning and Development program, I’ve already had many outstanding opportunities to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to the “real world”. My thesis project, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECP), has served as a gateway to such opportunities. Specifically, through the onsite wastewater industry. My work focuses on best management practice development for mandated reinspection programs for onsite wastewater systems within the Lake Simcoe watershed.

How do you share academic research conducted by graduate students with local practitioners and local leaders to make sure findings and recommendations are put into action? Bridging this divide is always challenging, however, the recent Rural Talks 2 Rural Conference mastered this connection! 

The Farm Radio program was revived in Blyth, Ontario during the 2018 Rural Talks 2 Rural Conference! Farm Radio Forum was a weekly CBC Radio program that aired from 1941-1965. The radio program highlighted agricultural developments, techniques, and provided education to farmers across Canada.

The newly installed art sculpture entitlted “The Hand-Off’ has been installed at University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium which was created by MLA grad Robert Cram of Robert Cram Workshop.   

Valencia Gaspard, PhD candidate in Rural Studies in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, was elected President of the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation at the recent Health and Shared Prosperity Conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation is a national charitable organization devoted to empowering rural communities, leaders, and researchers.