Delta Cultural Center

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Delta Cultural Center

• West Helena, Arkansas

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The emergence of the blues and the other roots
music of the Delta is explored and detailed at
the Delta Cultural Center. The museum's permanent
exhibit highlights the multitude of legendary
performers whose lives were molded by life in the
region.

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• EDUCATION A big part of the work of the Delta
  Cultural Center is in helping to bring the story
  of the people, commerce and culture of the
  Arkansas Delta to students and others across the
  state and the nation.

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Journeys with First Nations

• A new green route at White Earth Indian
  Reservation

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Native Harvest
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Native Foods Value Added Businesses and
Projects

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Growing small businesses

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• Map-based site lists
• places to eat, play,
• shop, sleep, and learn.

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What is Green Routes?
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Goal

• To stimulate broad-based, environmentally and
  culturally sensitive economic development in
  rural communities.

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Partnering with rural communities to develop and
showcase their regional flavor

• Green Routes will help you discover small,
  unique businesses that are rooted in their
  communities places to eat where the food is not
  only fresh from a family farm, but where you
  might bump into the farmers who grew it. Green
  Routes gives you a way to incorporate your values
  into your travels.

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Green Routes Potential Partners

• Renewing the Countryside, in partnership with
• University Extension or Tourism Center
• Bed Breakfast Association
• Farmers Markets
• State Department of Agriculture (Do they promote
  locally grown food?)
• Sustainable Agriculture Organizations Farming
  Associations
• Cultural Tourism Association or Preservation
  groups
• Niche groups Grape Growers, Arts Collectives,
  Co-ops, etc.
• State Tourism Department
• Other Microenterprise Development Organizations

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Acknowledgments

• Thanks to the Minneapolis Foundation, Otto
  Bremer Foundation, McKnight Foundation, and
  others who generously support the work of
  Renewing the Countryside.

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Contact RTC

• Deborah McLaren
• Email Deborah_at_rtcinfo.org
• Cell 651-983-9880
• Christy James
• Email Christy_at_rtcinfo.org
• Cell 612-963-0467
• www.RenewingtheCountryside.org
• www.GreenRoutes.org

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Group Exercise

• What types of businesses/ initiatives could you
  promote in your area?
• How would you promote these businesses /
  initiatives?
• What new opportunities and/or partnerships could
  this produce?
• Who are the partners in your area with whom you
  could collaborate?
• How will you contact them about getting started?
  What are the steps that you need to take?