Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. (WRP), the federally recognized state rural development council in the National Rural Development Partnership, has been awarded a $100,000 participation grant and a position in the At-Large Network of the multi-year Rural People, Rural Policy Initiative of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek, MI.

The grant comes with a five-year commitment to the nationwide initiative by WRP board members Bonnie J. Peterson of rural Oakdale and Connie Coley Loden of Wisconsin Rapids. Peterson is currently serving as President of WRP, is a board member of Juneau County Economic Development Corporation, serves on the economic development/tourism committee of the Southwest Wisconsin International Trade, Business and Economic Development Council (ITBEC), and operates a freelance writing and marketing business. Loden is Executive Director of Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance and is also an internationally recognized professional in community economic development and leadership serving as Vice President of the international Community Development Society. Both women are Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program alumnae.

The Rural People, Rural Policy Initiative consists of one At-Large Network and four Regional Networks (Mid-South Region, Southwest Region, Central Appalachia Region, and Midwest/Great Plains Region). Each network seeks to build a collaborative national network of rural organizations and service groups working on a variety of economic and social issues. The Initiative began in 2006 with the initial participation of 24 organizations, partnerships, and alliances. As network members are added over the life of the program, the Rural People, Rural Policy Initiative will grow to a critical mass of rural groups and people with the skills to influence policies that impact the overall social and economic health of rural America.

"Because of its diversity in interests and economy, rural America has lacked the ability to present a strong voice in the halls of public policy making," said Kelly Haverkampf, WRP executive director. "As we work to change this situation, in 2006 Wisconsin Rural Partners added 'voice' to its mission. The commitment provided by Kellogg's Rural People, Rural Policy program is much-needed institutional support that will allow us to strengthen that voice nationwide. I am thrilled that WRP leaders have been chosen to participate."

"The opportunity to learn from and share our experiences with other rural development professionals is invaluable in bringing innovation and new ideas to our rural communities. This is necessary to assist in dealing with the rapidly changing economy and landscape in rural communities. We are honored to be chosen to represent Wisconsin and connect with other rural development leaders across the US in this national network," Loden commented.

"This is a very exciting and innovative effort," added Peterson. "We know from experience within Wisconsin Rural Partners and the National Rural Development Partnership just how much rural communities and organizations stand to gain from creating and sustaining networks. Rural People, Rural Policy is a systems-change approach that recognizes the broad diversity of rural America and focuses on building those relationships that will create leverage points within the policy arena."

The W. K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 "to help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations."

Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, chartered to pursue an educational mission dedicated to building collaborative partnerships across the public and private sectors for the benefit of rural Wisconsin. The mission of Wisconsin Rural Partners is to build networks, leadership and voice for rural Wisconsin.