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RURAL DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP NETWORK

RDLN Leaders and Projects

The Following People have participated in RDLN's field work and study program. Their Sponsoring Organizations, Field Projects and Advisors are noted.

	MIKE ACOSTA - Crystal City, TX Sponsoring Organization: Community Council of Southwest Texas Field Project: To develop a truckers cooperative in Southwest Texas. Field Advisor: Jorge Botello
	MARIA DELPILAR (Mapy) ALVAREZ - Accokeek, MD Sponsoring Organization: Rural Coalition Field Project: working with former farmworkers in Virginia to increase access to US Department of Agriculture resources
	CLEO ASKEW - Epes, AL Sponsoring Organization: Panola Land Buying Association Housing Development Corporation and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Field Project: To lead three low-income housing development efforts in Alabama. Field Advisor: John Zippert, Federation of Southern Cooperatives Study Advisors: Abigail Turner, Alabama Legal Services, and Harriet Macklin, Housing Assistance Council.
	JAMES BANKS - Visalia, CA Sponsoring Organization: Self -Help Enterprises Field Project: To assist revitalization of a local community organization in Allensworth, a town founded by a former slave, complete renovation of a community center, and advocate for the town to be part of a CDBG target area. Field Adviser: Bob Marshall Study Advisors: Alexander Lark and Russell Fey, California State University
	MARTHA BEATTY - Raeford, NC Sponsoring Organization: North Carolina Hunger Network Field Project: To establish a supervised youth center in Raeford. Field Advisor: Shirley McClain
	MINNIE BOMMER - Covington, TN Sponsoring Organization: Community Resource Group Field Project: To launch a pregnancy prevention program offering positive options for the future among African-American girls in a tri-county area. Field Advisor: Sam Pieh Study Advisors: Barbara Clinton, Vanderbilt University, and Levi Jones, Tennessee State University
	BEVERLY BROWN - Sunny Valley, OR Sponsoring Organization: Highlander Center Field Project: To develop a community education center, The Jefferson Center, in an area populated by displaced timber workers. Field Advisors: Candy Carawan, Paul deLeon and Nina Reining Study Advisors: Louise P. Fortmann and Nancy Lee Pelosa, University of California at Berkeley Note: Beverly Brown is the author of In Timber Country
	LETICIA CARREON-MILLIGAN - Albuquerque, NM (now Arvado, CO) Sponsoring Organization: Housing Assistance Council Field Project: Internship in housing development. Field Advisor: Anselmo Telles Study Advisor: Maria Varela, University of New Mexico
	FRANCISCA CAVAZOS - Phoenix, AZ Sponsoring Organization: Maricopa County Organizing Project Field Project: Community education among farmworkers and the general public in immigration and pesticides. Field Advisor: Lupe Sanchez and Nadine Wettstein. Study Advisors: Nadine Wettstein and Marjorie Zatz, Arizona State University, and Jose Bracamonte, Attorney
	MONICA CAYE - Elmo, MT Sponsoring Organization: Ktunaxa Community Development Corporation Field Project: To plan a Kiyi youth trail riding program and possible boarding school, which will train young people in the basics of horsemanship and develop a facility for tourists.
	LEON CLARK - West Helena, AR Sponsoring Organization: Boys, Girls, Adults Community Development Center Field Project: To develop a youth entrepreneurship program in the Arkansas Delta. Field Advisor: Carrie Johnson and Greg Davis Study Advisors: George Herts, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Irene Lee, Fred Lee
	MICHELLE COLE - Aliceville, AL Sponsoring Organization: Cole Evangelical Ministries Field Project:To establish a residential program for people with special needs.
	MEREDITH (COLEMAN) MCGEE - Jackson, MS Sponsoring Organization: Southern Echo Field Project: Training on redistricting for people in the Mississippi Delta. Field Advisor: Melbah Smith
	EVELYN CONLEY - Tahlequah, OK Sponsoring Organization: Cherokee Nation Field Project: Development of a community development support center, with special emphasis on woman's crafts.
	HECTOR CORREA - Canovanas, P.R. Sponsoring Organization: Institute for Community Development Field Project: To develop appropriate technology for small scale agriculture and train poor landowners in using this technology. Field Advisor: Wilhelmina Perry Study Advisor: Antonia Pantoja and Wilhelmina Perry, Institute for Community Development, and Raphael A. Rios, University of Puerto Rico
	MAYA CROOKS - Jackson, MS Sponsoring Organization: Mississippi Association of Cooperatives Field Project: Organizing one or more health fairs to promote preventive practices, with screenings and promotion of healthy behavior among Mississippi families.
	TRINA CUNNINGHAM - Greenville, CA Sponsoring Organization: Maidu Summit Group Field Project: Land acquisition and developing tribal infrastructure Field Advisor: Jonathan Freeman, Seventh Generation Fund Study Advisor: Beth Rose Middleton, Native American Studies, University of California Davis
	MEREDITH DEAN - Floyd, VA Sponsoring Organization: Appalachian People's Service Organization Field Project: To use video training for young people as a tool for leadership development and community development. Field Advisor: Jerry Scheeler, Virginia Polytechnic University, and Terry Robbins, Community Video Productions Study Advisor: Jean H. Speer, Virginia Polytechnic University, and the Reverend Roderick Sinclair, Radford University
	HECTOR DeLEON - Caldwell, ID Sponsoring Organization: Idaho Migrant Council Field Project: To start a new project, Salud y Provecho, to identify and address special needs of the Hispanic population (especially farmworkers) in Idaho in relation to the mental health delivery system. Field Advisor: Rosie Reilly, Nampa School District Study Advisors: Dick Baker, Boise State University, and Al Sanchez, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
	KAREN DERRY - Happy Camp, CA Sponsoring Organization: Karuk Community Development Corporation. Field Project: To strengthen health care delivery in the Happy Camp area. Field Advisor: Suzanne Burcell and Greg Gehr Study Advisors: Suzanne Burcell, Karuk Community Development Corporation, and Mike Trombetta, Office Outfitters
	JORGE DIAZ - Alexandria, VA Sponsoring Organization: Housing Assistance Council Field Project: Development and testing of a new tool to identify qualified low-income borrowers. Field Advisor: Jonathan Jones Study Advisors: Janet Krofta, Housing Assistance Council, and Virginia Spencer, the Urban Institute
	EMMA DIXON - Mandeville, LA Sponsoring Organization: Third Baptist Disrict Field Project: Financial literacy with children and adults, including education on home ownership and credit worthiness.
	CYNTHIA ELLIS - Belize, Central America Sponsoring Organization: Belize Rural Women's Association and Agricultural Missions Field Project: Culturally based economic development among poor women in Southern Belize. Field Advisor: Billie Jean Young, Jackson State University Study Advisors: Monroe Edmondson and Judy Maxwell, Tulane University
	LILLIE FIELDS - Selma, AL Sponsoring Organization: National Museum for Voting Rights Field Project: To establish a residential facility for young men coming out of prison and those at-risk.
	OLETA FITZGERALD - Madison, MS Sponsoring Organization: Southern Rural Black Women's Initiative (SRBWI) Field Project: Forming a food hub in the Mississippi Delta with women farmers
	HUMBERTO FUENTES - Nampa, ID Sponsoring Organization: Idaho Migrant Council Field Project: To convert a former farm labor camp into a farmworker-owned single family and single unit housing, with community programs, especially business development efforts, housed there also. Field Advisor: Rudy Peña. Idaho Hispanic Commission Study Advisors: Tom Dennison, Brevard Community College, and Jim Lanahan, Social Health Services.
	YOLANDA GARIBAY - Kelseyville, CA Sponsoring Organization: Big Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians Field Project: Developing an IDA program for home ownership
	SCHERRI GREENE - Lapwai, ID Sponsoring Organization: ONABEN (TBC) Field Project:To assist salmon fishers in developing a processing plant and to organize a regional fair of native food.
	JACK GUILLEBEAUX - Montgomery, AL Sponsoring Organization: Federation of Child Care Center of Alabama (FOCAL) Field Project: To work against internalized oppression, developing materials and testing them among young people in Lowdnes County. Field Advisor: Sophia Bracy-Harris Study Advisors: Richard Wells, University of South Alabama, Emma Norris, Troy State University, Valerie Batts, Virginia Commonwealth University Note: Author of More is Caught Than Taught.
	YVONNE HAMPTON - Butler, AL Sponsoring Organization: Southern Rural Women's Network Field Project: To work with African-American women craft producers and small farmers to further economic development in Alabama. Field Advisor: Clark Arringon, Industrial Cooperative Association Study Advisors: Billie Jean Young and Sharon Miles, Southern Rural Women's Network
	LINDA HEDSTROM - Lakeport, CA Sponsoring Organizations: Rural Communities Housing Development Corporation and California Human Development Corporation Field Project: To develop a farmworker housing project in Lake County. Field Advisors: Tom MonPere, Communities Housing Development Corporation, Tony Silva, California Human Development Corporation Study Advisors: Patricia Harrison, University of California, and Ron Javor, California Department of Housing and Community Development
	GERI HEWANKORN - Big Arm, MT Sponsoring Organization: Ktunaxa Community Development Corporation Field Project: To develop a town center as a focal point for tribal services and businesses, as well as a place for visitors to shop and to learn about the tribe.
	SARAH HIDALGO-COOK - Crystal City, TX Sponsoring Organization: Community Council of Southwest Texas Field Project: To help streamline her CAP agency and redirect it toward long-term strategies. Field Advisor: Jorge Botella, Executive Director Study Advisor: Ismael Sosa, President of Southwest Texas Community College
	ROSE HILL - Selma, AL Sponsoring Organization: Coalition of Alabamians for Education Reform (CARE) Field Project: To work with parents to advocate for two new curriculum components in the public schools: in black history and in vocational education (including farming) and economic awareness.
	THERESA ISLEY - Siler City, NC Sponsoring Organization: Sanford Arts Coalition, NC Field Project: Multicultural Arts Program: Youth and Drama
	TONY JACK - Kelseyville, CA Sponsoring Organization: Big Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians Field Project: Developing a charter school with a culturally appropriate curriculum
	ROBERT JACKSON - Marks, MS Sponsoring Organization: Mississippi Action for Community Education Field Project: Economic development planning in Quitman County. Field Advisor: Larry Farmer, Mississippi Action for Community Education, and John Zippert, Federation of Southern Cooperatives Study Advisors: Ronald Swager, University of Southern Mississippi, and Ronald Love, Mississippi State Department of Education
	NKWANDA JAH - Gainesville, FL Sponsoring Organization: Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. and Three Rivers Legal Services Field Project: To develop new multipurpose centers for service delivery and project development in Alachua County Field Advisors: - Oscar Harris, Central Florida Community Action Agency, and Allison Thomson, Three Rivers Legal Services Study Advisors: Ruth Johnson, Educator
	EARNEST JOHNSON - Livingston, AL Sponsoring Organization: Federation of Southern Cooperatives Field Project: To strengthen membership and increase assets of three low-income credit unions in the South. Field Advisor: John Zippert Study Advisor: Karl Wright, South Carolina State University, and John Zippert
	C.J. JONES - Braxton, MS Sponsoring Organization: The Mendenhall Ministries Field Project: To develop a plan for low-income housing, including building equity among low-income people. Field Advisor: Curtis Jordan, Community Resource Group Study Advisor: Robert Young, Mississippi Valley State University, Suzanne Griggins, Kathryn Weathersby, Jackson State University
	CAROL JORGENSEN - Juneau, AK Sponsoring Organization: Native American Fish & Wildlife Society/Alaska Region Field Project: To plan for re-acquisition of land formerly owned by her clan in order to establish a cultural center and economic base for the clan. Field Advisor: Michele Davis, Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Study Advisors: Robert F. Schoeder, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Robert Thorton, University of Alaska, and Barbara Cadiente-Nelson, Clan member
	SYLVIA JOYNER - Galveston, TX
	CAROL JUDY - Clairfield, TN Sponsoring Organization: Appalachian Based Community Development Education (ABCDE) Field Project: To focus on planning an outdoor classroom learning center using permaculture processes and working with other organizations and universities.
	BIRGIL KILLS STRAIGHT - Kyle, SD Sponsoring Organization: First Nations Financial Project Field Project: To develop the Makoce Institute, growing organic food for local organizations. Field Advisor: Rebecca Adamson Study Advisor: Robert Hunter, University of Colorado
	SUZANNE MARIE KINKADE - Pablo, MT Sponsoring Organization: Salish Kootenai College Field Project: To create a web community among the seven tribes in Montana for marketing and educational purposes.
	WINONA LaDUKE - White Earth, MN Sponsoring Organization: Seventh Generation Fund Field Project: To strengthen organizational structure of a women's marketing collective and to increase its sales of wild rice. Field Advisor: Jacques Saronde Study Advisors: Ted Jojola, University of New Mexico, Burt Davenport, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, and Ward Churchill, University of Colorado
	ANITA LaRAN - Mora, NM Sponsoring Organization: Helping Hands, Inc. Field Project: To form a support group for women in the Mora area and to establish a community kitchen so that women may prepare food for commercial purposes. Field Advisor: Maria Varela, Rural Resources Study Advisors: Horacio Trujillo and Carlos Miera, Consultants, and Cruz Torres, University of Texas
	NAIDA LEFTHAND - Polson, MT Sponsoring Organization: Ktunaxa Community Development Corporation Field Project: To research and disseminate information about traditional plants that have edible, medoicinal, or other uses and work toward starting a nursery / landscaping business, using native plants.
	ANGIE MAIN - Havre, MT Field Project: To launch a Native American Lending Consortium for home mortgages on reservations.
	SHIRLEY McCLAIN - Holly Springs, NC Sponsoring Organization: North Carolina Hunger Project Field Project: To develop a community garden as part of an economic development plan, and produce a manual. Field Advisor: Rich Bell, SEEDS Study Advisors: Barbara Clawson, North Carolina Hunger Network, and Debbie Warren, Southern Rural Development Initiatives Video on Shirley's Life: link
	ZANA MCDONALD - Browning, MT Sponsoring Organization: Blackfeet Tribal Business Information Center Field Project: To start a microlending program and establish a business incubator for fledgeling ventures by tribal members.
	MARIA MOREIRA- Lancaster, MA Sponsoring Organization: Heifer Project Field Project: Marketing with immigrant Hmong farmers Field Advisors: Allison Cohen and Lindsay Ketchel, Heifer International. Study Advisor: Frank Mangan, University of Massachusettes, Amherst.
	TIRSO MORENO - Apopka, FL Sponsoring Organization: Florida Association of Farmworkers Field Project: To research the effect of globalization on citrus workers in Florida and Brazil and to reduce the negative impact of impending mechanization on these workers.
	JULIE MOSS - Tahlequah, OK Sponsoring Organization: The Cherokee Nation Field Project: To launch a microlending program for the Cherokee Nation. Field Advisor: Iola Hayden, Oklahomans for Indian Opportunity Study Advisors: Richard Taub, University of Chicago, Marvin Jones, Ron Qualls & Associates, and Donald Voth, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
	KATHLEEN MURRAY (SUPERNAW) - Tulsa, OK Sponsoring Organization: Delaware tribe of Western Oklahoma Field Project: To develop a land acquisition plan for the Delaware Tribe. Field Advisor: Paul Fischer, ASCOG Study Advisors: Kathy Hale, University of Oklahoma, and David Hale, Delaware Tribe
	CLARISSA NICHOLS - Elmo, MT Sponsoring Organization: Ktunaxa Community Development Corporation Field Project: To organize Kootenai artists, help market their work, and perhaps form a cooperative and open a local store.
	SHIRLEY ORTEGA - Alamosa, CO Sponsoring Organization: Saquache County Community Council Field Project: To strengthen a women's craft group, Artes del Valle, which produces crafts and other items, relying heavily on traditional embroidery and weaving. Field Advisor: Sally Harper Beach, Economic Development Consultant Study Advisors: Kathleen Figgen, Karen Loveland, Adams State College
	DIANE PADILLA - Atwater, CA Sponsoring Organization: Merced County of Strategic and Economic Development and Merced County Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce. Field Project: To strengthen the administration of the Merced County Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce Field Advisors: Karen Prentiss, Merced County Deputy Administrator and Leon Martinez, Merced County Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce
	ALICE PARIS - Tuskegee, AL Sponsoring Organization: Federation of Southern Cooperatives Field Project: To develop a model for women workers and plan five new business ventures with the Freedom Quilting Bee Field Advisors -Ralph Paige Study Advisors: Ntam Baharayni and Bob Zabawa, Tuskegee Institute
	EDITH RICHARDSON - South Berwick, ME Sponsoring Organization: Maine Coalition for Food Securiity Field Project: To organize hungry people in Southern Maine through capacity building and leadership development, starting a community garden, perhaps selling produce, and even developing analysis and advocacy related to hunger.
	EUNIEKA ROGERS - Furman, AL Sponsoring Organization: Black Freedmen’s Living Historical Farm for Children Field Project: Developing sustainable agricultural and architectural systems
	MARILYN SAVAGE - Ft. Yukon, AK Sponsoring Organization: Gwandak Public Broadcasting, Inc. Field Project: To develop programming for a new community radio station in this remote area, with an emphasis on preserving native culture and language. Field Advisors: Barry Wallis, Phyllis Fast, Lael Morgan Study Advisors: Lael Morgan, University of Alaska, and Phyllis Fast, graduate student
	DOROTHY GRADY-SCARBROUGH - Shelby, MS Sponsoring Organization: Mississippians Engaged in Greener Agriculture (MEGA) Field Project: nutrition education with youth and parents while training young people in farming
	SHIRLEY SHERROD - Albany, GA Sponsoring Organization: Federation of Southern Cooperatives Field Project: To develop a resource center for small farmers in southwestern Georgia. Field Advisor: Ralph Paige Study Advisor: Walter Burgess and Henry Gilmore, Albany State College
	BEN TAFOYA -Taos, NM Sponsoring Organization: Rio Grande Center Field Project: To develop a system for banking of water rights and to clarify ownership of rights. Field Advisor: Art Estrada Study Advisors: Jose Rodriguez, University of New Mexico and Fred Waltz, Northern New Mexico Legal Services
	CHUKOU THAO - Fresno, CA Sponsoring Organization: Small Farm Resource and Training Center Field Project: To strengthen local markets for produce grown by Hmong farmers.
	MILY TREVINO-SAUCEDA - Pomona, CA Sponsoring Organizations: California Rural Legal Assistance and CRLA Foundation Field Project: To organize farmworker women on a statewide basis and to develop a model training and leadership development program for farmworker women Field Advisors - Grizelle Apodaca, Oxfam America, and Emma Lechuga, Somos Hermanas Unidas Study Advisors: Devra Weber, University of California at Riverside, and David Serena
	TRUONG DANG KHOA - Hue, Vietnam Sponsoring Organization: - Nordic Assistance to Vietnam Field Project: To form a network of organizers in the A Luoi district. Field Advisor: Harek Aspenes
	ARLENE VALDEZ - Los Ojos, NM Sponsoring Organization: Ganados del valle Field Project: To explore a regional economic development strategy with three villages in northern New Mexico: Los Ojos, Cahilan, and Vallecitos
	SHOUA VANG - Hugo, MN Sponsoring Organization: Hmong/Highlander Development Fund/Indo-China Resource Action Center Field Project: To increase markets for an extended family farm cooperative and research possibility of use of Laotian agricultural practices in Minnesota. Field Advisor: Carol Leviton Study Advisor: Edgar Persons, University of Minnesota
	TERI VAUTRIN - Gate City, VA Sponsoring Organization: Dungannon Development Commission Field Project: To develop new support systems for non-traditional women learners. Field Advisor: Anne Leibig and Helen Lewis, Highlander Center Study Advisors: Helen Lewis and Anne Leibig, Clinch River Education Center
	LYDIA VILLANUEVA - Hereford, TX Sponsoring Organization: CASA (Communities Assuring a Sustainable Agriculture) del Llano Field Project: Youth food survey leading to the formation of a food policy council
	NANCY WARNEKE - Kalispell, MT Sponsoring Organization: Salish Kootenai College Field Project: To launch a revolving loan fund for business development on the Flathead Reservation. Field Advisor: Gerald Sherman, Four Tmes Foundation, Study Advisors: Michele Lansdowne and Gerald Sherman
	LILLIE WEBB - Sparta, GA Sponsoring Organization: Center for Community Development Field Project: To develop a microenterprise program, including training for community residents and development of new businesses.
	JADINE WHITAKER - St. Louis, MO Sponsoring Organization: Institute for Community Education & Training Field Project: Capacity building among low-income women. Field Advisor: Gardenia White Study Advisors: Alice Jacobson, Associate Provost College of Charleston
	DARNELLA BURKETT WINSTON - Lorman, MS Sponsoring Organization: Mississippi Association of Cooperatives Field Project: Farm-to-School Marketing, Nutrition Education, and Farm Safety in the Delta
	ANNIE WRIGHT (HUFF)- Marvell, AR Sponsoring Organization: Boys, Girls, Adults Community Development Center Field Project: To launch a peer tutorial program in the public schools. The Leader was elected first African-American president of the Marvell Board of Education while in the program Field Advisor: Beatrice Clark Shelby Study Advisors: George Herts, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Ruth Densen, Marvell School District
	GAYLE ZEPEDA - Ukiah, CA Sponsoring Organization: Norther Circle Indian Housing Authority Field Project: To develop a statewide native women's health leadership program, Hinthil Mathas Organizing for Health(HMOH).

Note: Advisors are affiliated with Sponsoring Organization if no other organization is listed.

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