April 2025 Newsletter

Kent Scheer, a friend of Renewing the Countryside and environmental advocate, recently put his thoughts on community-building, acceptance into words in the article below. He provides a strong shoutout to land access and Renewing the Countryside, as well as other colleagues in the field. Read Kent's full article:

During the 1970s and 80s, The Back-To-The-Land movement brought young outsiders to Wadena and this region in surprising numbers. They tended to be in their thirties, progressive, and free thinking. They came on a dream of independence combined with a desire to homestead, grow healthy food, and live self-sufficiently. They also came at a time our own young people were leaving in droves, never to return.

The first installment of this Pioneer Journal feature reviewed that history and its fortunate impact on our area. These new people made a difference. As they matured and became settled some reached out to help the area and to innovate exceptional projects like the Cultural Center, Wadena Beautification, and the Whiskey Creek Film Festival.

March 2025 Newsletter 

Dear Reader,

Right now, Renewing the Countryside and the communities we serve are facing an unprecedented challenge. The ongoing federal funding freeze has placed critical programs on hold, creating deep uncertainty for farmers, food systems, and communities across the country. 

At this moment, RTC is awaiting more than $350,000 in federal funding reimbursement for work we've already completed.

So today, we ask for your immediate, emergency support, as the uncertainty ahead is unlike anything we’ve faced before.

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re filled with gratitude for all the work we’ve done together. This year has been a testament to the power of community, generosity, and shared purpose. To celebrate, we’ve put together our Top 10 Highlights from 2024. Thank you to all who supported us in this work and aided in our mission of fostering just, vibrant, and sustainable communities. Because of our community, we have a solid foundation and a clear path forward heading into 2025. 

If you’re inspired by our work below, we invite you to make a gift today at  renewingthecountryside.org/donate.

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?