Maine: Networking opportunities among like-minded young professionals were identified as a benefit of the Young Professionals Institute, a leadership development course in Maine offered at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. An eight-week program to enhance communication skills and civic involvement of participants, it also highlights the benefits of living and working in rural northern Maine. The program is the result of collaboration between the university, local employers, and Momentum Aroostook, which addresses youth outmigration through active participation of its 20 to 40-year-old demographic base.

Minnesota: The Iowa Independent reports about the Minnesota Consortium for Advanced Rural Psychology Training, which is “a post-doctorate program that has not only established one of the nation’s first pipelines of providers, but has enhanced the way existing agencies and providers interact for the betterment of an entire rural [northern Minnesota] region.” Dr. Jeffrey Leichter, a founding member of the Consortium, said one of the biggest difficulties of rural practice is so few are prepared for the realities of practicing in a rural area.

New York: The Adirondacks are forever protected thanks to legislation over a century old protecting the Adirondack Park. The Times Union reports that Clarkson University will host a Forever Wired conference on Sept. 8 to examine methods of broadband internet deployment and to encourage entrepreneurs to establish businesses and build the area economy. Deployment of internet in the area has a few hurdles because of laws respecting the landscape. For instance, park regulations limit the installation of cell towers. For more information about the conference, visit www.clarkson.edu/adk.

Oregon: With the signature of Governor Ted Kulongoski, the state has legalized the production, trade and possession of industrial hemp. Bi-partisan support passed the bill quickly with a vote of 46-11 in the state House of Representatives and 27-2 in the Senate. Oregon joins Maine, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and Vermont, all passing pro-hemp laws or resolutions in 2009. A total of 16 states have passed similar pro-hemp legislation since industrial hemp production was outlawed over 50 years ago. Federal law permits only the import of industrial hemp, not its production.

Contact: Casey Francis, caseyf@cfra.org for more information or to suggest ideas for the column.