November 2024

As Give to the Max Day approaches on Thursday, Nov. 21, we're grateful for the chance to share with you about the many projects we’ve so enjoyed working on over the past year.

Please enjoy our stories below about the fruits of our farmland access work, the ever-growing, very fun FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace that connects Minnesota food entrepreneurs with individual and wholesale buyers, the outcome of our first round of Urban Ag microgrants, a recap of my recent trip to Japan to speak about mini-forests, and much more, including our Staff Moment with Burke Murphy, new staffer as lead for the Minnesota Women in Conservation project!

—Hannah Lewis, RTC Grants and Projects Manager

September 2024

 
As ‘The Great Minnesota Get-Together’ has wrapped up and the fall season approaches, what a joy it has been to see Renewing the Countryside holding space at the Minnesota State Fair with the Agroforestry display and cooking demos that were delicious and welcoming to the appetite.

The cider at the fair helped me realize that fall and the vibrant color transitions that come with it are just around the corner along with pumpkin spice concoctions season, which are both favorites for so many this time of year.

As the seasons and temps change, we hope that your summer has been nourishing for you. Join us by getting out and enjoying the harvest and bounty of your local farmers, growers and producers!

—Gary Hampton, Project Co-Manager, National Urban Ag Initiative- Twin Cities

Contributed by Ariel Pressman

You’ve probably seen elderberries growing in backyards and farms across the Upper Midwest. Maybe you have seen farmers selling elderberry products at the local farmers market. But did you know that the vast majority of elderberry concentrates and powders used in the US, essential to creating everything from nutraceuticals to elderberry-flavored foods, are imported from Europe?

July 2024

A big party is always a good way to put a final punctuation on an anniversary—and what a shindig we had for the 20-year celebration of Renewing the Countryside’s founding! There were all the trappings of any good celebration—food & beverage, games, music, laughter, and chatting with old and new friends. Although there was a slight oversight of a cake! (my bad) “A party without cake is just a meeting...” — Sorry Julia, this was definitely a party.

If you missed it and would like to still support our work, 1. Renewing the Countryside is the “round-up” recipient at Lakewinds Food Co-op for the month of August, and 2. There are a few volunteer spots for the State Fair, and 3. You can like and share us on social media or make a donation online!

We hope to see you around at the many events,

—Brett Olson, Co-founder/Creative Director

June 2024

 
Summer is here and with it comes all those warm and fuzzy feelings that make us smile…such as peas and strawberries popping up at farmers markets and farm stands across the state, fireflies flying around at night, camp fires, summer camp, families at the beach, vibrant flower beds and so much more. What is there not to love about summer? 

Renewing the Countryside has lots to smile about too… from field days and farm to school connections, to new staff joining our team and all the awesome State Fair planning and did you hear we are celebrating our 20 years of working together in Minnesota!?!?

Come celebrate with us, pretty peas!?

—Sara George, Farmer Focused Program Manager

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May 2024

 
Summer is here! 

The singing birds and peeping frogs, the vibrant colors, sweet smelling blossoms, extended hours of sunshine—and the infectious smiles and energy of people who are also feeling the recharge—all have the powerful potential to fill our hearts with joy, hope and inspiration... especially when we take the time to recognize it. 

This reflection comes from my heart and is fitting for the gratitude I'm feeling in being able to introduce this edition of the Rooster. 

The projects below represent so much wisdom, experience, skill, love and hard work of my colleagues as well as the farmers, partners, communities and everyone else we're fortunate to collaborate with. I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as I do sharing it.

I hope to see you at RTC’s 20th Anniversary celebration fundraiser at Dodge Nature Center on June 27th (more details below)!

—Matt Barthelemy, RTC Project Coordinator

April 2024

 
We hope you had time this Earth Day to consider the value and beauty of this earth and all that it provides. We love that we get to work every day to support farmers in stewarding land and to support all of us in increasing our connections to farmers in meaningful ways. 

Thanks for checking in with our activities, and drop us a line if you have thoughts or questions to share with us!

—the team at Renewing the Countryside

February 2024

We've been enjoying being with farmers and colleagues within food systems work at a handful of conferences this month, from Minnesota Extension Women in Ag Feb. 6 to the Sustainable Farming Assoc. Feb. 10, to Marbleseed last week and most recently, the Explore MN convention in Rochester. 

Meanwhile, spring has been working hard on returning—and we hope you've been able to enjoy some of these strangely warm, sunny days in February!

—the team at Renewing the Countryside

January 2024

 
The calendar says January, but by the latest temperatures here in the upper Midwest, you wouldn't know it. And yet, while the growing season remains dormant (we hope), farmers and those who work to support them are busy attending conferences and workshops to make the most of the winter. 

Renewing the Countryside has no small number of events on our docket, including the Minnesota Organic Conference earlier this month, and the upcoming Sustainable Farming Association conference, where we're happy to share about programs like the Come and Get It on-farm food festivals, farmland access work and Go Farm Connect, to name a few.  

—the team at Renewing the Countryside

October 2023

 
Fall is in full force with its beautiful leaves, temperature swings, and bountiful fall produce at the final outdoor markets. The brussels sprouts, kale and carrots have likely now seen their first frost so they've sweetened up to be just right. We love this time of year for bringing reprieve to the farmers and opportunities to connect in so many ways with conferences and retreats, planning and potlucks.

It’s also the time of year for being thankful, and among the things we’re grateful for is Give to the Max Day, Nov. 16, Minnesota's unique giving holiday designed to support nonprofits like RTC (scroll down for details). We hope you have much to be grateful for, and can take in some fall harvest togetherness with friends, family and good local food!

—the team at Renewing the Countryside