RSDP Happenings

In a special addition to RSDP Happenings, we share with you the remarkable story of Extension colleague Anna Peterson’s journey back from an accident that nearly cost her life. It is a story of rural resilience and the depths that lie within.

The Roseau River is an international watershed traversing Minnesota and Manitoba, and a travel route used by Ojibwe for generations. Community members came to the Northwest RSDP for support in developing recreational sites along the river that are inclusive of diverse populations and accessible for a range of physical abilities.

LiDAR uses rapid pulses of light to gather information about surrounding shapes and surfaces and generate detailed digital maps. The technique is enhancing everything from floodplain mapping and natural resource planning to emergency management and public utilities work. Upcoming training opportunities are being supported by the Southwest and Southeast RSDPs.

RSDP is pleased to welcome Swan Ray to the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems team. Ray will support projects in RSDP’s five Greater Minnesota regions and advance emerging food systems issues that impact the entire state.

A food forest combines trees, shrubs, vines, perennials and self-seeding annuals to provide edible fruits and nuts. Rather than individually maintained parcels, the entire food forest is open to the public for harvest. The idea is to create an ecosystem that protects the soil, provides healthy foods, and requires minimal labor to be productive.

Consumer interest in experiencing closer connections to their food is contributing to a growth in agritourism offerings in Minnesota. Events like the Central RSDP-supported Salsa Fest provide opportunities to connect with growers and makers of value-added products such as salsa.

More than 40 years after the first Hmong arrived in Minnesota, the state boasts the nation’s second-largest Hmong population (Minnesota Historical Society).

As the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota is known for its water. A new traveling exhibit is raising awareness of just how and why water is important to Minnesotans and their environment.

As gardeners know, deer can be a pest. Simple, low-cost wildlife exclosures offer protection for those growing food near deer habitats.

Spring through fall is a busy time of year for Brooke and John Knisley, owners of Alternative Roots Farm in Madelia. For most of the year, they are busy growing and providing certified organic produce to their local community.