Over the past 50 years, there have been unprecedented changes in the beef industry, but it's nothing compared to what's to come in the next 50. Agricultural systems expert Paul Genho offered his thoughts on the changes to come during the 2016 Leu Distinguished Lecture on Oct. 31 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Dr. Paul Genho, a Visiting Professor at the University of Florida and independent consultant for various agricultural firms, visited the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for two presentations on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Both presentations are available below for viewing.During his career Dr. Genho served as Chairman of the Board of AgReserves, Inc., vice president and general manager of King Ranch and manager of Deseret Ranches of Florida. He has held numerous leadership positions within the National Cattleman's Beef Association, scientific, agricultural and academic communities.
Dr. Genho's visit was made possible by UNL's Center for Grassland Studies and Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program in partnership with the Rural Futures Institute at the University of Nebraska.
Thank you for your interest in the 2017 Rural Futures Institute Research & Engagement Awards Program. As it is after 4:00 pm CST on Wednesday, March 15, we are no longer accepting proposal submissions.
Up to four awards will be made with $75,000 maximum per award.
The project time period will not exceed 24 months.
The University of Nebraska is committed to establishing a transformative Rural Futures Institute (RFI). RFI's vision, mission and core values are the fundamental underpinnings for this request for proposals.
RFI will be a locally, nationally and internationally recognized leader focused on increasing community capacity as well as the hope and confidence of rural people to address their challenges and opportunities, resulting in resilient and sustainable futures.
The purpose of RFI Competitive Awards is to foster the development of research and engagement work that addresses critical challenges and opportunities facing rural areas. These awards are to function as "seed grants" that are designed to lay the foundation for grant requests to funding sources external to the University of Nebraska or sustainable funding through other mechanisms such as fees and contracts. Although all of the core values underpin the RFI Competitive Awards program, successful proposals must explicitly address transdisciplinary and collaborative considerations both internal and external to the University. Transdisciplinary research uses a strategy that crosses many disciplinary boundaries to create a holistic approach. Additionally, if RFI is to be successful, it must create an environment in which deep and meaningful collaborative partnerships are the norm: across campuses; across departments and disciplines; and with external stakeholders such as other non-University campuses, communities, state and local government, trade associations, civic groups and the philanthropic community. Proposals that demonstrate meaningful multi-campus and appropriate disciplinary collaborations will score more favorably. These collaborative partnerships are the essence of engaged research or "engagement." Engaged research establishes reciprocal relationships of mutual respect and understanding. The mindset and attitude must be one of doing research "with the community," rather than doing research "for the community" or "to the community." Finally, proposals are expected to be innovative and bold in their proposed action, partnerships and outcomes. It is important to note that the issues facing rural areas include economic considerations but not to the exclusion of other equally important considerations. Basic human services such as health care and education present both challenges and opportunities to rural people and places. Even broader considerations are the natural environment and the civic, cultural, design and artistic aspect of human and community development that cannot easily be counted and measured, nor justified only in terms of economic returns. RFI Competitive Awards encourages proposals in which progress and viability are defined by the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental considerations.
University faculty and staff as well as Nebraska community members and non-NU higher education faculty/staff are welcome to apply; however, either the Principal Investigator (PI) or a co-Principal Investigator (co-PI) must be affiliated with NU and take responsibility for administering the award funds.
Potential to result in contributions to and measurable outcomes consistent with RFI's vision and mission.
Compatibility with RFI's core values, especially transdisciplinary, collaborative, innovative and bold considerations.
Potential to increase competitiveness for future external funding that is consistent with the vision and mission of RFI.
Recipients are expected to participate in a working group composed of the RFI Research & Engagement award recipients. It is anticipated this group will meet at least once per academic year to share 'best practices' and lessons learned around innovative and creative processes and strategies unique to the research and engagement work undertaken.
Recipients are expected to share their insights and findings at a variety of appropriate venues including conferences, such as the Rural Futures Conference, and in refereed publications. In addition, the PI is expected to work with both the RFI Director of Competitive Awards and the RFI Director of Communications on external communications opportunities (white papers, interviews, recorded presentation, lecture, webinar, etc.) to share project results/findings with the broader RFI audience.
The project should be completed within 24 months. Extensions are discouraged and will only be considered for extreme circumstances (6 months maximum).
Funds may be used for wages and salaries of faculty and staff (provided the award is not used to generate salary savings*), graduate and undergraduate students and other key personnel; as well as operating expenses such as databases, supplies and travel that are directly related to the project.
The person who wigns this form should be the PI or co-PI from the University of Nebraska who will administer the award funds. Include his/her campus address as well as the PI or co-PI signature. It also requires signature of the appropriate campus administrator, verifying submission approval.
(1/2 page – abstract on separate page from project narrative) Summarize the purpose, importance, expected outcomes and key activities/milestones of the proposal.
Identifying and Managing Adversity: Obstacles and barriers are often encountered in the implementation and execution of new projects. What do you anticipate will be the most challenging aspect of executing your proposal and what are some steps that can be taken to minimize this challenge or are there alternative ways of moving the project forward if the obstacle is insurmountable?
Note: References cited in the Context/Justification section are included in the 6-page limit.
Provide up to a two-page biographical sketch/vitae for each PI/co-PIs. Do not exceed two pages per person.
Thank you for your interest in the 2017 Rural Futures Institute Teaching & Engagement Awards Program. As it is after 4:00 pm CST on Wednesday, March 1, we are no longer accepting proposal submissions.
Up to five awards will be made with $20,000 maximum per award.
Each program/project/course must be delivered twice during the two years.
Through a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, RFI mobilizes the diverse resources of the University of Nebraska and its partners to support rural communities and regions in building upon their unique strengths and assets to achieve their desired futures.
Implement civic engagement efforts into new or existing programs to develop RFI's core values in both communities and partnering campuses. For example, involving partners in recruitment/retention programs; creating learning communities that include civic engagement in the design; establishing diversity initiatives that explicitly link active and collaborative community-based teaching and learning with the academic success of underrepresented students or internship programs in rural communities. Community partners are particularly encouraged to seek, in conjunction with participating campuses or institutions of higher education, funding for the civic engagement portion of the teaching and learning award funding.
advancing student understanding of course content through real world experiences.
Proposals will be reviewed by a panel that will include representation from the University of Nebraska's four campuses who have expertise in service learning, civic engagement, and a clear understanding of RFI's vision, mission and core values. The panel will prioritize applications for funding based upon the selection criteria provided in Section V of this RFP. Final selections will be made by the RFI Executive Director.
Recipients are expected to participate in a working group composed of RFI Teaching & Engagement award recipients. It is anticipated that group will gather at least once a year to share 'best practices' around innovative and creative processes and strategies unique to engaged teaching.
Recipients are expected to demonstrate impact by sharing their engaged teaching/research at a number of venues including conferences, such as the Rural Futures Conference, and in refereed publications. In addition, the PI is expected to work with both the RFI Director of Competitive Awards and the RFI Director of Communications on external communications opportunities (white papers, interviews, recorded presentation, lecture, webinar, etc.) to share project results/findings with the broader RFI audience.
A final report is required and due to RFI no later than one month following the conclusion of funding.
The project should be completed within 24 months and extensions are discouraged and will only be considered for extreme circumstances (6 months maximum).
Funds may be used for wages and salaries of faculty and staff (provided the award is not used to generate salary savings*), graduate and undergraduate students and other key personnel, as well as operating expenses such as databases, supplies and travel that are directly related to the project.
The project description is limited to three single-spaced pages, using Times New Roman (or similar) 11-point font and one-inch borders in a PDF format. The project description should describe the proposed program/project/course(s) as it relates to one or more of the following three focus areas, clearly addressing the issues listed in the area below that will be the focus of the project. The plan must include a project timeline.
Community partnerships including the role of community representatives in the design and implementation of the program/project/course(s).
Note: References cited in Project Description are included in the three-page limit and should conform to an accepted journal format.