I receive a lot of e-newsletters, and I'm guessing you do too. Over the past month, many of them have opened with reflections on spring and the arrival of summer. I can't resist doing the same.
It's the return of songbirds, the first lightning bug, the blooming daffodils—and now the peonies—that bring a sense of rhythm and hopefulness in a world that often feels unsettled in so many other ways.
So first, take a moment. Stop and smell the roses. For our collective well-being, we need to notice and embrace the small joys around us. We need moments of connection, celebration, and even fun, especially when the challenges feel overwhelming.
That brings me to another topic: fundraising events.
There is no shortage of advice about whether nonprofits should host them. Are they worth the effort? Do the costs justify the returns?
These are questions we take seriously. As an organization that relies on support from individuals, foundations, and public funding sources, we want to be thoughtful and responsible stewards of every dollar entrusted to us.
After considering all of this, we've concluded that now is exactly the time to continue our annual fundraising event.
We need opportunities to bring people together because connection is powerful. We need opportunities to share stories of hope, innovation, and resilience from the communities we serve. We need opportunities to celebrate the work that is happening across our region.
This year has underscored that need. We've had two substantial federal grants terminated because they included language about serving historically underserved farmers. While these funding losses create challenges, they also remind us why a strong and diverse network of supporters is so important.
If you can, I hope you'll join us on June 25 in West St. Paul at the beautiful Dodge Nature Center. If you can't attend in person, you'll still be able to participate through our online auction, and we'll be hosting an online gathering later this summer to share highlights of our work and the impact we're making together.
Thank you for reading our newsletter and for your continued support of Renewing the Countryside.
Jan Joannides. Executive Director
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Summer FUNdraiser - Get your tickets today! |
We hope you can join us for an evening of great conversation, delicious farm-to-table bites, music, local libations, and a community of people who care deeply about the future of our farms, food systems, and rural communities (and all communities who eat!).
We will have fun, interactive activities where you can learn more about our work, a short program where you can hear from some farmers and partners we have worked with and the impacts they've seen or experienced, and an exciting silent auction.
Our venue is the beautiful Dodge Nature Center, which offers the perfect setting for a summer evening spent with good people, good food, and good conversation.
June 25, 2026 • 5:30-8:30pm
Dodge Nature Center • West St. Paul, MN
Tickets range from $50 — $150 - or buy a virtual table for you and 6 of your friends/co-workers for $750
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Three Years of Growing Urban Agriculture Connections. 
On May 31 we wrapped up a three-year grant that enabled us to work with many urban agriculture organizations and farmers. This work was part of the National Urban Agriculture Initiative (NUAg) created by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and guided by the USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. The initiative opened Urban Agriculture Service Centers in 17 metro areas across the US, including the Twin Cities.
Renewing the Countryside served as the community partner, conducting outreach, education, and technical assistance to help establish a client base of urban farmers for the new Urban Service Center in the Twin Cities.
Over these three years, we learned about, worked alongside, and provided mini-grants to an amazing array of urban farmers and organizations. Our work was guided by a steering committee comprised of individuals with deep and wide connections within the Twin Cities urban agriculture community.
A few highlights of this initiative included:
-Supporting many field days for urban farmers to learn from each other
-Providing 20 commercial and 19 non-commercial farms mini-grants to support their growth
-Providing 14 organizations grants to support their urban ag education work
-Taking a busload of urban farmers and ag professionals to the Food Justice Summit in Duluth
-Capturing dozens of urban ag stories through the Storymobile (which will be live later this month)!
Link here more for information
While our role has wrapped up, we look forward to staying connected to the people and organizations that are fueling vibrant urban agriculture efforts in Minnesota!
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Speak Up for Conservation in Your County
Every county across the country holds an annual Local Working Group (LWG) meeting, usually during the spring or summer. These meetings are hosted by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) (or their equivalent, as they are called different things in different states) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
At these meetings farmers, landowners, and community members are invited to share input on local conservation needs. What many people don't realize is that the recommendations that come out of these annual meetings have a direct impact on guiding how federal and state conservation resources are prioritized within counties, and often at the state level. Many farmers aren’t aware these once-a-year meetings are open to the public—yet they’re a simple way to make sure local and diverse farming perspectives are heard.
This year, RTC is not only encouraging people to attend, but also recruiting a few farmers in several counties to attend with our staff and Connectors.
Here are two great guides created by the Midwest Agriculture Conservation Network to better understand these meetings and prepare for them:
- NRCS Local Working Groups: What are they and should I attend?
- Farmer Guide to Preparing for LWG Meetings: What to know before you go
On May 28th RTC staff Ginger Fride and Brett Olson attended Wabasha County LWG. Check out the short article Brett wrote on his experience:
Meeting dates are still being added and can be found here. You can also check with your local SWCD or NRCS office for more details. If you have further questions or attend your meeting this year and are willing to share your experience, please reach out to [email protected].
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With Gratitude to Elena & Marlene
If you've attended a FEAST! event, read the FEAST! magazine, or worked with us on local foods over the past decade, chances are you've crossed paths with Elena Byrne or Marlene Petersen. Both have been important members of the RTC family and have been instrumental in connecting food makers, farmers, buyers, and community members - and growing the visibility and understanding of our local food system.
Elena has been a driving force behind much of our work with the FEAST! Local Foods Network. She has gracefully managed countless details and partnerships to produce the Network's signature Marketplace and Tradeshow events year after year. She has thoughtfully and creatively developed programming to support foodmakers and farmers in our region. Elena has also been a key part of RTC's communications team and the managing editor for the Local Feast! magazine.
On June 1, 2026 Elena transitioned to a full-time role as Communications Manager with the Artisan Grain Collaborative, working to strengthen the regional grain chain of values-aligned stakeholders and their connections to consumers. For nearly six years, she has split her time between RTC and AGC, but balancing both roles has become increasingly challenging as AGC has grown.
While we're sad to see Elena leave RTC, we're excited for her and know we'll continue to work together in many ways. Check out this video of Elena sharing about her work and transition.
Marlene began working with RTC as writer for FEAST!, but soon became an integral part of planning and implementing the events. She has been the editor of the Local Feast! magazine since its launch, and was part of the team that created the vision and brought it to life. (The magazine is on pause this year as we navigate these transitions.) She also has played an important role in our fundraising work.
Marlene and her husband are relocating to the Netherlands on July 1 to be closer to their daughter. There, Marlene will continue her career as a freelance writer: creating new content and seeking publication of her first children's novel. She's planning a launch for her first picture book (ages 3-7)—Veggie Santa—in Rochester, Minn. on June 23. Everyone is invited!
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Welcome Veronica!
We're delighted to welcome Veronica Buis to the RTC team this summer. We asked Veronica to introduce herself and tell us a little bit about her story.
"Hi everyone, I am delighted to have the opportunity to intern with RTC's Farm to Early Care team this summer. A little bit about me:
I grew up in a rural town of 5,000 people in Wilmington, Illinois. After graduating high school in 2016, I served four years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps, which gave me the opportunity to travel throughout the U.S. and internationally, including Japan, South Korea, and Guam. After my military service, I briefly worked at a grain elevator in my hometown, where I gained experience in grain distribution, quality assurance, and moisture testing.
I later attended Iowa State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics in 2025. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in the Public Health Nutrition Coordinated Program at the University of Minnesota - School of Public Health and expect to graduate in 2027 before taking the board exam to become a Registered Dietitian. I became interested in RTC through a previous preceptor and am passionate about community health, gardening, and sustainable food systems."
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In the midst of all the work we do, it’s important to pause and recognize the things that ground us, inspire us, and bring us joy. Grounded is a space where we invite a staff member to share what is grounding them and bringing them joy.
What's Bringing Ginger Joy!
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The Market Entry Fund – Micro Grants - Applications Close July 1, 2026
Are you, or do you know, a food/beverage/agriculture business in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry? The TMEF-Micro-Grants Program provides grants from $5,000 to $20,000 to emerging and growing small food businesses in Minnesota. Learn More HERE - and don't miss the deadline! |
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Veggie Santa Picture Book Launch - June 23, 2026 , 7 - 8:15 pm
Meet creators: Marlene Petersen, Astrid Scharff & Meg Petersen and learn how RTC's Farm to Early Care program and dear friend Melvin Giles inspired the book.
The History Center of Olmsted County, 1195 W Circle Dr, Rochester, MN.
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• June 17, 2026 - Managing Invasive Species in Woodlands and Shorelines Join Cannon River Watershed Joint Powers Organization + Minnesota Women in Conservation for a Learning Circle at the Forest Township Hall for an evening of women-focused conversation and connection on invasive species management. Learn more | RSVP HERE. • June 23, 2026, Intensive Rotational Grazing at New Story Farm, Hutchinson Join MNWiC, the MN Soil Health Coalition and NRCS on this educational journey through warm and cool season pastures, rotational grazing, silvopasture, and potential cost-share opportunities. See a Mobile Water Wagon and Paddock Rotation Demos. All are welcome! Learn more | RSVP HERE.
• July 24, 2026, Pasture Tour: Great Heritage Farm in Winthrop, MN Join experienced grazier Leah Matzke for a tour of her multi-species pastured meat/milk operation and a discussion about whole farm planning.
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Minnesota Women in Conservation (MNWiC) Events ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Volunteer with us at the Minnesota State Fair • EcoExperience For 20 years, Renewing the Countryside has brought engaging sustainable food and farming education to the Minnesota State Fair EcoExperience, inspiring more than 200,000 fairgoers each year. This year’s theme is Bird Friendly Farming. We'll share more in upcoming newsletters, but for now we want to share the link to VOLUNTEER! |
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Answer to April's Trivia Question:
Ramps! (Allium tricoccum)
basically a wild onion...
June's Trivia!
Q: Did you know that the flavor of cheese is heavily dictated by the animal's diet? Some people can taste an onion in cows milk if they had been munching on ramps. As pastures are greening up and animals are eating more green stuff - the flavor of truly pastured cheese takes on great new flavors!
Now... guess how many pounds of cheese are produced in Wisconsin each year?
Email your answers to brettl@rtcinfo.org and/or look for the chance to answer on Renewing the Countryside's social media. Give us a follow below!
(Thanks to Neil McKay (C̣aƞtemaza) for the translation)
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Follow RTC on social media for even more updates! |
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