Courting a ‘Brain Gain’ in rural places brings economic benefits
Workforce, Housing and the Rural Narrative: That was the name of the McLeod County economic development forum that drew so many people it had to be held in one of the largest buildings on the McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. Ben Winchester, Extension rural sociologist, was invited by Liz Danielson, McLeod County economic development coordinator, to deliver his presentation, “Rewriting the Rural Narrative.”
Winchester’s research on the “Brain Gain” has given rural communities not only a new lens on the future but also has sparked conversation and action plans. There are ways communities can be ready to court this “Brain Gain” and benefit economically.
Young people do leave rural places for education and life experience. Some come back and some don’t, but what is often missing in the conversation about “brain drain” is that people who have never lived outside of cities and suburbs are moving to rural communities. These newcomers come for a simpler pace of life, safety and security, access to natural spaces, lower housing costs and more.
Highlights
- RSDP impact: New Story Farm in Hutchinson is one of the five newest farmer partners throughout Greater Minnesota to build and test prototype farm-scale deep winter greenhouses.
- Cadence R-A., a McLeod County 4-H’er, is a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador, and her favorite activity is the county fair.
- Extension’s agricultural business management team delivered farmland rent workshops in Hutchinson.
- U of M Farm Family of the Year: The Otto family (2026)
- The Master Gardeners from McLeod and Meeker counties teamed up to host the Garden Magic event at the Crow River Golf Club, where participants learned planting tips for lilies and how to thoughtfully incorporate food plants into their yards and gardens.
- A Farm to Early Care program was pilot tested in Hutchinson through a partnership between the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy and Extension. The programming introduced local produce to children via toddler-oriented activities.
- SuperShelf locations: McLeod Emergency Food Shelf (Glencoe), McLeod Emergency Food Shelf (Hutchinson)
- The Climate Adaptation Partnership is helping characterize future flood and drought extremes in the High Island Creek watershed, equipping natural resource managers, farmers and communities with education and resources to inform resilience strategies.
McLeod County office
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About the Minnesota 87 project
Spend time in any Minnesota county, and you will almost certainly encounter University of Minnesota Extension. Our faculty and staff, volunteers, participants, alumni and partners are woven into the fabric of rural, urban and suburban Minnesota life. This project showcases Extension in action through photos, stories and a sampling of the many ways Extension has touched the lives of people in every county.