Southeast RSDP
Southeast RSDP
The University of Minnesota Extension Southeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (Southeast RSDP) works with residents of Southeast Minnesota to create and sustain healthy ecosystems, strong local economies and vibrant, self-reliant communities. Community members named this partnership the "Experiment in Rural Cooperation" to signify that the goal of our work is to promote forward-thinking experiments in sustainable development.
The Southeast RSDP covers a range of Minnesota ecological land classifications. Our service areas includes the Mississippi River Blufflands, the Rochester Plateau, the Oak Savanna, and portions of the Big Woods and Minnesota River Prairie.
The Southeast region generally includes, but is not strictly limited to, the following counties: Blue Earth, Faribault, Dodge, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, LeSueur, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Fillmore, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona. It also includes the sovereign Native Nation of Prairie Island Indian Community (Dakota).
Funding FM360 at Minnesota farmers markets
This project aimed to research, understand, and quantify farmers’ markets’ contributions to their communities and local economies through the University of Minnesota’s FM360 program. Funding supported Southeast Minnesota farmers markets participation in FM360’s data collection process. Southeast RSDP Climate Corps staff led in-person surveying during farmers market season across Southeast Minnesota markets and supported market recruitment in the off-season.
Pathways to nature
The River Bend Nature Center and Somali Community Resettlement Services are collaborating with the UMN Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development on developing a literature review, theory of change and logic model to create conditions for thoughtful program evaluation for their Outdoor Diversity Initiative programming.
The creation of these materials will support the River Bend Nature Center and Somali Community Resettlement Services in advancing their natural resource career prep program for BIPOC youth and creating models to prove program impacts.
New board members
Cathy Liebowitz
After working on sustainability on college campuses for almost a decade, Cathy Liebowitz joined Clean Energy Economy Minnesota in January 2024, where she engages with their membership in programming and publications about Minnesota's clean energy transition.
She earned her BA in Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College, and her MA in Higher Education Administration at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Beyond her professional role, Cathy enjoys exploring the different trails around Rochester, where she lives, and visiting the animals at Zollman Zoo.
Angelica Walton
Angelica Walton is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing with expertise in holistic and integrative systems of care. Her work looks at the promotion of regenerative environments and ecosocial relationships through innovative and creative strategies, with a focus on healing justice.
She is working with our team to support communities in building resiliency and health.
- Pam Bishop, [email protected] - Owatonna
- Steven Carlson, [email protected] - Albert Lea
- Abby Gold, [email protected] - Ramsey
- Lauren Jensen, [email protected] - Rochester
- Cathy Liebowitz, [email protected] - Rochester
- Laura Marsala Peterson, [email protected] - Mankato
- Bruce Mckendry,[email protected] - Northfield
- Rachel Olson, [email protected] - Rochester
- Anna Pollock, [email protected] - Waseca
- Rob Vander Broek, [email protected] - Rochester
- Angelica Walton, [email protected] - Minneapolis
