Rural Community
Economic Development
Business Development
Opportunity International Nicaragua. 2011. Opportunity International Nicaragua (OIN) is a nonprofit organization working to blend community economic development strategies with microfinance strategies to benefit the poorest of the poor in Nicaragua. As part of their work, OIN has incubated a value-added agricultural enterprise based on yucca. OIN asked Yellow Wood Associates to think with them about how the phases in the development of this enterprise might be structured so that, over the next 20 years, it is transformed from a program of OIN to a profitable self-standing business that has not lost its focus on serving the poorest of the poor and their communities. Yellow Wood produced a report based on best practices gleaned from reviews of literature and interviews with several practitioners of international development that defined four phases in the transition from incubation to majority local ownership and addressed the evolution of six key enterprise characteristics: Ownership and Structure; Investment and Financing; Governance and Distribution of Benefits; Supply Management and Farmer Relations; Management and Staffing; and Profitability, Products, and Markets.
Deep Root. 2005 – 2006. Yellow Wood Associates conducted market research with current buyers, supermarket chains, food coops and natural food stores, institutions, wholesalers/distributors, and organic processors to learn about the market for organic produce at these establishments. Yellow Wood also reviewed Deep Root operations.
Vermont Soy. January – June 2005. Yellow Wood conducted research to analyze the potential market for organic soymilk produced in Vermont from soybeans grown locally. Yellow Wood researched soy beverage trends, surveyed other soymilk producers, and interviewed potential buyers including distributors, supermarkets, food cooperative and natural food stores, colleges and universities, and restaurants. Yellow Wood also analyzed the economic feasibility of soybean production in Vermont.
Cooperative Cleaning Business. July - September 2000. Yellow Wood defined a business concept and
conducted preliminary research for a cooperative cleaning business that used non-toxic products and techniques.
Contact Don Jamison, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, 33 Main Street, PO Box 546, Burlington, VT 05402,
(802) 861-6611.
Wooden Windows Restoration Project. November 1999 - January 2000. Yellow Wood assisted in
developing cooperative methods for low income people to estimate the demand for a cooperative specializing
in the restoration and maintenance of wooden windows. Yellow Wood analyzed secondary data, conducted key
informant interviews, and used census data. Contact Don Jamison, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, 33
Main Street, PO Box 546, Burlington, VT 05402, (802) 861-6611.
Northern Community Investment Corporation Call Center. January - May 1998. Yellow Wood worked with
the Northern Community Investment Corporation and the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund to identify opportunities
for establishing a telecommunications call center employing welfare-to-work individuals in Northeast Kingdom
of Vermont. YWA assessed the market demand for call center services, sampling a core group of Vermont-based
direct market firms, chambers of commerce, colleges, banks, cable television firms, real estate firms,
financial service providers and insurance firms. The project resulted in preliminary estimates of the
capital investment needed for start-up, and operating costs for the call center. Contact Paul Denton,
Northern Community Investment Corporation, 347 Portland Street, PO Box 904, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819,
(802) 748-5101.
"You were able to take an idea and define it. Then when conditions changed
and new information developed you were able to adapt mid-project."
- Wayne Fawbush,Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
"As you know we wanted to pick up on your work to do the business plan ourselves
because of limited budget. We were able to do this without much back-and-forth between us because
of the clarity and sharp focus of your study. It was a pleasure working with you."
-Paul Denton, Northern Community Investment Corporation
Research
Vermont Environmental Consortium. 2009 - 2010.
Yellow Wood was engaged by the Vermont Environmental Consortium (VEC) to define Vermont’s environmental sector, survey the sector to improve the understanding of the workforce education and training needs of these firms and survey schools, organizations and businesses providing environmental education and training in Vermont. Survey results from over 250 firms in Vermont’s environmental sector and 100 education and training providers highlighted the fit or lack thereof between the needs and the education and training programs and resources available in Vermont and have supplied important baseline information identifying opportunities, challenges and gaps that can be filled in Vermont’s green economy.
U.S. Endowment for Forests and Communities. 2009.
Shanna Ratner and Susanne Moser, PhD worked together to explore the issue of community resilience from the perspective of literature and key informant interviews with 25 rural development practitioners from around the country. They identified stages of community resilience and investigated the role of institutions, policies, leadership and culture in creating the capacity for resilient response to stressors. The relationship between community wealth and community resilience was also explored. The final report can be found at http://www.usendowment.org/communityresilience.html. Appendices contain tools, selected research, an essay on the historical evolution and meaning of the concept of resilience, and a list of interviewees.
America’s Byways Resource Center. 2006-2008. Yellow Wood Associates worked with the America’s Byways Resource Center to develop a tool to measure the economic impact of scenic byways and All-American Roads. This work involved engaging a steering committee, determining the specific needs of byway organizations regarding economic impact data and techniques for estimating the economic impacts associated with individual byways, surveying the byways community to identify existing data collection/analysis models in use for estimating economic impacts or conducting related analyses, determining the feasibility of creating a tool for collecting and analyzing data that is simple to use and effective for grassroots community groups with limited resources, and then developing that tool for byway organization use.
Derby Line, Vermont. 2007. Yellow Wood Associates was charged with helping the Village of Derby Line to better understand the potential economic, fiscal and quality of life impacts of a proposed border station expansion along the U.S./Canadian border. Impacts explored included real estate, public safety, infrastructure, housing, education, noise, air pollution, and others. As part of this study, Yellow Wood also provided some input on potential mitigation measures.
Massachusetts Trust for Public Land. 2006 - 2007.
Yellow Wood Associates partnered with Mt. Auburn Associates to study the impacts of Massachusetts parks, quantifying the dollar value of benefits provided, including providing raw materials, providing ecosystem services, contributing to youth development, improving public health, serving as a laboratory, increasing property values and stimulating real estate investment, enhancing quality of life, stimulating tourism, supporting the outdoor recreation industry, sustaining resource-based industries, and strengthening lagging communities. This resulted in a report entitled Parks and Beaches: Common Cents for the Common Wealth, which can be found at http://www.conservationandrecreationcampaign.org/docs/Color_CRCBrochure_022007.pdf
Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce. September 1995 - November 2003. Yellow Wood worked
with the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce to identify seven key sectors – Industry, Tourism,
Real Estate, Cultural Affairs, Retail, Financial and Professional Services, and International Border
Businesses – of Clinton County which are impacted economically by its proximity to, and relationships
with, Canada. YWA developed methods for primary data collection to measure impacts in each sector and
has conducted this study every two years since 1994. The 2000 study saw the addition of the Health Care
Sector. Contact Garry Douglas, Executive Director, Plattsburgh and North Country Chamber of Commerce,
PO Box 310, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, (518) 563-1000.
"The [original] report has been nothing less than a clarion call to all
public and private decision makers ...and is sure to impact many future decisions and policies.
The [original] report is already proving to be an effective marketing tool to Canadian companies
and investors. Thank you again for your diligent, considered, informed and professional role in
making this study such a quality, credible product."
- Garry Douglas, Executive Director, Plattsburgh-North
Country Chamber of Commerce
Island Pond Woodworkers Alliance. September 2001 - February 2002. This project consisted of two
phases, the first identifed a mix of possible products that the former Ethan Allen employee group would be
able to produce given their skills, and knowledge base, opportunities for additional training, and an array
of business/marketing strategies for each product group. Phase two produced a model for a profitable business.
The Island Pond Woodworkers were able to break ground on their own factory, having multiple orders in hand.
Yellow Wood teamed with Zeltsman Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in small business management,
and, Kokkinis & Associates, a financial advisory firm based in New York City , whose primary focus is
restructuring trouble manufacturing firms. Contact: Don Jamison, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, 33
Main Street, PO Box 546, Burlington, VT 05402, (802) 861-6611.
Vermont Forum on Sprawl. May - August 2001. Yellow Wood researched and developed the content for
a Vermont Forum on Sprawl publication, Community Investments in Smart Growth – A Decision-Maker’s Guide,
on municipal investing for smart growth. Research included “smart growth” approaches to investments in
public infrastructure, including mobility and roads, sewer and water lines, building location, downtown
and village centers, and open space. The work identified tools, models, and resources available to Vermont
towns and incorporated Vermont examples of “smart growth” development. Contact: Beth Humstone, Executive
Director, Vermont Forum on Sprawl, 110 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401, (802) 864-6310.
Lake Champlain Byways. February - September 1999. Yellow Wood provided an inventory and assessment
of hiking and walking resources in the Lake Champlain Basin . The work was undertaken as part of a bi-state
Lake Champlain Byways Management Plan, and produced a database and maps with centralized information on hiking
and walking resources in shoreline towns in the Lake Champlain Region. A brochure was developed for public
distribution. The Lake Champlain Byways project was a collaborative effort between three New York Planning
offices (Clinton, Essex and Washington), four Vermont Regional Planning Commissions (Northwest, Chittenden,
Addison and Rutland ), the Adirondack North Country Association, the New York Department of Transportation,
and the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Contact Janet Kennedy, Lake Champlain Byways, 814 Bridge Street,
Crown Point, NY 12928, (518) 597-9660.
Upper Androscoggin River Valley Sustainable Tourism Study. June - October 1996. Yellow Wood worked
with the Appalachian Mountain Club in cooperation with Land Futures and NordicGroup International to assess
the actual and potential contribution of the forestry and tourism industries, and alternative financing
mechanisms for small businesses, in the economy of the Upper Androscoggin River Valley in New Hampshire and
Maine . The project proposed innovative approaches for outdoor/recreational tourism development based on
sustainable use of the forest resources of the area. Contact John Frado, Nordic Group International, 259
Bolton Road, Winchester, NH 03470, (603) 239-4181, or, Marcel Polak, Androscoggin Watershed Council, 113
Main Street, Gorham, NH 03581.
Moriah Neighborhood Based Alliance and Economic Development Zone. May - July 1995. Yellow Wood
worked with the Neighborhood Based Alliance and the Economic Development Zone in Moriah, New York to provide
assistance in community economic development. Tasks included a survey of retail spending by high school and
resident consumers, and business practices of local businesses. The study included analysis of best practices
in elementary education for healthy life styles, use of public access television to improve dissemination
of information in the community, and waterfront revitalization for industrial waterfronts. Contact Marcy
Neville, Coordinator, Moriah Economic Development Zone, 14 Park Place, Port Henry, NY 12974, (518) 546-3606.
"Your understanding of the hurdles to be jumped, enthusiasm for determining
the best solutions, and ability to define workable strategies were enormously helpful to us.
Survey results are well-thumbed and talked about; are and will be very useful to the business
community."
-Marcy Neville, Coordinator, Moriah Economic Development Zone
Rural Women's Health Needs. September 1993 – March 1994. Yellow Wood worked with the Women's Studies
Program and the University of Vermont to assess potential impacts on women of health policy proposals
initiated by the Vermont Health Care Authority. Analysis included the areas of coverage, cost, access,
outcomes and social factors affecting women's health.
Proposal for Snowmobile Industry Research and Development. March - September 1992. Yellow Wood
prepared a successful proposal to the Regional Economic Development Strategy Council of Northern New York
on behalf of the Development Authority of the North Country to study the potential for further development
of the snowmobile industry in Lewis County, New York and surrounding counties. Research included the status
of the industry and defined key issues requiring further research. Contact Robert Juravich, Development
Authority of the North Country, Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601,
(315) 785-2593.
Plainfield: Rural Character in Transition. 1985 - February 1986. Yellow Wood prepared a
socio-economic study of the Town of Plainfield, Vermont, including detailed assessment of the impact
of a proposed highway bypass, village revitalization, and agricultural assessment. The work also
included a fiscal impact study of land use patterns. The study led to formation of the Plainfield
Revitalization Committee and increased activity on the part of the Town Planning Committee. Contact
Avram Patt, Town of Plainfield, West Hill Road, Worcester, VT 05682, (802) 479-1071.
Evaluation
Expanding Sustainable and Community-based Food Systems Project Evaluation. Mar 2008 – July 2010. Yellow Wood Associates is evaluating the second half of the Wallace Center's Expanding Sustainable and Community-based Food Systems project funded by the Kellogg Foundation. The multi-faceted project includes regranting to four organizations involved in food systems work, forming a "good food" value chain network, convening the annual FAS conference, developing indicators of "good food" and more. The evaluation is geared to interactive learning as well as outcomes.
Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County. 2009-present. Yellow Wood is the local evaluator for Workforce Central, an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County and its strategic partners funded by the National Workforce Solutions Fund (NWSF). Workforce Central is one of only two rural initiatives funded by NWSF.
NESARE. 2006-2007. Yellow Wood evaluated the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and its work helping advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. Several years ago, the Northeast region of SARE decided to start using an outcome funding approach to grantmaking, which involves setting goals, creating performance targets and milestones to achieve specific outcomes. Yellow Wood studied all projects funded by NESARE since outcome funding began to determine the success of the projects as well as the success of the outcome funding approach.
Central Appalachian Network. 2008 – 2009. The Central Appalachian Network (CAN) is a group of seven nonprofits in the Central Appalachian states of Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia focused on transforming Central Appalachia’s economy by creating economic opportunities that are environmentally sustainable, building on their social and natural capital, and meeting the needs of the region’s people. Yellow Wood worked with CAN to develop a strategic plan in an effort to clarify their work for at least the next three years through the use of the You Get What You Measure® (YGWYM) process.
Advantage Valley Entrepreneurial Development Collaborative. 2005-2008. Yellow Wood was the local evaluator for the three year Advantage Valley Entrepreneurship Development Collaborative, one of six initiatives in rural entrepreneurship funded by the Kellogg Foundation. We provided You Get What You Measure® and learning coach services locally as well as reporting and contributing to the national evaluation. The Advantage Valley Collaborative used the Entrepreneurial League System® to build a pipeline of entrepreneurs for a 14 county, multi-state region.
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NESARE) Program Outcome Funding. January 2000. Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with NESARE in piloting an outcome-funding approach to grantmaking. The work included two year’s participation in the design process, proposal reviews, interviews with potential grantees, committee work to select grantees, and process documentation.
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. February 1999 - January 2000. Yellow Wood designed a unique
evaluation tool to use with the 23 business groups who received assistance within VSJF’s first two years
of operation. The first function of the tool assesses the development and status of networks between groups
of businesses and their suppliers, employees, product developers, markets, technical assistants, and financiers.
The second function then examines relationships between network building and outcomes in terms of
improvements in job quality, the environment, and the connections between businesses and communities.
Contact Wayne Fawbush, Director, Vermont Sustainable Job Funds, 61 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602,
(802) 828-5320.
Facilitation
Wealth Creation in Rural America. 2008 - present. Yellow Wood Associates is working as a project integrator and thought leader for Wealth Creation in Rural America, a multi-year strategic initiative of the Ford Foundation. Our work involves managing a Working Group of diverse professionals, developing a common vocabulary, co-developing concepts, tools, outreach and presentations and strategizing on implementation. Colleagues in this work include professionals from CFED, RUPRI, MACED, RTS, Shorebank Pacific, Sustainable Food Laboratory, among others. Related publications are available at: www.yellowwood.org/wealthcreation.aspx.
Workshop on Rural Community Economic Development. December 1989. Yellow Wood prepared and
co-presented, with the North Country Economic Research Center of Potsdam College, a two-day workshop
on rural community economic development to leaders in the Town of Schroon Lake, New York. Day One
of the workshop included developing a collective vision for the future of Schroon Lake using a variety
of group and individual activities, and an introduction to economic development theory for rural communities
as it applies to Schroon Lake . Day Two included presentation of community case studies representing
three types of development strategies, as well as discussion of organizing for action and resources available
to support community action. The workshop was designed for replication in other rural communities. Contact
Kent Gardner, Director of Economic Analysis Gleason Center for State Policy, Center For Governmental Research,
Inc, 37 South Washington Street, Rochester, NY 14608, (585) 327-7054.
"...thank you for participating in the Economic Development Seminar held in
Schroon Lake on December 13 & 14, 1989...The seminar has been rated a success by all who attended.
Everyone is looking forward to proceeding with great enthusiasm toward the VISIONS of Schroon
Lake's future."
-Mrs. Beryl Denton, President, Schroon Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.