Welcome to rural Minnesota! The purpose of this study/tour is to travel across this beautiful state – from the shores of Lake Superior through the northern conifers and deciduous forests and onto the prairie – to gain a perspective of the great variety of geographical landscapes and to examine the major forces that have shaped community and rural development throughout these regions.  

For the travel portion of this mobile workshop, the journey is the destination! The pace and convenience of riding in a comfortable coach provides opportunities for a variety of learning experiences such as presenters from various regions along the journey, documentary segments shown on in-coach monitors and strategic stretch sites. Utilizing a comparative/contrasting approach to other regions of the country, participants will gain a meaningful understanding of socio-cultural forces affecting mining, forestry, farming, the environment and rural society, and conversely how these industries and rural values shape how individuals view the world.

The prairie destination is Morris, located in the west central area of Minnesota and on the eastern edge of the Great Plains region of the United States. The tour lingers a while in this small, intimate town of about 5,500 people and located in “a heaven of small towns” and includes the study portion of this mobile workshop. Engaging in a highly interactive venue, study tour participants along with people from the area with interests in research, policy and practice in Community and Rural development will have opportunities to share information and experiences. Visits to area points of interests and events to highlight local culture are also planned.

Many area citizens and professionals will join tour participants in an “International Info Sharing” hosted at the University of Minnesota, Morris which will allow discussion of many topics including specific community rural development programs, scientific and applied research efforts, community/university partnerships, and local food systems with the following objectives:

Ø        Generate innovative ideas
Ø        Foster a sense of understanding and awareness
Ø        Expand outreach capabilities through new partnerships
Ø        Foster an active learning environment
Ø        Focus activities on Research, Practice and Policy

Participating local programs, organizations and institutions:

Ø        Blandin Community Investment Partnership (BCIP) – a grassroots “community building” program with a focus on long-term community health
Ø        Healthy Community / Healthy Youth – a grassroots “community building” program with a focus on opportunities for young people
Ø        University of Minnesota

v University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) – “America’s Best Public Liberal Arts College” - scientific and applied research activity, language center
v Center for Small Towns, community outreach program at UMM with regional community development and student development missions
v West Central Research and Outreach Center – agricultural research
v West Central Regional Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Development Partnership – civic and sustainable partnership issues/education
v District and County Extension offices

Ø Western Area City and County Cooperative
Ø United States Department of Agriculture Soils Lab Research
Ø United State Fish and Wildlife Wetlands Management
Ø Central Square – non-profit, grassroots community development organization in Glenwood

Examples of possible roundtable topics:

Ø        Alternative models of rural social service delivery
Ø        Education and human capital development
Ø        Economic and community innovations
Ø        The contribution of tourism in rural development
Ø        Design as a problem solving tool for rural development
Ø        School/community strategic planning
Ø        Extending the learning process, involvement of young people in community and rural development
Ø        Citizen/leadership education
Ø        Rural Arts and Culture planning
Ø        Shaping rural development policy
Ø        Production agriculture issues:
  §        The role of the state in modernization and development of production agriculture
  §        The connections between local food systems and employment patterns
  §        How is production agriculture connected to the processing and retail sectors?
  §        What role does value-added agriculture play in a comprehensive rural development strategy?

Meet others attending the International Summit from the Morris area and enjoy their local hospitality as this visit to Morris includes an overnight with International Summit and Morris BCIP host families. As an alternative, dormitory rooms at the University of Minnesota, Morris campus are available at $10.50 per night based on double occupancy. 

Bathrooms and showers at the end of the hall, study lounges, phones and possibly internet connections in room, coin laundry/vending, shared kitchen and games, ping pong, pool, public lobby with TV. (10’x14’ double).

The return trip east to Duluth features new roads, new presenters and interactive reflection on the experience.