MinnePod

MinnePod is a podcast that gathers personal stories about community from Minnesotans living in rural and urban areas around the state. We don’t claim to have the answers, or know how to “fix” the much-discussed “rural-urban divide.” But we have a hunch that it starts with listening.

Caledonia Forward Mini-Series: Jake Dickson 03/31/2026

Caledonia Forward Mini-Series: Jake Dickson Welcome to episode one of the Caledonia Forward Podcast mini series! Caledonia Forward is a committee in the city of Caledonia, Minnesota focusing on rural entrepreneurship in our small town, thanks to support from the Rural Entrepreneur Venture program ,or REV program, from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. I figured the best place to start with this mini series is with Jake Dickson, the City of Caledonia Clerk, who explains what REV and Caledonia Forward are, and the ripple effects he hopes this program will have in Caledonia. My name is Melissa Wray, producer for this mini-series. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/40688905

Episode 17: Spring Valley 10/30/2020

Episode 17: Spring Valley In this final episode wrapping up the series on Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation's Rural Entrepreneurial Venture Program (REV), we look at the small town of Spring Valley, MN. You’ll hear from Chris Hahn, EDA Director for Spring Valley and Fillmore County as a whole. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/16619171

Episode 16: Lake City 10/22/2020

Episode 16: Lake City In the sixth episode in a 7 part series featuring southern Minnesota's Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) program, you'll hear about the small town of Lake City, Minnesota, a town that thrives at the intersection of tourism and agriculture. You’ll hear from Kjellgren Alkire, Executive Director of the Lake City Economic Development and Michelle Larson, Executive Director of Lake City Chamber of Commerce. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/16505978

Episode 15: Blue Earth 10/08/2020

Episode 15: Blue Earth In this fifth episode in a 7 part series featuring southern Minnesota's Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) program, you'll hear about the small town of Blue Earth, Minnesota. Blue Earth's REV work focused on youth and workforce development, which you’ll hear about from Emily Davis, Blue Earth’s Community Workforce Coordinator and Mary Kennedy, the city administrator for Blue Earth. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/16322543

Episode 14: Lanesboro 10/01/2020

Episode 14: Lanesboro In this fourth episode in a 7 part series featuring southern Minnesota's Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) program, you'll hear about the small town of Lanesboro Minnesota and local business owner and REV participant Lori Bakke. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/16233746

Episode 13: Spring Grove 09/10/2020

Episode 13: Spring Grove In this third episode in a 7 part series featuring southern Minnesota's Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) program, you'll hear about the small town of Spring Grove, Minnesota from it's Economic Development Director Courtney Bergey Swanson. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/15966365

Episode 12: Le Sueur 08/27/2020

Episode 12: Le Sueur In this second episode in a 7 part series featuring southern Minnesota's Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) program, you'll hear from two entrepreneurs living and working in Le Sueur, Minnesota. Samantha DiMaggio is the Community Development Director for the city of Le Sueur and Katie Elke is the new owner of the Le Sueur Theater, which is being renovated. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/15778139

Episode 11: Pam Bishop 08/14/2020

Episode 11: Pam Bishop In this introductory episode to a 7 part series featuring southern Minnesota's Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) program, you'll hear from Pam Bishop. Pam Bishop is the Vice President of Economic Development at the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, which manages the REV program. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/15613721

Episode 10: Brittney Johnson 11/06/2018

Episode 10: Brittney Johnson The 2018 US midterm elections come at a very tense time in our country, with many dissatisfied people on all sides. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from a young politician in Otter Tail County who is running for state legislature: Brittney Johnson. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/7449245

Episode 9: The 2007 Floods of Southeast Minnesota 10/23/2018

Episode 9: The 2007 Floods of Southeast Minnesota 11 years ago, in August of 2007, southeast Minnesota experienced catastrophic flash flooding. Depending on location, 8-20 inches of rain fell very quickly over a short period of time, resulting in mudslides, roads and bridges being washed away, homes and businesses flooded, and seven people died as a result in the flooding. This episode gathers two separate interviews about the flood: Richard Cordes and Karla Blum. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/7279925

Episode 8: Hendel Farms 10/17/2018

Episode 8: Hendel Farms Rural areas are largely associated with farming, and therefore, our food sources. The dairy industry specifically has shaped Houston County in many ways. In this episode, you’ll hear from third generation dairy farmer Matt Hendel of Hendel Farms near Caledonia, MN. Matt discusses everything about the benefits of dairy farming on soil erosion to the effects of the national food industry on farmers. Listen for an enlightening conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing this vital industry. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/7212917

Episode 7: Sweet 16 Farm 07/03/2018

Episode 7: Sweet 16 Farm Starting a business takes a lot of planning, relentless hours, strategy...as well as choosing your location and community well. What do rural areas, specifically Houston County in this case, have to offer start-up business owners? Today’s episode digs into this topic with Sarah Mann of Sweet 16 Farm. The tagline for the farm is “Sustainability and Community”. You’ll hear how Sarah brings that tagline to life through a flower CSA, hop harvest, and more. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6770788

Episode 6: Community Organizers Rachel and Lee 06/05/2018

Episode 6: Community Organizers Rachel and Lee Volunteers and community organizers are integral to thriving small towns. Father-daughter duo Lee Grippen (of Caledonia, MN) and Rachel Storlie (of Spring Grove, MN) are two very busy and equally enthusiastic community organizers. In this episode, you'll hear them talk about why they feel so strongly about giving back, the challenges small towns face (such as lack of diversity), and the future of small towns. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6670797

Episode 5: International Owl Center 05/08/2018

Episode 5: International Owl Center Episode 5 features an unexpected small town treasure: The International Owl Center in Houston, MN. It’s the only center of it’s kind in the U.S., and brings people from all over the country to small town Houston for their live owls and programs. Executive Director Karla Bloem talks about the owls’ personalities, the center’s role in the community and tourism, and their future plans for expansion. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6567750

Episode 4: Terry Lauden 04/17/2018

Episode 4: Terry Lauden Faith is important to many rural communities. But what is it about churches that create a sense of community identity? What are other ways rural people find and give back to community? In this episode, we hear about these topics and more from Terry Lauden. Terry belongs to the United Methodist Church in Caledonia, MN, is a member of an informal swimming group called the Dolphins, and was a special education teacher for her entire career. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6489612

Episode 3: Thomas Trehus 03/27/2018

Episode 3: Thomas Trehus You’ve maybe heard about this trend of small towns losing younger generations to city jobs and culture. Thomas Trehus is on the other side of that equation, trying to build towards a better future for the community that raised him. He's the youngest school board member in Spring Grove MN and is running for the House of Representatives for Houston and Fillmore Counties in MN. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6412084

Episode 2: Jerome Neuman 03/13/2018

Episode 2: Jerome Neuman You know that small town archetype who is probably retired and sits at the town diner or coffee shop and shoots the breeze all day? Well, Jerome Neuman IS that person. But we all know archetypes aren't real, so in today's episode, you get to meet Jerome for the human he is. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6360152

Episode 1: Nettle Valley Farm 02/27/2018

Episode 1: Nettle Valley Farm Season One of MinneStory focuses on rural Houston County in southeast Minnesota. This episode features Nettle Valley Farm owners Dayna and Nick Burtness Nguyen. Each of them grew up in the Twin Cities area, but now make their home in the heart of the Driftless region. They talk about the transition of moving from urban to rural, the philosophy behind how they raise pigs, and much more. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6301926

MinneStory Season 1 Sneak Peek: Nick & Dayna Burtness Nguyen 02/19/2018

MinneStory Season 1 Sneak Peek: Nick & Dayna Burtness Nguyen The clip you're about to hear features Nick and Dayna Burtness Nguyen, who both grew up in the Twin Cities but now make their home in Houston County as owners of Nettle Valley Farm, where they raise beyond organic pastured pigs. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6278060

MinneStory Season 1 Sneak Peek: Thomas Trehus 02/07/2018

MinneStory Season 1 Sneak Peek: Thomas Trehus In this sneak peek, you'll hear from Thomas Trehus. He's the youngest school board member in Spring Grove, MN and is also running for the House of Representatives. Season one launches Feb 27, 2018, and will feature the rural community of Houston County, in southeastern Minnesota. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6235351

Season 1 Sneak Peek: Nick & Dayna Burtness Nguyen 12/12/2017

Season 1 Sneak Peek: Nick & Dayna Burtness Nguyen This is a sneak peek of an interview that will be featured in MinneStory Season 1, which launches February 6, 2018. This clip features Nick & Dayna Burtness Nguyen of Nettle Valley Farm in Blackhammer Township, MN. /episode/index/show/minnestory/id/6035859

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