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.
New London Food Co-Op opens
In the spring of 2021, students in Juanjuan Wu’s retail merchandising class worked with board members from the New London Food Co-op to visualize what their new food store might look like. Three years later, the New London Food Co-op opened this past spring!
Board members and RSDP staff explored the newly opened space during a recent board meeting. The co-op showcased a diverse array of products. Board members enjoyed shopping for local rhubarb, asparagus, coffee and a wide variety of high-quality, sustainable goods. The visit underscored the co-op’s commitment to increasing local food access and supporting local producers. The board’s positive feedback reflected their appreciation for the co-op's role in promoting community and environmental stewardship.
Find out more about the New London Food Co-op.
New Story Farm hosts Prairie Days
New Story Farm hosts Prairie Days to celebrate the prairie ecology at their farm near Hutchinson. Held with support from the Southwest RSDP, the event features a regenerative farming tour showcasing rotational cow grazing practices that benefit soil health and the prairie ecosystem. Educational talks offer valuable insights into sustainable land management and the vibrant prairie landscape.
Families and nature enthusiasts have expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with nature, explore the prairie, and deepen their understanding of regenerative farming practices. The events will continue into the fall.
Southwest RSDP hosts tour of the region
This summer, we hosted the Statewide Coordinating Committee (SCC) Showcase. Attendees explored southwestern Minnesota's charm during a two-day event in Luverne and Worthington.
We toured Blue Mounds State Park and Prairie Ally Food Forest, visited local landmarks like the Jim Brandenburg Gallery and the Nutcracker Museum, and had a lively evening with hot dogs and wiener dog races in Luverne.
Worthington showcased clean energy advancements. We discussed soil health with local farmers and community-driven projects like the Neighbors United Food Shelf's clean energy initiatives and Uniting Cultures/Uniendo Culturas' oral history efforts. The gathering fostered meaningful connections among participants and celebrated the region’s vibrant culture and dynamic community spirit.
Southwest RSDP board members
- Laura DeBeer, laura.debeer@state.mn.us - Marshall
- Sara Gronfeld, sara.gronfeld@mn.nacdnet.net - Johnson
- Michele Huggins, doughpcreations@outlook.com - Granite Falls
- Eric L'Abbé, eric@ericrathman.com - Worthington
- David Lieser, kada@charter.net - Montevideo
- Sara Sietsema, ssietsema@willmarmn.gov - Willmar
- Becky Yust, byust@umn.edu - St. Paul
- Clement Loo, cloo@morris.umn.edu - Morris
- Knute Oldre, knute.oldre@bankwithssb.com - Luverne