Program Description

The mission of the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program is to increase the capacity of rural communities to improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions, through the assistance of trained graduate-level participants who live and work in communities for 11 months (1,700 hours). Qualified college graduates (with a bachelor's degree) and graduate-level students who are selected as RARE participants assist communities and agencies in the development and implementation of plans for achieving a sustainable natural resource base and improving rural economic conditions while gaining community building and leadership skills.

Participants receive a $1,250/monthly living stipend and medical health insurance.

Communities that complete an application for assistance and are able to provide a $17,000 cash match will be considered as possible host communities. RARE host communities receive the following:

• a full-time, RARE participant who will provide community service for 11 months (1,700 hours);
• support services from a team of six planning/policy analysts;
• regular community site visits and evaluation by RARE staff.

RARE is administered through the University of Oregon’s Community Service Center and has been in operation since 1994. RARE has placed more than 300 RARE participants throughout rural Oregon.

RARE participants have a variety of backgrounds and bring to their communities a wide range of experiences. In addition, participants receive training in areas such as: citizen involvement, outreach and communication, land-use planning, grant writing, project management, and necessary computer skills.

RARE projects typically fall into five broad categories:

Community Planning
For example, RARE participants have:

• Coordinated the development of a downtown master plan
• Facilitated the development of a buildable lands inventory

Community Development
For example, RARE participants have:

• Implemented a county-wide tourism master plan
• Facilitated the coordination of a ‘green business’ campaign

Watershed Planning
For example, RARE participants have:

• Coordinated a watershed assessment
• Designed a citizen involvement program for a watershed council

Microenterprise and Economic Development
For example, RARE participants have:

• Assisted rural residents with small business skills
• Coordinated the development of a city-wide economic development plan

Community Food Security/Food Systems
For example, RARE participants have:

• Creation of community food assessments
• Enhancement of local farmers' markets and food related businesses

Individuals and communities interested in participating in RARE should contact:

     RARE Opportunities
          1209 University of Oregon
          Eugene, OR,
          97403-1209

     Phone (541) 346-2879
     Fax (541) 346-2040
     e-mail RARE@uoregon.edu