Southwest RSDP
Southwest RSDP
The University of Minnesota Extension Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (Southwest RSDP) works with community members across the region to create and sustain healthy ecosystems, strong local economies and vibrant, self-reliant rural towns. We launch education and research that help people understand and achieve sustainability across southwestern Minnesota. We support projects that demonstrate public purpose and build partnerships with residents of the region.
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The Southwest region includes the counties of Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Douglas, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Sibley, Renville, Rock, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine, and shares geography with the Upper Sioux and Lower Sioux sovereign Native nations.
Southwest RSDP has been serving rural Minnesota for two decades. From 1998 through 2011, the West Central RSDP operated as a 12-county region. The geographic region was expanded in 2012 to include all counties in the southwest part of Minnesota, and the program renamed Southwest RSDP. New members of the board of directors were elected to represent the newly included counties.
The Mary J. Page Community-University Partnerships Fund honors former Olivia Mayor, Renville County Commissioner and University of Minnesota Regent Mary Page for her contributions to community-driven sustainability projects across Southwest Minnesota and beyond. Mary helped create, and then served on, the founding board of the West Central RSDP from 1999-2007, and gave statewide leadership to RSDP until 2009.
Innovative Agrivoltaics Project Shines in Olivia
Outside of Olivia, Southwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) and Clean Energy Resource Team (CERTs) co-hosted a special event showcasing the Rauenhorst Farm Agrivoltaics Project. This project uses solar panels that are placed 14 feet above the ground, allowing conventional crops like corn and soybeans to grow underneath. The idea is to produce solar energy while still farming the land.
Southwest RSDP supported this project by funding a graduate student to assist. The farm team, along with experts from the University of Minnesota, is studying things like sunlight, temperature, and soil moisture to see how the panels impact farming. This project and event was featured on PBS, click here to watch the full video.
Currie Hosts Insightful Gathering on Boosting Local Tourism
In the charming town of Currie, the Resilient Communities work group and board members gathered for a delightful lunch at The Hideaway. Representatives from community and regional development organizations shared their expertise on how regional trail systems can invigorate tourism in small towns across Southwest Minnesota.
The Currie Area Revitalization Enterprise (CARE) presented their community initiatives and partnerships with the University of Minnesota Extension Community Development and Empowering Small Minnesota Communities. The event concluded with a tour of Currie, highlighting the town’s connection to the Casey Jones Trail and Lake Shetek State Park. Attendees explored the End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum, which preserves Currie’s rich railway heritage with restored turntables and the old depot, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Prairie Horizons Farm Hosts Inspiring Sustainable Agriculture Event
At Prairie Horizons Farm in Benson, MN, members of the Local Foods and Sustainable Agriculture work group gathered for an insightful day among native prairies. The farm is dedicated to building a farm-based system of healthy food production, processing, and distribution that is economically sound, environmentally responsible, and beneficial to future generations.
The engaging tour, led by Mary Jo and Luverne Forbord, highlighted the farm’s 100% pasture-raised livestock grazing on diverse mixes of perennial grasses, legumes, and forbs. Attendees delved into the farm’s innovative operations and sustainable practices, gaining valuable insights.
The group then enjoyed a delicious lunch featuring local vegetables and grains, including peaches from the orchard located on the farm. The event wrapped up with a dynamic group discussion and reflection session, where participants exchanged ideas and explored challenges and opportunities to advance sustainable agriculture and food systems in the region.
Southwest RSDP board members
- Laura DeBeer, [email protected] - Marshall
- Michele Huggins, [email protected] - Granite Falls
- Eric L'Abbé, [email protected] - Worthington
- Maria Conchita Paez- Sievert, [email protected] - Worthington
- David Lieser, [email protected] - Montevideo
- Mike Aude, [email protected] - Morton
- Nick Olson, [email protected] - Litchfield
- Griffin Peck, [email protected] - Battle Lake
- Rhyan Schicker, [email protected] - Dawson
- Sara Sietsema, [email protected] - Willmar
- Clement Loo, [email protected] - Morris
- Knute Oldre, [email protected] - Luverne
