Welcome - Center for Rural Sustainable Development

Students on canoe trip along the Saint John Valley River

Envisioning a region of resilient, durable and prosperous communities, the CRSD's mission is to guide sustainability efforts by providing academic resources and quality information for improving lives and livelihoods and safeguarding cultural and natural heritage for the future.

4/22/2013 • Former Representative, John L. Martin, to receive Honorary Degree and Deliver Commencement Address at UMFK's 131st Graduation

2/20/2013 • UMFK's Center for Rural Sustainable Development to hold Informational Meeting on Biograss Farming

12/31/2012 • St. John Valley Farmers Participate in Biomass Grass Feasibility Study

11/29/2012 • UMFK'S Center for Rural Sustainable Development & Faculty to Study Grass Biomass Feasibility in the St. John Valley

CRSD wins 2 biomass grants: EPSCoR (NSF) & Maine Wood-to-Energy

The Center for Rural Sustainable Development with the Environmental Studies Program recently received an NSF/EPSCoR grant as part of the Sustainability Solutions Initiative from U Maine-Orono. As a Sustainability Solutions Partner, UMFK received $45,000 for 2011, with the potential of receiving funds for the next three years (up to perhaps $300,000). The project will assess the landscape implications and sustainable development potential of biomass energy resources in Northern Maine! Here for more. The Center also won a stimulus grant of $500,000 to replace an old oil-fired boiler with a biomass boiler at UMFK. Here for more.