Field reflection: Home Solutions for Global Concerns

by Stuty Maskey 04/07/2012 My work, in broad sense, requires me to connect rural economy to the market system. Recently I was out in a field trip assessing the capacity to up-scale smallholder businesses dependent on forest resources. My trip got extended by a day due to lack of transportation to return home and I decided Read More …

ICRPS 2012: Return to Montréal

by Bill Reimer 06/07/2012 Over the 14 days of the summer school we have traveled almost 1500 km; taken 14 excursions; met 23 policy analysts, practitioners, and rural leaders; heard from 10 international scholars; and produced six reports on topics such as food, energy, inequality, natural resources, and regional development. These reports will form the Read More …

ICRPS 2012: July 4th US Independence day (and presentations too)

by Oriol Forcada 04/07/2012 July 4th, Independence day. Shame you missed the fireworks but I missed the eurocup final and I don’t regret it cause it has been real fun being here. So, today is our “Presentation day” and we will be seeing what everybody’s work has turned out. Presentations: Food started the conference – Read More …

ICRPS 2012: Renewable Energy and Contemporary Art in Baie-des-sables

by Eric Marr, 03/07/2012 Day 11 began with an early morning bus ride from Rimouski to Baie-des-sables located along the coastof the Gulf of St.Lawrence. It was immediately apparent that the long days were catching up with participants which made for an unusually quiet group; at least until dinner. The purpose of the excursion was to visit a Read More …

Recently Read: The US Meat Consumption in Numbers

by the editors, 03/07/2012 Recently read is a weekly column where we share some of the links we have come across during the week that we think might interest you. National Public Radio (NPR) posted an interesting article on the US meat consumption, and the numbers behind it.  Is it really sustainable? The Underside of “Green” Transactions A New Read More …

ICRPS 2012: Food For Thought

by Shelby Clark 01/07/2012 Lots of food for thought today. Pierre Roberge from Developement Economique Canada filled us in on the responsibilities of Federal policy relative to Quebec policy. Slowly, a picture is emerging of community and economic development in Quebec and Canada. Rurality—and the maintenance of Quebecois culture–seems central to the policy decision making Read More …

ICRPS 2012: The Summer Institute Meets A Rural Agent in Bas Saint-Laurent

by Connor Wall, 30/06/2012 Day Eight of ICRPS marked the beginning of the second half of the Summer Institute, and our first full day in Rimouski, a small city with lovely views of the St. Lawrence River. We started with an introduction to the Bas Saint-Laurent region, which has seen several twists of Canadian rural policy, with the government Read More …