Teens talk about livestock, life in the Morris area, and future plans
Jake Moser, Lloyd Lesmeister and Brady Wulf all showed their animals at the Stevens County Fair.Jeff Severns Guntzel: Voices of young Minnesota farmers: Will you tell your story?
Rural Minnesota
MinnPost is visiting Minnesota’s rural youth — both literally and virtually — to explore their lives, the choices they face, and how their current choices might shape Greater Minnesota in the years to come. Rural Minnesota features both traditional stories and the ongoing voices of young people throughout the state via the MinnPost site as well as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. Sharon Schmickle, Jeff Severns Guntzel, Steve Date and Gregg Aamot have contributed to this project.
This project is made possible by a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation.
Voices of young Minnesota farmers: Will you tell your story?
If you feel like writing, we want to hear your story. If you’d rather just talk, we’ll be glad to call or visit. If you want to introduce us to some of the young farmers in your area, we’d be thrilled.
Preservationist talks about Dakota history and small-town life
Anthony Morse, 25, works at the Lower Sioux Agency historic site near Morton, Minn.
Two Cass Lake friends talk about jobs, education and native culture
James Dean Allen, 25, and Bruce Armstrong, 21, appreciate traditions on the White Earth Reservation.
White Earth youth explains the Grass Dance, and talks of his life and heritage
Alex Mason, 17, lives on the White Earth Reservation, but he’ll be a senior this fall at Detroit Lakes High School.
With the Dakota language on life support, a resurgence among native youth
Of the roughly 4,000 Dakota people living in Minnesota, there are just eight who are known to be fluent in the Dakota language. An organization in Morton is trying to change that.
Jingle Dress dancers describe their dance, their plans, and the role of the powwow in native culture
The origin of the Jingle Dress is thought to be from a recurring dream that a Midewiwin, or “Grand Medicine Society” man, had. It’s believed that the Jingle Dance has healing powers.
Smokey Hill Singers talk about White Earth and life on the powwow trail
Gene Boshey, Estevon Dominguez and Bradley Bloom are members of a drum group based on the White Earth Reservation.
Carla Big Bear: Her life, like that of the Mille Lacs Band, is the story of a remarkable transition
After a semester in Washington, she says, “I know now that I can survive out there – and I can come back home again, too.”
Young immigrant journalist finds her niche in Willmar
Marian Sanchez, who started her trilingual paper in 2008, says, “If a young person is interested in doing something here, he or she can make it happen.”
In Grand Rapids, community, gender — and a desire to see a good band
We talk with Madeline Frick about the dearth of entertainment opportunities for young people, the importance of community radio, and what it’s like to be a young woman when most leadership roles are filled by older men.
Latino students in Owatonna talk of their lives and plans
Jesus Torres has returned after college to work with kids at Centro Campesino, where he’d attended programs during high school.
Interactive map: Where are the immigrant youth in rural Minnesota?
And check out what the Census can tell us about the overall diversity of the communities they’re living in.
Help us tell the stories of immigrant youth in rural Minnesota
We couldn’t tell the story of young people in rural Minnesota without including the children of immigrant families and the young people who have migrated to Minnesota on their own.
Hmong youth realize the American dream of their parents
Thao Vang and his siblings grew up on a farm after his parents decided they wanted their children to experience the agrarian lifestyle that is such an important part of the Hmong culture.
Young Somali immigrant misses certain foods and constant sun, but appreciates life in diverse Pelican Rapids
PELICAN RAPIDS, Minn. — “I live freely, here,” said Abdirashid Nuur, 21. “Life is much better. … I like small cities. There is less trouble.”
A career in agriculture, but not on the farm: A dispatch from Brandon
I am certain that I want to work in agriculture. I’m not certain I will go back to my hometown after my internship.
Creating a ‘rural hotspot’: A dispatch from Windom
I just quit my full-time administrative-assistant position to open a local gathering place for my small rural community in my hometown. It took me too long to realize how great Windom is.
Years away offer a fresh perspective on what rural towns have to offer — and what they don’t
WILLMAR – Simplicity translates into time: time for my wife and son; time for running errands; time for getting together with friends and extended family.
‘Too many people flee’: A dispatch from New Ulm
I love the town and the lifestyle. While life in a rural community can seem quirky to many, it just seems more grounded to me.