|
This is the second edition of Just in Time Research,
a University of Minnesota publication designed to provide
timely, research-based articles to Minnesota policymakers.
This edition includes research and recommendations related to
issues that are critical to the resilience and vitality of
Minnesota’s communities.
The overall theme, Building Resilient Communities, grew from
a scan of several recent reports and various listening
sessions developed and conducted by several public and
nonprofit Minnesota organizations. Other sources for the
theme included studies done by the University of Minnesota
faculty and attention to priorities set by the University of
Minnesota Extension Service. The papers for this volume were
chosen based on their relevance to the theme.
This year’s theme, Building Resilient Communities,
deliberately crosses a broad spectrum of community topics
including housing, community and economic development,
immigrants and minority populations, and children and youth.
The articles explore areas of interest and concern and make
recommendations in the context of resilience being the
capacity to manage internal and external changes both
efficiently and effectively, capitalizing on assets and
enduring strengths while serving the public interest.
We are fortunate to include an introductory piece by Dr.
Cornelia Butler Flora, formerly Senior Fellow and holder of
the College of Agriculture Endowed Chair in Sustainable
Systems at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Flora is Director
of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development,
Iowa State University. Her work on the changes facing
communities and the forms of capital important to community
development apply to rural, urban, and suburban communities
of all types. Dr. Flora’s introduction provides a
framework for further consideration of the questions,
findings, and recommendations appearing in the articles of
this publication.
The Just in Time Research project is a joint effort
of the university’s Extension Service and Hubert H.
Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, both of which provided
substantial support for this project. Funded by the Extension
Service, this project builds on collegiate collaborative
efforts and interdisciplinary work encouraged and supported
by the Extension Service in the interests of outreach and
enhancing the future of Minnesota’s communities.
We encourage you to contact any of the authors should you
want more information on any of the topics or policy
implications under consideration. We also invite you to
contact the University of Minnesota Extension Service or the
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs with any
questions, comments, or interest in programs or further
studies on these or related topics.
Barbara A. Warren
Collegiate Liaison and Project Director
University of Minnesota Extension Service
and the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
|
