Why is sustainable living important in West Central Minnesota?

UMM has emerged as a leader in encouraging the use of local foods and supporting local farmers and in alternative energy. In addition, faculty, students, and community members have been involved in a number of economic development projects to create sustainable small towns with economic opportunities. Our small towns are in need of creative ways to remain sustainable in the wake of decreasing populations; alternative energies, small, sustainable family farms, and thoughtful economic planning are key elements to this goal.

The sustainable living initiative seeks to continue implementing projects and conducting action research related to creating a sustainable community. We aim to do this by:

• Planning and implementing events and projects that raise awareness of the health, environmental, and community benefits of purchasing locally grown foods;
• Providing more opportunities for individual consumers to make responsible purchasing decisions;
• Assisting in research and projects aimed at creating a sustainable small town economic infrastructure.

Current Community Partners

www.prideoftheprairie.org or www.localfoods.umn.edu

Pride of the Prairie promotes the production and use of locally grown food and develops a regional food system in western Minnesota that provides good, nutritious food, nurtures a healthy environment and provides economic opportunity for area entrepreneurs.

Pride of the Prairie is:

1. A BRAND that identifies the Upper MN River Valley region and it’s local sustainable healthy foods.
2. An EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT to help people understand food systems and to make ethical and sustainable choices.
3. An INITIATIVE that is supporting and developing a local sustainable food system.
4. A COLLABORATION of partners representing diverse parts of a food system to move the work forward.

Pride of the Prairie Partners: The University of Minnesota (Morris campus, West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, West Central Research and Outreach Center, and University of Minnesota Extension), Sodexho Campus Services, Land Stewardship Project, Sustainable Farming Association, Morris Prairie Renaissance, Pomme de Terre Food Coop, Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance, area Farmers and the Upper Minnesota River Valley community.

Pride of the Prairie Coordinating Organization Contact Information:
West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership
Dorothy Rosemeier, Executive Director
680 80th Ave. SE
De Graff, MN 56271
rosemeie@umn.edu
320-760-3735 or toll free 1-877-501-3735


The West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership works with citizens in west central Minnesota to create and sustain healthy ecosystems, strong local economies and vibrant, self-reliant communities.  Its mission—launching education and research that help people understand and achieve sustainability in their region—supports projects that demonstrate public purpose and is committed to building partnerships that connect the citizens of west central Minnesota to local assets and the education, research and outreach resources of the University of Minnesota.

Land Stewardship Project

• Secure a healthful food supply,
• Preserve soil, water and wildlife,
• Support diversified profitable family-sized farms,
• Organize communities for positive change,
• Hold corporations and government accountable,
• and create a new sustainable vision for our food and agriculture system.

• Provide leadership in the generation and dissemination of research-based knowledge that addresses agricultural and rural issues.
• Emphasize interdisciplinary projects, with partners that range from producers to consumers of agricultural products, through citizen-guided programs

Examples of Current and Former Courses Participating in the Sustainable Living Initiative:

ARTS 1500 and 2500: Beginning and Advanced Photography- Ongoing Course
Therese Buchmiller
Students visit local farms and photograph the farmers. The images are showcased in the community to bring attention to local foods and delivered to the farmers for their own promotional use.
View photos

SOC 1101: Introduction to Sociology- Ongoing Course
Jennifer Rothchild
Students choose from one of eight projects that connect to sociology. Some students assisted with planning, advertising for, and staffing the local foods expo, meal, and farmer's market. Others assisted with research for the Morris Area School District's School Lunch Committee, including research about potentially purchasing more local foods.

Economics 3501: Introduction to Econometrics - Ongoing Course
Pareena Lawrence
Students designed a survey to assess the economic health of the Benson community. Benson High School students will administer the survey and work with college students on the analysis of the survey data.

Speech Communications 3311: Social Uses of the Media
Barbara Burke
Students will assist the Center for Small Towns with public relations efforts for the COPC grant .

Soc 3201- Former Course
Students examined civic agricultural practices in rural Minnesota and Hungary. Students investigated how local farmers' markets, gardens, processing, and purchasing of regional foods affected rural communities. Students also helped plan and host a local foods expo at UMM.

Pol 3401: U.S. Foreign Policy- Former Course
Students studied the effects of globalization on agriculture. Students interviewed local farmers on topics such as: free trade, immigrant workers, and environmental regulations. Students also planned a forum and invited local farmers to discuss such issues.

CSCI 4000: Variable Topics in Computer Science- Former Course
Rob Faux
Students created four databases requested by the Land Stewardship Project to assist consumers in purchasing locally grown foods and to gather information from farmers who are members of their organization for use in promotional materials and program improvement.