REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS

REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS Fiscal Year 2016 Projects focused and community driven

The University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) connect Greater Minnesota communities to University of Minnesota (UMN) resources through sustainability projects. RSDP brings together local talent and innovation with University knowledge and resources.

Projects are supported by community-driven boards in five Regions of Greater Minnesota as well as through a statewide office based on the Twin Cities campus.

RSDP has a portfolio of more than 600 past projects. This list presents projects active during Fiscal Year 2016 (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016), along with their community and University partners.

RSDP supports work in the following four sustainability focus areas. RSDP’s energy programming is provided by the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs).

Agriculture and food systems Natural Resources Clean Energy Tourism & Resilient Communities

CONNECT WITH US:

rsdp.umn.edu cleanenergyresourceteams.org facebook.com/UofMNExtRSDP facebook.com/CleanEnergyResourceTeams twitter.com/@RSDPMN twitter.com/@MNCERTs

CENTRAL REGION

Executive Director: Molly Zins, [email protected] Learn more: rsdp.umn.edu/central

Community Wind/Solar Hybrid [NEW] The Declining Resort Industry in Otter Tail County, MN: FOCUS AREAS: Economic Implications and Solutions [NEW] UMN Morris Economics of Renewable Energy Systems, FOCUS AREAS: Becker County, City of Audubon, City of Frazee, CERTs, UMN Extension Community Economics, UMN Morris Juhl Energy, Sustainable Energy Fund Program, Center for Small Towns, UMN Morris Student Research community members Assistant, Otter Tail County, regional resorts and Community Wind/Solar Hybrid conducted a feasibility community members study for the development of a wind/solar hybrid project In the late 1800s and early 1900s, resorts started for the cities of Audubon and Frazee. The study analyzed popping up among Otter Tail County’s wooded hills and community costs, benefits, and opportunities associated 1,048 crystal clear lakes. Those early resorts are with the pilot project and provided a third-party review responsible for much of the county’s early infrastructure and appraisal of the risks and benefits to each and economic development. Today, tourism and community. hospitality remain Otter Tail County’s second largest industry. However, resorts are disappearing. Since 1985, Controlled Environment Agriculture Summit [NEW] over 50% of Otter Tail County’s resorts have closed. FOCUS AREAS: Given the cultural and economic significance of resorts in UMN Department of Entomology, UMN Duluth Otter Tail County, it is important to better understand Environmental Studies, UMN Veterinary Medicine, the implications of their decline. The purpose of this Central Lakes College, Happy Dancing Turtle, community project is to 1) better understand why resorts are closing, members 2) examine the economic impact of the declining resort The project team co-hosted two regional workshops on industry in Otter Tail County, and 3) identify strategies Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) focused for curbing the decline of resorts and/or mediating the primarily on different methods of “ponics” production, impact of their disappearance. including hydroponic and aquaponic production as well as less known methods such as aeroponics and Natural Fiber Alliance [NEW] fogponics. These methods of food production have FOCUS AREAS: tremendous opportunity to expand local food production RSDP Mary J. Page Community-University Fund; UMN year around, providing healthy and nutritious vegetables Ph.D. Student in Applied Economics; Central, SE, and SW throughout most of the year in our cold climate. Ponics, RSDPs; Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers; Natural like all local food production, has the potential to Fiber Alliance contribute to local economies and support rural The research project is identifying the interest of economic development. manufacturer(s) in developing new product(s) or improving current product(s) using Minnesota/Mid-West Cultivating Solar Gardens [NEW] wool and researching opportunities to expand markets FOCUS AREAS: for local, sustainable natural wool. The final report will UMN Graduate Research Assistant, Brainerd Public be shared broadly and will compile all interview and Utilities, CERTs, City of Royalton, Creative Energy survey data analysis to provide informative, applicable Services, Rural Renewable Energy Alliance, Youth Energy resources on barriers and opportunities for Summit, community members manufacturers and farmers. The student research project is creating a framework for developing one or more Community Solar Gardens in the Restoration Agriculture and Keyline [NEW] Central RSDP region. Bringing together all interested FOCUS AREAS: parties (utilities, rate payers, community advocates, and UMN Extension Agroforestry, UMN Extension the solar industry) and current resources, the research Horticulture, Bakers’ Acres Farm, Crow Wing & Stearns will identify best practices for funding and implementing Soil & Districts, Island Lake Farm, a Community Solar Garden. All research results and the lake associations, Natural Resources Conservation framework will be broadly disseminated. Service, Sustainable Farming Association

Restoration Agriculture and Keyline design is researching commercial district to determine if it could be eligible for and demonstrating options for capturing and infiltrating listing on the historic register. rainwater using keyline design concepts. The keyline capture water from areas of Big Trout Lake concentrated flow and, with the use of swales and/or soil FOCUS AREAS: ripping, move it slowly across the landscape to drier UMN Biosystems , UMN Extension Water ridges or pocket ponds. The project is establishing keyline Resources, City of Manhattan Beach, Crow Wing County, systems and providing field days open to the public on Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District, MN farms in Crow Wing and Stearns counties. DNR, Whitefish Area Property Owners Association County State Aid HWY 66 runs adjacent to Big Trout Lake Solar Dehydrator [NEW] and has a curb and gutter with direct flow into the DNR FOCUS AREAS: designated Cisco refuge lake, causing a significant source UMN Agricultural Health and Safety, UMN Carlson School of runoff into the lake. The project team assessed the of Management Research Assistant, UMN Extension Food current drainage, determined an alternative approach, Safety, Central MN Women Shine, Sustainable Farming and designed a proposal to alter current flow, reduce Association, central MN farms and community members surface water runoff, nutrient inputs, and sedimentation The research is demonstrating the commercial feasibility which will provide important water quality and fisheries of adding value to local produce through solar habitat benefits for Big Trout Lake. dehydration. The project pursues the need for using renewable and clean energy to create a sustainable Connecting Citizens to Agriculture, Tourism, and Natural income stream and jobs in Central Minnesota rural Resources communities as well as making better use of produce FOCUS AREAS: which might otherwise be wasted. The demonstrations UMN Extension Community Vitality, UMN Extension and data collection are being conducted at Azariah Acres Crow Wing Water Resources Educator, UMN Extension Farm in Ramey, Snowy Pines Reforestation in Cushing, Water Resources Educators, Crow Wing Soil and Water and Green Island orchards in Wadena. Conservation District, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Pine River Watershed Alliance, citizens, farmers, Tourism in County Planning & Zoning [NEW] and resorts FOCUS AREAS: The project created a video showcasing the many assets UMN Applied Economics Graduate Research Assistant, of the Pine River Watershed which include: sustainable UMN Tourism Center, counties and community members agriculture practices, tourism, and natural resources. in Central RSDP region Special screenings of the video are increasing viewer The planning and policy research is assessing if and how engagement with the PRWA and the watershed tourism is addressed in county-level policy documents protection activities. A participant survey is supporting (e.g., comprehensive plans) to inform future planning overall project evaluation and guiding next steps for the efforts. The graduate student researcher is collecting and PRWA. analyzing documents and conducting interviews for approximately 15 counties with high tourism value in the Conservation Corps serves Natural Resources Focus Central RSDP region. A content analysis will identify if Area and how tourism and recreation is intentionally cited or FOCUS AREAS: "accommodated" in the planning document language UMN Extension, RSDP Rose Clarke and (e.g., key words or phrases). Work Groups, Conservation Corps of MN and IA A Conservation Corps member is assisting RSDP staff in Wadena Historic Buildings Research [NEW] building capacity for its Natural Resources Focus Area. By FOCUS AREAS: attending meetings with the natural resources work UMN Morris Center for Small Towns, UMN Morris groups, Corps member will be able to share projects, Student Research Assistant, Minnesota Historical Society, approaches , and insights across the program, and Wadena County Historical Society provide staffing assistance for specific regional projects. The study is researching and compiling information about Special emphasis will be put on climate adaptation buildings in Wadena’s downtown commercial district, planning and projects. The emphasis on climate particularly those that are over 100 years old and were adaptation follows a series of convenings in 2015 hosted present when the Jefferson Highway auto-route came to in partnership with Climate Generation. Wadena. A Minnesota Historical Society historian is working with the project team to evaluate the downtown

Crosslake Community Teaching Garden radius around Mille Lacs Lake) at different times of the FOCUS AREAS: year. An Economic Impact Analysis will be conducted on UMN Center for Changing Landscapes, UMN Extension the data gathered during the visitor profile study. Crow Wing Horticulture, Crosslake Army Corps of Engineers, Master Gardeners, Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Nisswa Lake Park & Access Design - Community Association Engagement Crosslake Community Teaching Gardens is a collection of FOCUS AREAS: educational garden areas accessed by pervious UMN Center for Rural Design, Friends of Nisswa Lake walkways. Solar energy will be used for some lighting and Park, community members rainwater collection tanks will be used for some The Nisswa Lake Park & Access Design - Community watering. The gardens are designed to be Engagement project engaged community members in a representational gardens, providing a unique way to community design to identify common values learn about local foods, natural forest foods, and and preferences for Nisswa Lake Park. Based on the environmental benefits of butterfly gardens. community values and preferences, the UM Center for Rural Design is working with the city and community Environmental & Economic Benefits of Woodland members to develop a schematic design of the park and Grazing access that will be used to implement the park plan. FOCUS AREAS: UMN Extension Water Resources, UMN Natural Resource Orcharding in the North Management & Utilization Forest Resources, Crow Wing FOCUS AREAS: Forage Basin Council, MN Cattleman’s Association, UMN Extension Horticulture, UMN North Central Natural Resource Management & Utilization Forest Research and Outreach Center, Central Lakes College Resources, NRCS, SWCD (Crow Wing, Cass, and Todd) Staples Ag and Energy Center, Happy Dancing Turtle, Unmanaged woodland grazing in central Minnesota is Stimulating Economic Progress, Sustainable Farming causing environmental degradation (increased soil Association of Central MN erosion leading toward impairment of water quality The project generated and distributed new information running to streams, lakes and ground water), and crucial to successfully growing tree fruits in this economic decline (producing low quality trees, and low northernmost climate of the U.S. The series of six public quality forage translating to decreased performance of workshops are providing current experimental and livestock). The project is researching and demonstrating experiential information for orcharding in USDA Zones 2b woodland grazing through the use of best management & 3. The information in these workshops was recorded practices such as silvopasture, a practice integrating and will be edited into an online handbook. New trials trees, forage, and livestock as one management unit concerning two pressing issues in northern tree fruit which can provide environmental conservation and production have also been established at CLC Staples Ag economic production. and Energy Center.

Fall for All Say YES! Empower Youth for Sustainability in Central FOCUS AREAS: MN UMN Extension Horticulture, Kanabec County Extension FOCUS AREAS: Committee, community members UMN Extension Youth Development, UMN Extension Fall for All is an educational event offered in Kanabec Nutrition Educators, CERTs, five regional school districts County in 2014 and 2015 fall seasons to provide The Youth Energy Summit (YES!) mobilizes entire educational presentations and information on natural communities through youth-led sustainability action resources, wildlife, and areas of interest where humans projects initiated by teams of 8 to 20 youth in grades 7 - and wildlife intersect. 12. Over the past two years the YES! program has expanded into the Central RSDP region. YES! has been Mille Lacs Lake Area Visitors Profile connecting regional teams with the resources and FOCUS AREAS: expertise needed to complete youth-led sustainability UMN Tourism Center, Explore MN Tourism, Mille Lacs projects in five Central Minnesota communities. County, Mille Lacs Lake Tourism Council, community members The project team conducted a 4-season visitor profile study to gain a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and spending patterns of visitors to the Mille Lacs Lake Tourism Council’s service area (5-mile

Wellness Trail upfront cost and in turn the monthly kWh output of their FOCUS AREAS: panels will be credited to their electric bill. This project is UMN Center for Rural Design, Essentia Healthcare, Lions, the perfect opportunity for DLPU customers to engage in Master Naturalists, Rotary, Sertoma, community a local renewable energy project. DLPU has members approximately 7,070 customers that will be eligible to The project team and steering committee designed and participate in the program. implemented an accessible wellness and field interpretation trail at the Northland Arboretum. The Lutheran Church of the Cross: 7.56 kW Ground-Mount purpose of the trail development is to promote greater PV System Project access for all to the natural setting and outdoor trail ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: experience. Renewable Energy: Solar Electric Nisswa, MN – Lutheran Church of the Cross (LCC), Nisswa, Minnesota, will install a 7.56 kW ground- CENTRAL CERTS mounted photovoltaic system producing 9,615 kWhs annually to save 10% on its electric bill. Located on State AgInspire: Renewable Energy Education Kits Highway 371, the project will be a highly visible ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: renewable energy demonstration project for the Energy Efficiency: LowCost/No-Cost Upgrades; Behavior community, which uses the church as an outreach Change; Lighting Upgrades; Renewable Energy: Solar center, and thousands of seasonal visitors to the Electric; Passive Solar; Wind; Biomass/Biofuels Brainerd Lakes area. The project was conceived of and Central, Northwest and Southeast CERT Regions, MN – led by LCC’s Creation Care Team to meet the church’s The Renewable Energy Education Kits project will be a eco-spirituality mission to lead by example in pursuing collection of educational activity kits focused on wind, justice and sustainability for creation through individual solar, biomass/fuel, and general energy concepts. These and community action, learning, and advocacy. kits will be designed to maximize educational technology and interactivity during short 5-10 minute Paws and Claws Animal Shelter: 40 kW Solar Array implementations that inspire and encourage further ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: learning/engagement beyond the event experience. Renewable Energy: Solar Electric These kits will then be taken to a Central MN county fair Hackensack, MN – Paws and Claws Animal Shelter, a 501 during summer 2016 to be used along with our regular (C)(3) non-profit, has an investor willing to build a 40 kW exhibit, the Ag Cab Lab. solar array using the Third Party PPA financing model. Through this model, Paws and Claws will benefit from Detroit Lakes Public Utilities: Community Solar Project reduced cost power and, after five years, be able to ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: purchase the solar system at a reduced cost. The funding Renewable Energy: Solar electric requested will support technical assistance for the Detroit Lakes, MN – Detroit Lakes Public Utilities (DLPU) project and development of legal documents required to will be installing a 20 kW community solar garden in meet IRS regulations, including the development of a 2016. There will be forty-eight 410-watt panels available Power Purchase Agreement, Land Lease Agreement, Put for purchase. Customers of DLPU will pay an initial and Call Agreement and other documents.

NORTHEAST REGION

Executive Director: Okey Ukaga, [email protected] Learn more: rsdp.umn.edu/northeast

Aquaponics [NEW] provide staffing assistance for specific regional projects. FOCUS AREAS: Special emphasis will be put on climate adaptation Pine Habilitation and Supported Employment (PHASE), planning and projects. The emphasis on climate Nemadji Community Resource Center (NCRC) adaptation follows a series of convenings in 2015 hosted Partner to run an Aquaponics operation to develop in partnership with Climate Generation. sustainable work opportunities for PHASE participants while providing healthy food resources for Nemadji Gitchi-Gami State Trail [NEW] Community Resource Center Meals on Wheels and FOCUS AREAS: Senior Dining. UMN Center for Transportation Studies, Gitchi-Gami Trail Association, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Spoke n Gear Big Falls Campground Expansion [NEW] Bicycle shop, and others FOCUS AREAS: The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission UMN Duluth; Arrowhead Regional Development (ARDC), in collaboration with the Gitchi-Gami Trail Commission (ARDC); City of Big Falls; local businesses, Association (GGTA), Minnesota Department of organizations, and non-profits Transportation (MnDOT), Minnesota Department of Complete a master plan outlining improvements to the Natural Resources (MnDNR), Minnesota’s Lake Superior Big Falls Municipal Campground. The plan will enable the Coastal Program (MLSCP), the University of Minnesota, facility to be considered for Regional designation status and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic will conduct short- and grant funding from the Greater Minnesota Regional duration continuous monitoring to capture trail user Parks and Trails Commission. counts along the 29 constructed miles of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail (GGST) during June, July, August, and City of Sandstone Community Engaged Planning [NEW] September 2016. FOCUS AREAS: UMN Center for Sustainable Building Research, City of Hartley Nature Center Solar plus Storage Upgrade Sandstone, City Boards and Commissions such as the [NEW] Economic Development Administration, Planning & Park FOCUS AREAS: Commissions, Quality of Life and Economic Development UMN Duluth Department of Mechanical and Industrial Task Forces and other stakeholders Engineering, City of Duluth, Ecolibrium3, Hartley Nature Bring together members of City of Sandstone’s Center, general public community and representatives from key city boards and Replace the old inverters on an existing solar commissions to envision possibilities for a sustainable installation. This provides a great opportunity to add future for the City of Sandstone. This will allow ways to energy storage creating a solar plus storage respond to emerging opportunities and initiatives such as demonstration project. The project would demonstrate the new business and medical facilities, the development the additive value of energy storage, particularly Li-Ion of a regional park, and the proposed Northern Lights batteries, to a solar installation, including backup power Express passenger train layover and service facility. for emergency services, peak load management, and the expanded use of solar power throughout a 24-hour time Conservation Corps serves Natural Resources Focus cycle. While these values have been studied nationally, Area they have not been well documented in MN or in the NE FOCUS AREAS: MN market in particular. UMN Extension, RSDP Rose Clarke and Natural Resource Work Groups, Conservation Corps of MN and IA A Conservation Corps member is assisting RSDP staff in building capacity for its Natural Resources Focus Area. By attending meetings with the natural resources work groups, Corps member will be able to share projects, approaches, and insights across the program, and

Itasca County Master Gardeners Spring Workshop – Create a five-year strategic plan for agricultural Relying on the Land [NEW] development that will lead to a sustainable local food FOCUS AREAS: system. UMN Extension; North Central Research and Outreach Center (NCROC); Itasca County; Itasca County Master Itasca Area Community Marketing Taskforce Gardeners; area nurseries, florists and garden centers; FOCUS AREAS: garden clubs; local garden décor artisans UMN Duluth Center for Economic Development, Itasca The project will be a workshop to inform and educate Area Community Marketing Taskforce community and area residents on: effective practices in Enable major Itasca area partners to provide effective gardening techniques; landscaping methods that benefit and efficient communication and marketing for Itasca our ; and awareness, prevention, County residents, new residents, and visitors. and control of pests and diseases that harm our native trees and plants Local Food on the North Shore of Lake Superior FOCUS AREAS: Solar Potential Mapping Application for the City of UMN Duluth, Sugar Loaf Cove, Wolf Ridge Environmental Duluth [NEW] Learning Center, WTIP FOCUS AREAS: WTIP radio station establish partnerships, gather Ecolibrium3, UMN Duluth, Energy Transition Lab (ETL), information, and produce a series of at least eight audio and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) features and two accompanying videos that highlight the in partnership with the City of Duluth and the Great and food systems work being Plains Institute (GPI) done locally. The audio features will be broadcast on Create the template for an interactive, public-facing, WTIP at least twice each, and the audio and video value-added solar map for UMD and the City of Duluth, features will be archived on WTIP’s website (wtip.org) in utilizing the UMD campus and two other Duluth order to increase public access to information. neighborhoods as proof of concept regions. Mesabi Trail Story Map Sustainability Matters [NEW] FOCUS AREAS: FOCUS AREAS: Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, Club UMN Duluth Iron Range Engineering, Extension Mesabi Leadership and Civic Engagement, UMN Extension Create an interactive Story Map for the Mesabi Trail, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, CERTs, UMN which will give viewers a virtual tour of the Trail that Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability includes a dynamic map of the trail and its surrounding Sustainability Matters is a monthly series exploring the communities, point of view video, photographs of Trail connections between our environment, economy, and highlights, and elevation profiles. The Mesabi Trail communities (irpsmn.org/sustainability-matters). website will provide a direct link to the Story Map.

Cook County Comprehensive Trails Plan Our Big Backyard: Connecting the University of FOCUS AREAS: Minnesota North Central Research and Outreach Center UMN Duluth, Arrowhead Regional Development Resources to the Grand Rapids Community’s Local Food Commission, Cook County Needs The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission FOCUS AREAS: (ARDC) is providing professional services to Cook County UMN Extension, UMN Extension SNAP-Ed, UMN NCROC, in order to help the County develop a comprehensive Grand Itasca Clinic, Itasca County Public Health, Second plan for the enhancement and propagation of all types of Harvest Food Bank trails within Cook County, Minnesota. Provide access to U of M NCROC garden plots and garden education resources, and to integrate unused local food Grand Portage Community Agriculture Strategic into local food systems. Planning Project FOCUS AREAS: UMN Extension, Cook County, Grand Portage Construction/Land Development, Grand Portage Health Services, Grand Portage Health-SNAP-Ed Educator, Grand Portage Trust Lands

St Louis River Trail and Scanlon River Park Design Cook County Local Energy Project: Energy Skills Share FOCUS AREAS: ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: UMN Duluth, Arrowhead Regional Development Energy Efficiency: Behavior change; Building Envelope; Commission, Carlton County, City of Cloquet, City of Lighting Upgrades Renewable Energy: Solar thermal hot Scanlon, Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce Trails water; Solar electric Committee, Minnesota Power, Minnesota Department of Cook County, MN – Energy Skills Share is a series of Transportation, Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal events that emphasize sustainability energy practices. Program, Sappi Fine Paper, Western Lake Superior This collaboration is between Cook County Local Energy Sanitary District Project (CCLEP) and North House Folk School (NHFS). The Conduct a public design process that determines a project will expand upon NHFS’s Makin’It Through feasible and desirable route for the extension of the St. Winter Series to include energy-related curriculum Louis River Trail through the City of Scanlon and Scanlon created by CCLEP. Through film, renewable solar system River Park to the City of Cloquet. Other enhancements to demonstration, hands-on energy efficiency skills, and Scanlon River Park will be designed as well. story-telling, Energy Skills Share will engage the local community and visiting public with fun, informative Sustainable Development Research Opportunity evening sessions. Program (SDROP) Ecolibrium 3: Giving Comfort at Home FOCUS AREAS: UMN Duluth CLA’s Center for Sustainable Community ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Development, UMN Duluth Office of Sustainability, and Energy Efficiency: Low-Cost/No-Cost Upgrades; Behavior numerous local groups and UMN Duluth students Change; Building Envelope; Lighting Upgrades Duluth, MN – Giving Comfort At Home (GC@H) is a SDROP provides UMD students an opportunity to work closely with a variety of NE MN communities on various volunteer-driven program under the supervision of sustainable development projects. Students gain the qualified Ecolibrium3 staff serving income-eligible, elderly, disabled and/or veteran homeowners who have valuable research and project design and implementation experiences that only “real-life” the need for home energy improvements/repairs, but community projects can provide, and community may not qualify for weatherization assistance or low- partners benefit from community service provided by interest loans. The secondary application of this program will be as a training opportunity for income-advantaged quality students. homeowners so they can complete work on their own Visitor Profiles of the Itasca County Area homes, thereby extending energy efficiency knowledge and application beyond this program. This supervised FOCUS AREAS: training will occur as part of volunteer time by these UMN Extension, UMN Tourism Center, Itasca County, homeowners on a GC@H home. Visit Grand Rapids Conduct a four-season intercept study to gain a Friends of the Finland Community: LED Upgrades at the comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and Clair Nelson Center spending patterns of visitors who visit the Grand Rapids ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: destination area and neighboring communities in Itasca Energy Efficiency: Lighting Upgrades County during different times of the year. Finland, MN – This project will replace 10 outdoor metal halide light fixtures with LED fixtures resulting in safer, NORTHEAST CERTS more energy efficient and cost effective lighting for the Clair Nelson Finland Community Center. Everything we City of Biwabik: City Hall LED Retrofit do here has a community aspect. The Center is a high ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: traffic facility used by a diverse array of people from a Energy Efficiency: Lighting Upgrades variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Keeping the Clair Biwabik, MN – This project will be a lighting retrofit for Nelson Center running is one of the biggest things the the City Hall offices. City Hall is the heart of the Biwabik Friends of the Finland Community does and any way to community and many community members and citizens reduce the cost of operating the Center will stretch their from surrounding communities visit the building and limited budget and allow for more focus on offering would be able to observe the results of the project. The programs and services. key goals of the project are to replace older inefficient T- 12 fluorescent lighting fixtures in the City Hall building with modern efficient LED lighting fixtures. This project will save electric energy and costs to the city as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Minnesota Discovery Center: Educational Solar PV will participate in a day-long outdoor experiential Project leadership development workshop, hands-on service ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: learning with MNIPLARN volunteers and Ecolibrium3, and Renewable Energy: Solar Electric sustained mentorship to support youth in mobilizing Chisholm, MN – Minnesota Discovery Center seeks to their faith communities to take individual and collective install a solar photovoltaic array in a highly visible area action to reduce their carbon footprint through energy for educational purposes. A nearby museum display will efficiency and renewable energy. include interpretive information for visitors to learn about solar energy and relate this on-site installation Orr Recreation and Resource Center: Orr Center LED with its real-world impacts. Exit, Emergency, and Security Lighting Project ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Arrowhead Energy Efficiency: Lighting Upgrades Regional Network (MNIPL ARN): Youth Be the Spark in Orr, MN – The ORR Center’s goal is to be self-sustainable, NE MN Faith Communities and to promote energy efficiency and current ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: technologies. The installation of four new wood burning Energy Efficiency: Low-Cost/No-Cost Upgrades; Behavior boilers is currently under way to provide heat and hot Change; Renewable Energy water in the building. Installation of solar panels is Duluth, MN – The project will engage youth from planned for the future to provide electrical power. The communities of faith in the Duluth area in developing key goal of the LED lighting project is to provide more their commitment, knowledge and skills to lead in energy efficient and economical lighting. reduction at home and in their faith communities. Youth

NORTHWEST REGION

Executive Director: Linda Kingery, [email protected] Learn more: rsdp.umn.edu/northwest

Bemidji Community Food Shelf – Raised Bed Gardens project working with Native youth, community, FOCUS AREAS: collaborative partners, and our elders in cooking and UMN Extension (Deb Dilley, Terry Nennich), Bemidji gardening. Community Food Shelf, Developmental Achievement Center Crookston Destiny Driver – Sustainability The Bemidji Community Food Shelf Farm engaged FOCUS AREAS: community members in gardening by providing raised UMN Crookston (Dan Svedarsky, DeAndra O’Connell), bed containers, soil, plants, and instruction to at least City of Crookston, Polk-Norman-Mahnomen SHIP five households in one housing complex in Bemidji. We Crookston and UM Crookston collaborate to advance also offered Cooking Matters classes through the U of M implementation of three of the principles of the Extension SNAP-Ed Program. sustainability drivers for the Crookston InMotion initiative, which align with GreenStep practices. A Cass Clay Food System Blueprints coordinator will assist the City of Crookston and UM FOCUS AREAS: Crookston with the implementation of practices that are UMN Extension (Abby Gold, Noelle Harden), Cass Clay designed to create a better quality of life for residents of Food System Commission Crookston. Short-term actions include: community The Cass Clay Food Systems Initiative recently completed engagement, energy efficiency of residential and the formation of the Cass Clay Food Systems Advisory industrial infrastructure, a community garden, and Commission. This group will work across Cass and Clay improvements in walk and bikeability. counties to increase access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food for Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area Design for Lake Region Takes Root Garden residents by strengthening all aspects of the local food FOCUS AREAS: system. One of the key goals of this initiative is to UMN College of Design (Virajita Singh, Alex Thill), Lake address necessary policy and systems changes in order to Region Hospital, Partnership4Health (Jason Bergstrand) improve the food system. The Steering Committee chose The Design for Community Resilience program uses an to develop a series of food policy blueprints, intended to interactive design process to assess garden site, research provide recommendations for local governments design options, and complete a master plan for the site interested in addressing the local food economy and to maximize land use and efficiency. Students will also food access through policy and programs. These investigate options to use renewable resources such as blueprints will serve as guiding documents to understand water harvesting and on-site or off-site composting. the issue, what potential benefits or negative outcomes the community can expect to experience from addressing Conservation Corps serves Natural Resources Focus or not addressing the issue, and to review other Area communities food system policies to understand how FOCUS AREAS: certain policies/ordinances have been written, impacts, UMN Extension, RSDP Rose Clarke and Natural Resource and how they have been received. Work Groups, Conservation Corps of MN and IA A Conservation Corps member is assisting RSDP staff in Community Gardens for Healthy Food Access building capacity for its Natural Resources Focus Area. By FOCUS AREAS: attending meetings with the natural resources work UMN Extension (Megan Janssen, Brian Fredrickson), groups, Corps member will be able to share projects, White Earth Tribal and Community College, Bright Sky approaches, and insights across the program, and Garden, Stable Days Youth Ranch provide staffing assistance for specific regional projects. Churches United will create the Bright Sky Garden as a Special emphasis will be put on climate adaptation community garden on the parcel of land in south planning and projects. The emphasis on climate Moorhead, future location of a supportive housing adaptation follows a series of convenings in 2015 hosted complex. White Earth Tribal and Community College in partnership with Climate Generation. creates a garden program which is a multi-generational

Friends of Norris Camp – Comprehensive Plan Local Food and Small Farm Education FOCUS AREAS: FOCUS AREAS: UMN Extension (Stephan Carlson), UMN Crookston UMN Extension (Jim Stordahl) (Shaolei Jin Gizibbii), RC&D (John Beckwith), This project will focus on education to increase the Conservation Corps (Alison Agresta) production and availability of locally produced foods. Norris Camp is a historic Civilian Conservation Corps This will be accomplished by various educational camp that is located within the Beltrami Island State opportunities with a focus on local, sustainable plant and Forest and is the headquarters for the Red Lake Wildlife livestock production. Topics to be addressed for crops Management Area. The project idea is to team University are seed selection, nutrient management, rotation of of Minnesota and other experts with the Friends of crops, pest management, harvest, and storage. For Norris Camp, the Giziibii Resource Conservation and livestock it will focus on nutrition, disease management, Development Association (RC&D), the MN Historical and forage production. Society, the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the general public to come up with a master plan for Nature Play Meets Accessible Play at EHES the use, preservation, and maintenance of Norris Camp. FOCUS AREAS: There is a lot of history at Norris Camp to be better UMN College of Design (Virajita Singh, Alex Thill), IonE interpreted, and the site location itself offers significant (Jonee Brigham), Ellen Hopkins Elementary School, River opportunity for environmental education and tourism. Keepers Ellen Hopkins Elementary School wishes to enhance I Can Prevent Diabetes nature play on its campus, and specifically focus on FOCUS AREAS: accessibility for those with physical disabilities. The UMN Extension (Deb Dilley and Terry Nennich), Bemidji project also engages artists and watershed education. Area Farmers Market, Sanford Health This builds on NW RSDP's portfolio of design projects. The I Can Prevent Diabetes series is currently being taught by Deb Dilley, SNAP-Ed Educator with the Newfolden River Restoration University of Minnesota Extension/Health and Nutrition FOCUS AREAS: Program. This is a year-long series of classes being UMN Crookston (student Rylee Peterson), Mayor of conducted weekly for 16 weeks, and then twice a month Newfolden (Lori Warne), Gail Larson, Dave Bennett for 2 months, and finally once a month for 6 months. The Newfolden River Restoration Committee intends to Each participant in the ICPD series is receiving Farmers gather and evaluate environmental, historical, financial, Market Vouchers, starting in week 12, for the amount of and cultural data to help determine the feasibility and $20 a week. These Farmers Market Vouchers are to be phasing of developing the recreational and educational used to purchase healthful food for their diet in uses of the Middle River. This data will provide the improving lifestyle changes towards preventing diabetes. information needed to develop a long-term plan for eventual utilization of the Middle River for the stated King of Trails Highway 75 Coalition purposes. It is expected that the Middle River FOCUS AREAS: development will be laid out in phases related to the UMN Crookston (student Shaolie Jin), NWRSDP financial considerations and the level of community King of Trails Coalition, Explore Minnesota Tourism involvement. A UM Crookston student was hired to identify contacts, improve communications, and create greater awareness Red River Canoe and Kayak Excursions and support from communities along the Historic King of FOCUS AREAS: Trails Scenic Byway. RSDP Natural Resources Work Group, Moorhead City Park Lake of the Woods Historical Society - County Museum Project supports Canoe and Kayak Excursions on the Red Grounds Enhancement Plan River. Each excursion has a different main topic. Some FOCUS AREAS: topics are History of Saloons on the Red River, Ecosystem UMN Extension (Jody Horntvedt); College of Design Scavenger Hunt, Bird Watching, and Fishing. (Christopher Sticka); LOW Historical Society The Lake of the Woods Historical Society intends to develop an overall plan for the museum grounds that will incorporate a rain garden (slowing the flow of water and showcasing native plants), local history displays (murals, kid-friendly interactive activities, etc.) , and establish a new main entry (including signage and parking).

RESTORE Western Minnesota Science Clubs FOCUS AREAS: FOCUS AREAS: UMN Extension (Stephan Carlson), Riverkeepers UM Extension Margo Bowerman, Western Minnesota (Christine Laney), Earth Partnership (Rich Hall) Science Fair A collaborative initiative with the Moorhead Area Public The Western Minnesota Regional Science Fair is an Schools and private schools, River Keepers, Minnesota opportunity for youth in grades 6 – 12 to delve deep into State University-Moorhead's Regional Science Center, the science or engineering process. Science Fair topics City of Moorhead, and other regional watershed cover a wide range of topics, many of which are resource organizations will enhance existing local applicable to the sustainability focus areas identified by environmental education efforts. This project will Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. Science integrate Earth Partnership Water Stewardship, place clubs at six schools will increase participation in the and project-based professional development, and science fair. community engagement into in-service training and a week-long summer institute for educators and NORTHWEST CERTS community partners. This will lead to service-learning projects for riparian restoration, habitat restoration, and AgInspire: Renewable Energy Education Kits storm water mitigation and education at schools and ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: community sites. Energy Efficiency: Low-Cost/No-Cost Upgrades; Behavior Change; Lighting Upgrades; Renewable Energy: Solar SFA Sustainable Sheep Community Electric; Passive Solar; Wind; Biomass/Biofuels FOCUS AREAS: Northwest, Central, and Southeast CERT Regions, MN – UMN Extension (Wayne Martin), RSDP’s Constance The Renewable Energy Education Kits project will be a Carlson, Margo Bowerman, Sustainable Farming collection of educational activity kits focused on wind, Association (Alethea Kenney) solar, biomass/fuel, and general energy concepts. These The Sustainable Sheep Community Project revitalizes the kits will be designed to maximize educational technology sheep industry in northern Minnesota with a focus on and interactivity during short 5-10 minute sustainability, local meat, and fiber production. The implementations that inspire and encourage further Sustainable Sheep Community Project puts jobs back into learning/engagement beyond the event experience. the community, supports local businesses related to These kits will then be taken to a Northwest Minnesota meat and fiber, educates consumers and youth, and county fair during summer 2016 to be used along with supports local, sustainable fiber/textile production. Two the regular exhibit, the Ag Cab Lab. events per year support this endeavor, the Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Farming event (February) and the Headwaters Regional Development Council (HRDC): Fosston Fiber Festival (October). Northwest Clean Energy Financing-Beltrami County ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Sponsorships and Scholarships Energy Efficiency: Low-Cost/No-Cost Upgrades; Behavior FOCUS AREAS: Change; Building Envelope; Lighting Upgrades; Supported by NWRSDP Renewable Energy: Solar Air Heat; Solar Thermal Hot Includes Grower Buyer Networking Event hosted by TRF Water; Solar Electric Growing Forward, Scholarships to MFMA Market Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Academy, NW Minnesota Historical Society’s inventory of Mahnomen counties, MN – The HRDC’s region faces log cabins. many challenges. It is one of the most poverty stricken areas of the state and also one of the coldest. Utility bills We’ll Pick up the Tab in the winter can put families as well as businesses and FOCUS AREAS: organizations into a very tough spot when money is UMN Extension SNAP-Ed Educators, farmers markets in already tight. Energy efficiency upgrades and renewable northwest Minnesota energy installations are often not initiated due to high This project would provide the farmers markets in the up-front costs. We will address this barrier in a two- NW region an opportunity to introduce sampling of more pronged approach, conducting education and outreach diverse and common vegetables to shoppers attending on financing opportunities individually targeted to: 1) the market. governments, schools, tribes, businesses, and non- profits; and 2) our low-Income population.

Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians: Red Lake Charter energy use. They plan to have the students calculate the School / Business Incubator current energy consumption and predict future usage. ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: The school will evaluate the reduction in energy Energy Efficiency: Low-cost/ no-cost upgrades; Building consumption with installing motion sensor light switches. Envelope; Lighting Upgrades; Renewable Energy: TBD by audit and planning process White Earth Land Recovery Project: White Earth Red Lake Reservation, MN – Red Lake Band of Chippewa Community Solar Install Indians, its Red Lake Entrepreneur Program (RLEP) and ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: emerging Charter School will work with a professional, Energy Efficiency: Behavior change; Renewable Energy: certified commercial energy auditor to conduct either a Solar air heat Level II or Level III energy audit of the RL Humanities White Earth Reservation, MN – White Earth Reservation Center to repurpose and upgrade the building as a has huge un-actualized potential for renewable energy. business incubator and school. The project will educate Not only is the reservation solar- and wind-rich, but the the community and other RL business and government tribe has had training programs in renewables. It is a goal entities through a highly visible project on the value and of the White Earth Land Recovery Project to further opportunity in energy efficiency and renewable energy actualize some of this potential by installing solar heaters for the Red Lake Reservation. in community homes and sharing the knowledge as an active community education program through its radio Voyageurs Expeditionary School: Keep the Lights Out, station KKWE, Niijii Broadcasting. Project will improve Energy Reduction the livelihoods and quality of life for tribal families on the ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: White Earth Reservation with the installation of efficient Energy Efficiency; Lighting upgrades solar air heating systems on homes. Bemidji, MN – Voyageurs Expeditionary School will install light sensors in each classroom to reduce electrical

SOUTHEAST REGION

Executive Director: Erin Meier, [email protected] Learn more: rsdp.umn.edu/southeast

Conservation Corps/RSDP Natural Resources footage of the lake and community members, and Focus Area support [NEW] animation of the sedimentation process will explain the FOCUS AREAS: threats and proposed solutions. Lyrics and images will UMN RSDPs, UMN Crookston Extension Office, connect people to the lake and celebrate recreational RSDP Natural Resources project partners uses and identities. The video will let people know how All RSDPs are supporting a Conservation Corps member to get involved in supporting solutions and restoration to develop RSDP’s Natural Resources priorities, internal projects. The creatively customized, musically infused University connections, and agency- and community- video will be distributed via social media and outreach based project partners. Rose Clarke, the Conservation events. Corps member, is reviewing past project materials, making personal contacts, designing and hosting Library Collection on Sustainable Development webinars, and highlighting resources and opportunities FOCUS AREAS: via e-newsletters. Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) A public library collection of SERP project reports and Henderson Classic Car Roll In survey [NEW] unique sustainable development materials can be found FOCUS AREAS: online at selco.ent.sirsi.net; search on "Experiment in UMN Extension, UMN Tourism Center, Henderson Classic Rural Cooperation." In FY16, SERP added three books - Car Roll In Committee Forked: A New Standard for American Dining, The Hidden The Henderson Classic Car Roll In is a weekly event aimed Half of Nature, and On Farm Cold Storage of Fall at automobile enthusiasts who park their cars and Harvested Fruit and Vegetable Crops. socialize on the historic Main Street of Henderson. This event has been growing in attendance by not only car Lifetrack analysis of success factors in community owners, but Henderson citizens, motorcyclists, and integration of refugees [NEW] regional visitors. Attendance ranges from 250 to over FOCUS AREAS: 400 cars per week with 1,000 to 2,000 people attending. UMN Center for Urban and Regional Affairs Community To help the coordinating committee better understand Assistantship Program, Lifetrack how to keep this event successful, meet budget needs, This research examined the partnership between and build community support, Extension and the UMN Lifetrack, Quality Pork Processors, Vietnamese Social Tourism Center, with funding help from SERP, are Services, and the Austin Welcome Center to better designing a survey of participants that will be understand how this collaboration has fostered implemented this season. Extension will also meet with economic success, a welcoming atmosphere in Austin, Main Street business owners to characterize the Roll In’s and successful integration of refugees relocating from economic impact. the Twin Cities. The student researcher analyzed the effectiveness of community partnerships in helping Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance outreach video [NEW] Karen and Karenni refugees relocate and integrate. FOCUS AREAS: Previous research found that welcoming, receptive UMN Communication Studies, School of Music, and communities are important to the long-term Institute on the Environment (IonE), along with Atomic K resettlement success for refugees. This research Studios and volunteer musicians and singers; Lake Pepin considered Lifetrack’s specific partnerships to Legacy Alliance understand if, how, and why these have created a To develop broad public support required to pursue welcoming community as well as the overall impact of large-scale habitat and water quality restoration projects relocation on refugees and their families. at the head of Lake Pepin, a first step is to enhance awareness around an issue largely removed from the public eye – the rapid changes resulting from sedimentation primarily occurring under the surface of the water. A short educational video with original music,

Scholarships – Human Capital Fund [NEW] • SE MN Together workforce convenings and FOCUS AREAS: economic design team visits – SERP is a core SERP provides scholarships of up to $200 for Southeast committee member and co-sponsor of this residents to attend conferences and workshops. In FY16, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation SERP supported these events: funded project to host convenings to encourage regional collaboration around issues of • Conservation in Action bus tour workforce development. In addition, SERP is the • National fundraising training lead partner in bringing two communities • Transforming Sustainability Education (The expertise via "economic design team" visits to Association for the Advancement of create a set of tools to encourage economic and Sustainability in Higher Education) workforce development at a local level. • U-Lead Advisory Academy • MN Climate Adaptation conference Fiber Supply Chain Study • Mead-making workshop FOCUS AREAS: • MOSES conference RSDP Mary J. Page Community-University Fund, UMN • Farmers markets workshops Center for Urban and Regional Affairs Community • Land Ethic at Work workshop Assistantship Program, Natural Fiber Alliance The Natural Fiber Alliance formed in 2014 after its • Child and Nature international conference founding group surveyed the production and needs of Sponsorships and Collaborations [NEW] fiber farmers statewide and launched an annual Sheep and Fiber tour in Southeast Minnesota. The Alliance FOCUS AREAS: approached SERP for help with a research project to SERP also provides sponsorship support to a limited explore the needs of players along the supply chain and number of events in which SERP is involved, and engages identify opportunities to develop additional demand for in organizational collaborations that require additional locally produced fiber, especially in the form of value- staff and board member time. Often these collaborations added products. With RSDP’s help, the Alliance applied develop new partners and lead to formal projects. SERP’s for and was awarded a semester of graduate research collaborations included: through RSDP’s Mary Page Community-University Partnership Fund, administered by the UMN Center for • Climate Adaptation Convenings – RSDPs Urban and Regional Affairs. Zhiyou Yang, a PhD candidate statewide collaborated with Climate Generation in Applied Economics, was hired for fall semester 2015 to (A Will Steger Legacy) to host convenings across design and implement a survey of Upper Midwest Minnesota. Southeast Minnesota convenings manufacturers and wool processors. His research was were held in Owatonna, Mankato, and extended for an additional semester through spring 2016 Rochester. The purpose was to inform with pooled funds from Central, Southeast, and Minnesotans of the consequences of climate Southwest RSDPs to finalize analysis of survey results and change and to learn what innovations and help design next steps to creating new markets. strategies they are considering and deploying at household, farmstead, and community levels to Main Street Project – Production Manual & Model adapt to a changing environment. Verification

FOCUS AREAS: • FEAST Local Food Network - SERP sponsored UMN Applied Economics, Bioproducts/Biosystems the second-annual FEAST Local Food Festival & Engineering, Environmental Health Sciences, Extension, Trade Show held in December 2015 at the Food Science and Nutrition, and Soil-Water-Climate, Rochester Civic Center. SERP is a member of Water Resources Center; Main Street Project the FEAST Local Food Network, which grew out Main Street Project has developed a model to create an of a collective impact process hosted by the avenue into agricultural entrepreneurship for low- Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and income immigrants via high-quality, sustainable Renewing the Countryside. The network is a agricultural production. The method produces a pastured partnership of many organizations, businesses, poultry product; incorporates an alternative feeding and individuals committed to growing a system of forages and sprouted grain on small plots; and sustainable, regional food system which aims to improve soil health for crops by incorporating encourages innovation. FEAST Local Food poultry and perennials in the same system. SERP brought Network is a finalist for the 2016 Environmental in a retired Extension Educator to edit and augment Main Initiative Awards in the Food Stewardship Street Project’s Free Range Meat Poultry Production Category.

Manual. An Applied Economics graduate student Zumbro Watershed Educational/Recreational Sites developed a production and sales cost profile for the FOCUS AREAS: chicken-side of the system. The team was awarded a UMN Center for Changing Landscapes (CCL), UMN Healthy Food, Healthy Lives Institute Community- Extension, Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, University Partnership Grant to research and verify food Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources safety and nutritional health aspects of the model in (LCCMR), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2014. A current set of SERP-funded research projects are Zumbro Watershed Partnership (ZWP) finalizing that validation by evaluating worker health and The Zumbro River Watershed is an underutilized and safety, examining labor and profitability impacts, overlooked recreational asset. It is a unique, diverse, and measuring production efficiency, and by further beautiful landscape of great environmental sensitivity. To supporting human health and safety evaluation with the personally connect citizens with their river resource, ZWP collection of additional data. and CCL proposed the idea of developing sites where citizens can learn to play an active role in reducing National Trout Center flooding and pollution. Six to eight accessible, visible FOCUS AREAS: public recreational sites that promote fishing, boating, UMN Center for Rural Design, National Trout Center picnicking, and other activities are being designed and The mission of the National Trout Center is “to conserve developed across the watershed and will include water the natural and cultural heritage of trout and their cold- quality demonstration elements and informational water environments by engaging the public through kiosks. SERP funding and coordination of U of MN education, practice and awareness.” SERP has supported resources contributed to the team being awarded development of a concept master plan for constructing a $300,000 for the project from the LCCMR. permanent home; a study about using online wiki communication and reference tools; and, this past year, SOUTHEAST CERTS the final compilation of mapping data on trout stream easements. The mapping project provides anglers with AgInspire: RenewableEnergyEducationKits comparatively accurate information about the location of ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: public easements along trout streams in Southeast Energy Efficiency: Low-Cost/No-Cost Upgrades; Behavior Minnesota. Maps were created using publicly available Change; Lighting Upgrades; Renewable Energy: Solar MN DNR data and produced as letter-sized Adobe Electric; Passive Solar; Wind; Biomass/Biofuels Acrobat pdf files that are readily printed or opened on Southeast, Central, and Northwest CERT Regions, MN – laptops, tablets, or smart phones. Maps will be available The Renewable Energy Education Kits project will be a to print this summer at a special kiosk at the trout collection of educational activity kits focused on wind, center. solar, biomass/fuel, and general energy concepts. These kits will be designed to maximize educational technology SE MN Wastewater Initiative Educational Videos [NEW] and interactivity during short 5-10 minute FOCUS AREAS: implementations that inspire and encourage further UMN Journalism students, Cannon River Watershed learning/engagement beyond the event experience. Partnership These kits will then be taken to a Southeast Minnesota The SE MN Wastewater Initiative (SMWI) of the Cannon county fair during summer 2016 to be used along with River Watershed Partnership works with small the regular exhibit, the Ag Cab Lab. communities in an 11-county area of SE MN to help upgrade wastewater treatment systems by providing Lake Crystal Municipal Utility: Beat the Peak Program education and technical assistance. Many very small ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: communities do not have municipal treatment for their Energy Efficiency: Behavior change wastewater and need to upgrade their systems. Since Lake Crystal, MN – Lake Crystal Municipal Utilities’ 2002, SMWI has helped 22 small communities upgrade (LCMU) voluntary “Beat the Peak” program is designed to sewer systems, eliminating 317,290 gallons of untreated help customers become more energy aware and lower sewage per day from entering the lakes, streams, and their power bills by using energy more efficiently and rivers. This project involves creating video clips to reducing the energy consumed during peak usage complement SMWI's Small Community Wastewater periods. When LCMU identifies a "peak," participants will Solutions book. The video clips will be interviews with be asked to turnoff unnecessary lights and appliances community leaders from previous community projects to and delay use of major appliances. Additionally, help those in communities just starting the process participants will be entered into an energy savings understand the range of options and learn from the competition and receive free enrollment in LCMU’s load- experiences and successes of others. management program, a home energy audit from a

member of LCMU’s staff, and a credit on their monthly Rochester Earth Fest: 2016 Expo utility bill. ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Energy Efficiency: Renewable Energy and Additional Ney Nature Center: Harnessing the Power of the Sun Technologies will be highlighted ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Rochester, MN –The 2016 Earth Fest Expo will be on April Energy Efficiency: Behavior change; Renewable Energy: 24, 2016, at the Mayo Civic Center. The one-day Expo is Solar electric the part of the week-long Rochester Earth Fest Henderson, MN –The Ney Nature Center will be installing celebration, which included 20 events in 2015. Earth Fest a solar array, interactive monitoring system, and volunteers worked with Rochester Mayor Brede to interpretive display to demonstrate and interpret this develop the “100% Renewable Energy by technology while using the electricity produced within 2031”proclamation and this will be the theme of the day-to-day operations. This solar array system will bring event, promoted through speakers, vendors, resources, the issues of our dependence on fossil fuels and provide and classes. insight to alternative energy to the attention of park visitors, program participants, and the local community. St. Dominic Parish: Communicating our Progress on Energy Savings Project Region Nine Development Commission: Community ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Solar Garden Workshops Energy Efficiency: Low Cost/No-Cost Upgrades; Behavior ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Change; Building Envelope; Lighting Upgrades; change Renewable Energy: Solar Electric from steam to hot water boiler Southeast, Southwest, and West Central CERT Regions, Northfield, MN – Students will inventory all the MN – This project is to develop and conduct three appliances and electronic equipment in every room of St. community solar garden-focused workshops in Region Dominic School, test how much energy they use, and find Nine (9 counties surrounding Mankato). The primary the most energy-wasting equipment – the energy hogs. objectives of the workshop are to educate potential solar Students will label the energy uses and present their garden subscribers and help them make an informed inventory and alternatives at an energy fair where other decision about participating as a community solar garden students, parents, and parishioners are invited. Inventory subscriber. A secondary objective of the workshops is to will include the new LED lighting and boiler. educate potential landowners interested in serving as host sites about solar garden land leases.

SOUTHWEST REGION

Executive Director: David Fluegel, [email protected] Learn more: rsdp.umn.edu/southwest

CERTS: “Helping Make Rural Grocery Store More Energy Hmong Community Celebratory [NEW] Efficient” [NEW] FOCUS AREAS: FOCUS AREAS: UMN Morris Studio Art faculty, Preserve Language UMN Extension, CERTs Adolescence and Cultural Education (PLACE), City of The CERTs staff will provide rural grocery store owners Walnut Grove primarily in Southwest Minnesota with detailed, A group of young Hmong residents in the Walnut Grove- systematic assistance with navigating the programs and Tracy area have organized to help their community funding opportunities available to make their grocery celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hmong families living in stores more energy efficient. Southwest Minnesota. PLACE members have developed a concept for a work of art to honor the heritage of the Conservation Corps serves Natural Resources Focus Hmong community. A UMN Morris Studio Art faculty Area member will assist the group with planning, project FOCUS AREAS: development, and fundraising activities. UMN Extension, RSDP Rose Clarke and Natural Resource Work Groups, Conservation Corps of MN and IA Master Plan for Conservation and Recreation – MN A Conservation Corps member is assisting RSDP staff in River Valley [NEW] building capacity for its Natural Resources Focus Area. By FOCUS AREAS: attending meetings with the natural resources work UMN Morris Center for Small Towns, Minnesota groups, Corps member will be able to share projects, Department of Natural Resources, Redwood County, approaches, and insights across the program, and Renville County provide staffing assistance for specific regional projects. This is a unique collaboration between these Special emphasis will be put on climate adaptation organizations. Students will be hired to complete GIS planning and projects. The emphasis on climate mapping of the area and also to conduct a field study of adaptation follows a series of convenings in 2015 hosted flora and fauna with information used in developing the in partnership with Climate Generation. Master Plan.

Five County Local Food Study [NEW] Natural Fiber Alliance – Phase 2 Research FOCUS AREAS: [NEW] UMN Extension, Upper Minnesota Valley Regional FOCUS AREAS: Development Commission (UMVRDC), Countryside Public UMN graduate student, Natural Fiber Alliance, Fiber Health-Statewide Health Improvement Program Farmers, SE and Central RSDPs The Upper Minnesota Valley RDC region includes Big The goal of this project is to support, sustain, and expand Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift, and Yellow the markets for Minnesota fiber farmers by growing the Medicine counties. A team of UMVRDC, Countryside fiber economy through research, collaboration, Public Health-SHIP, and SWRSDP staff will co-design a education, and innovation. A UMN graduate student will process that brings people together to determine the research the types of products available from fiber current local food situation and identify steps to improve farmers, analyze the current USDA sheep/wool census, the local food system. This project will include research investigate supply chain players, and explore new completed by Extension Community Economics staff and product development strategies. a UMN Morris student to help show capacity and identify gaps. The final report will outline the current local foods situation and a prioritized work plan.

Olivia Community Garden [NEW] educational content about purchasing local foods, FOCUS AREAS: including the geographies of West Central and Southwest RSDP Mary J. Page Community-University Fund, UMN Minnesota. The cost of the publication is shared by Buy Center for Urban and Regional Affairs Community Fresh Buy Local grower members and community and Assistantship Program, United Farm Credit Services– University partners. Pride of the Prairie member growers Olivia, Kandiyohi-Renville County SHIP, Renville and adhere to a set of Production Practices that are Redwood County 4-H, Renville County Hospital highlighted in all promotional materials. The SW RSDP The United FCS Olivia has donated three acres of tillable Agriculture/Food Systems Work Group provides acreage alongside their new building location to create a leadership and administrative support. produce garden. This garden is being designed and managed by a board of directors represented by many Connecting Students and Communities area organizations that will focus on benefiting the FOCUS AREAS: regional community by creating jobs and providing fresh, UMN Center for Small Towns, SW RSDP, Central RSDP healthy foods. Through the RSDP Mary J. Page This ongoing program was co-developed and operated Community-University Fund, a UMN graduate student jointly by the Center for Small Towns and the SW RSDP will assist with completing a business plan and non-profit and features an application process for local units of corporation documents. government, schools, non-profits, and community organizations to receive support for projects by UMN Willmar Food Hub [NEW] Morris students. In operation since 2005, Central RSDP FOCUS AREAS: joined in the project in spring 2015. UMN Morris students, Willmar Downtown Development Inc., Willmar Area Multicultural Marketplace, MinnWest Deep Winter Producers Association Technology Campus FOCUS AREAS: This project will assist the Willmar Downtown UMN Morris (Carol Ford), Bush Foundation Development, Inc., to further develop the Willmar Food This project is funded by the Bush Foundation. The goals Hub. This includes overseeing the renovation of an 8,000 of this two-year project are to 1) develop a mutual sq. ft. building in downtown Willmar which will house a assistance network of small-scale, sustainable-foods commercial teaching kitchen, a smaller kitchen entrepreneurs in West Central Minnesota who use high- incubator, and private local food-based businesses. efficiency winter greenhouses; 2) build a model Program activities include growing produce in off-site distribution system for winter greenhouse producers to greenhouses and food plots. Products include policies, connect with retailers and consumers of locally grown price lists, local grower contracts, and marketing plan. produce; and 3) serve as a model for other types of Students from UMN Morris will assist with developing producers to distribute locally grown produce. procedures and overseeing food production. Fairmont Market Square

Brandt Gardens FOCUS AREAS: UMN, Fairmont Farmers Market, Fairmont Public FOCUS AREAS: Schools, Rural Advantage, Youth Groups, Community UMN Extension Community Economics, UMN CFANS Education, Private Business, Downtown Association Post-harvest Food Safety, Brandt Gardens and The goal of the project is to build a community “social & Greenhouse market destination” that supports locally grown foods; This project supports the growth of local food producers increases consumption of local foods purchased at the in Southwest Minnesota by providing information/ Fairmont Farmer’s Market; supports sales of locally insights on business development issues around food grown food and products; increases awareness of our safety, reaching the senior market, and the potential agricultural heritage; supports local recreational selling point of local food being more nutrient dense. resources; creates a hip, fun environment to energize

citizens; and utilizes progressive social marketing Buy Fresh Buy Local techniques to reach larger and “new” audiences. FOCUS AREAS: UMN Extension Community Economics, UMN Morris, Hazelnut Market Development Land Stewardship Project FOCUS AREAS: This is an ongoing partnership project that features a RSDP Mary J. Page Community-University Fund, UMN Southwest chapter of the Buy Fresh Buy Local national Center for Urban and Regional Affairs Community organization (1 of 70) called “Pride of the Prairie.” The Assistantship Program (CURA-CAP), UMN CFANS faculty, chapter has published a semi-annual regional local foods guide and website featuring growers along with

MN Hazelnut Foundation, SE RSDP, RSDP Statewide-Local hub. The goal of the project is to increase the number of Foods staff school districts with farm-to-school efforts and to Hazelnuts are an emerging industry in Minnesota that is increase the amount of local foods used in area school ready to become commercialized and provide economic districts. This builds on the role the Service Coop has opportunity for small-scale farmers across the state. played in assisting schools with purchasing, and engages Over the last 5 – 15 years at least 50 acres of hazelnuts local growers in creating a food hub. Extension Health were planted in Minnesota that are now coming into full and Nutrition Educators Noelle Harden and Anne production. Hazelnuts are a perennial crop that provides Dybsetter are involved in planning and assessment multiple ecological benefits, especially when strategically phases. placed in the landscape. They produce a nut that supplies numerous health benefits. This research project focused Minnesota River Watershed Reorganization on determining the market potential for hazelnuts and FOCUS AREAS: hazelnut products. The UMN CURA-CAP graduate UMN Extension Water Resources, Coalition for a Clean student was supported with Mary Page Foundation Minnesota River, SE RSDP, numerous groups and citizens funds. Bringing facilitation, strategic planning, and leadership development expertise to citizens desiring to create a Increasing the Distribution of Fresh Fruits and new entity to develop and sustain the ecological, Vegetables economic, and social assets of the Minnesota River FOCUS AREAS: Watershed region. This project is an effort to fill the UMN Extension Health and Nutrition, Chippewa County current void of government leadership left by the recent Foodshelf dissolution of the Minnesota River Board. The goal is to This project supports the Chippewa County Foodshelf to establish a new citizen-inclusive governing entity which increase access to healthy, safe, and affordable food to has the participation, recognition, and validation of the low-income residents by expanding the capacity of the state of Minnesota. foodshelf to utilize donated and locally grown produce. Small Scale Aquaponics Farms King of Trails FOCUS AREAS: FOCUS AREAS: UMN CFANS, UMN Duluth, UMN Extension Community UMN Crookston student, UMN Extension Community Economics, Small Time Aqua Farms Economics, UMN Morris student, UMN Tourism Center, The vision of two young community researchers is to Crookston Chamber of Commerce, Explore Minnesota obtain food and community resilience through Tourism, King of Trails Scenic Byway Association, NW aquaponics by building passive solar greenhouses on RSDP, SW and NW Rural Development Commissions, sites designated through collaboration with Minnesota numerous Chambers of Commerce and EDAs communities and the University of Minnesota. This Since its creation in 1993, the King of Trails Coalition has project supports further research and development by focused its efforts on the promotion, beautification, traveling to active programs/projects in Minnesota and historic interpretation, marketing, and connecting of Wisconsin to learn from current greenhouse communities along Highway 75 from the Canadian to using aquaponics as well as ones that do not. Iowa Border. Because of these efforts, Minnesota Highway 75 was designated as a Scenic Byway in 2008. As Scholarships/ Sponsorships is the case with any long-term project, participants have FOCUS AREAS: aged and changed positions. This project is an effort to UMN Extension, SW RSDP, Community members, Event re-invigorate the coalition and maintain sustainability of hosts the Scenic Byway. An ongoing project with an annual account set up to offer scholarships for Southwest residents to attend Lakes Country Services Cooperative – Fergus Falls Food conferences and workshops (e.g., Symposium on Small Hub Towns, Rural Arts and Culture Summit, Food Access FOCUS AREAS: Summit, Climate Adaptation Conference). The same UMN Extension Health and Nutrition and Community account provides sponsorship funds for events (e.g., Economics, Lakes Country Service Cooperative, West Symposium on Small Towns, Rural Arts and Culture Central Initiative, PartnerSHIP 4 Health, Otter Tail County Summit). Public Health, Clay County Public Health, area growers, school food service directors Lakes Country Service Cooperative, an education service cooperative located in Fergus Falls, is launching a food

SOUTHWEST CERTS City of Trimont: Community Building Heating and Cooling, LED Street Lights City of Hutchinson: Minnesota ENERGY STAR Challenge ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Implementation Energy Efficiency: Building envelope; Lighting Upgrades ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Trimont, MN – The Trimont Community Building is Energy Efficiency: Low-Cost/No-Cost Upgrades; Behavior approximately 25 years old and the heating and cooling Change; Building Envelope; Lighting Upgrades, ENERGY system is original to the building. The building is home to STAR certification the city hall office, council meeting room, police office Hutchinson, MN – The City of Hutchinson has been and a public works shop. The meeting room is frequently accepted as a Minnesota ENERGY STAR® Challenge used by community groups and others for meetings and Community Partner to gain support leading community gatherings. The city will purchase and install a new outreach regarding energy conservation and cost saving system that will save a substantial amount of energy and efforts in the city. The Challenge requests a matching city funds. In addition, the City of Trimont has 21 cash contribution of the services offered to the gooseneck street lights on Main Street and plans to community to offset some of the direct costs of the purchase and install LED heads for existing poles to program. A seed grant will allow the City to provide this provide a safe, efficient, and cost effective source of cash match, lessening financial burdens on the City and lighting for our residents and for visitors to Trimont. partners and ensuring program success. Region Nine Development Commission: Community City of Morris: Morris Model Clean Energy Hub Solar Garden Workshop ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Energy Efficiency: Low-Cost/No-Cost Upgrades; Behavior Renewable Energy: Solar Electric Change; Building Envelope; Lighting Upgrades; HVAC West Central, Southeast and Southwest CERT Regions, Upgrades/Replacement; Renewable Energy: Solar MN – This project is to develop and conduct three thermal hot water; solar electric; Additional community solar garden-focused workshops in Region Technologies: Geothermal Nine (9 counties surrounding Mankato). The primary Morris, MN – The City of Morris, University of Minnesota objectives of the workshop are to educate potential solar Morris, and Eutectics will implement the Morris Model garden subscribers and help them make an informed Clean Energy Hub. The Hub creates a community-based decision about participating as a community solar garden public-private partnership in order to build clean energy subscriber. A secondary objective of the workshops is to financing solutions for all economic sectors within a educate potential landowners interested in serving as region, including small and medium enterprises host sites about solar garden land leases. (commercial and not-for-profit), large commercial and industrial customers, public buildings, and single-family Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP): and multifamily residents. The Hub leverages public and Community Solar Gardens in SW Minnesota private financing tools to create streamlined access for ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: businesses, property owners, and residents to technical Energy Efficiency: Behavior change; Renewable Energy: expertise, qualified contractors, and the financing tools Solar electric to implement clean energy projects. Slayton, MN – SWMHP will work with rural communities, small municipal utilities, and cooperative power City of Slayton: City Entrance Sign Solar Panels companies in the Southwest Minnesota region to: a) ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: evaluate whether community solar is a viable option and Energy Efficiency: Lighting upgrades; Renewable Energy: how it can be implemented as an energy alternative for a Solar electric; Other technologies: Energy Storage community that supports affordable housing Slayton, MN – The city of Slayton is installing three new development; and b) either create an implementation entrance signs. These signs will be backlit with LED lights strategy to move forward in a community (which could behind the lettering. We will be installing three 280 watt be replicated) or develop a synopsis of barriers and capacity solar panels to power these signs so they are off challenges currently preventing communities from the grid. moving in this direction.

Pomme De Terre Foods Inc: Energy Efficiency Project ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: Energy Efficiency: Behavior Change; Building Envelope; Commercial Energy Efficiency measures Morris, MN – Pomme De Terre Foods Inc (PDT) is seeking to improve energy efficiency standards and operations

for its facility located in Morris, MN. As the local incandescent and T12 linear florescent lighting fixtures purveyor of healthy and local foods, PDT believes that (66 total fixtures) with modern LEDs equipped with improving energy efficiency at the store front will be an dimming and occupancy sensing controls. These fixtures excellent public example of how energy efficiency are in areas of high visibility and frequent use, including initiatives can have a direct impact on the public the main entrance, the lobby, the ticket box office, and perception of energy usage and conservation practices. administrative offices. As a community theatre, thousands of patrons visit The Barn Theatre’s building Willmar Community Theatre: Upgrading Building each year as this effort will ensure that their lighting Lighting practices demonstrate their desire to be efficient and ENERGY FOCUS AREAS: responsible. In addition, The Barn Theatre hopes others, Energy Efficiency: Lighting Upgrades after seeing and experiencing the change in the building, Willmar, MN – The Willmar Community Theatre, known will in turn make similar investments to their buildings. as “The Barn Theatre,” is replacing antiquated

STATEWIDE PROJECTS

Statewide Director: Kathy Draeger, [email protected] Learn more: rsdp.umn.edu

Changing the Approach to Regulation of Local Food Deep Winter Greenhouse Extension Block Grant Systems in Minnesota FOCUS AREAS: FOCUS AREAS: UMN Center for Sustainable Building Research (Dan Bush Foundation Community Innovation Grant, Handeen, Richard Graves); DWG producers Carol Ford, Minnesota Institute of Sustainable Agriculture Ryan Pesch, Sue Wika This project was funded by a Bush Foundation As part of RSDP’s Statewide Deep Winter Greenhouse Community Innovation Grant through the Minnesota (DWG) Campaign, the UMN Center for Sustainable Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, with RSDP Building Research will conduct building construction and contributing staff support. The work consisted of a year- performance research on the five DWGs that will be long deep dive into Minnesota’s food regulations and installed around the state of Minnesota in 2016 and how farmers and food entrepreneurs interact with these 2017. Results will inform subsequent DWG building regulations in local food systems. An advisory committee designs. RSDP will work with DWG owners to coordinate made-up of regulatory staff from the Minnesota access for public open house events and research Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of activities, and will work with UMN faculty and staff to Health, and local delegated agency; representatives of disseminate research and design results to Extension farmer- and food system-focused organizations, food audiences. system advocates, and community organizations; and University of Minnesota and UMN Extension staff Evaluating Food Safety and Health Impacts of an identified eight potential priority areas. Learn more and Alternative Poultry Production Model access project materials at: FOCUS AREAS: mnlocalfoodregs.wordpress.com/project-history/ UMN Department of Animal Science (Ryan Cox), UMN Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Engaging Greater Minnesota Regions in Climate (Michele Scherman), UMN Extension (Wayne Martin), Adaptation Ideation and Innovation Main Street Project FOCUS AREAS: The Healthy Foods Healthy Lives Institute has funded a UMN Extension Climatologist Mark Seeley, Climate project to enable UMN researchers to look at a unique Generation: A Will Steger Legacy, North Central sustainable chicken production model developed by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Main Street Project in Northfield, Minnesota. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Researchers will analyze the system to ensure the The Partnerships hosted a series of five climate change practices meet food health and safety requirements. The adaptation convenings in Greater Minnesota. UMN project will also look at the comparative lean and fat Extension Climatologist Mark Seeley joined to provide content of the Freedom Ranger chickens produced with region-specific climate information. The purpose of the the Main Street Project model compared to typical convenings was to inform Minnesotans of the sustainably produced Cornish Cross pasture-fed chickens consequences of climate change, and to learn what common in the marketplace. This will help determine if innovations and strategies they are considering and the production model is safe and produces healthier deploying at the household, farmstead, and community meat. Results can provide market demand for the level to adapt to a changing environment. Convenings product and entice more producers to adopt the were held in collaboration with the Will Steger production method. Foundation, which received an Environmental and Natural Resource Trust Fund grant to capture Greater Minnesota Rising Minnesotans' climate change stories and create similar FOCUS AREAS: convenings focused on climate change mitigation and RSDP Mary J. Page Community-University Fund, UMN adaptation throughout Minnesota. Center for Urban and Regional Affairs Community Assistantship Program, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, Central RSDP

Supported by RSDP’s Mary J. Page Community-University growers; promotional guides for CSAs and retailers Fund and the Minnesota Initiative Foundations, Greater describing nutritional characteristics, cooking qualities, Minnesota Rising (GMR) seeks to find out why people and uses of these new varieties; and continuing move to Greater Minnesota, why they don't, and what engagement with restaurateurs and institutional chefs. strategies might facilitate migration as the state and nation faces its most challenging labor shortage since Organic Edible Dry Bean Project, USDA SARE World War II. Greater Minnesota Rising is talking with Organic Beans and Peas: Nutritious and Gluten-Free emerging leader groups, junior chambers, and other Local community organizations to explore questions about FOCUS AREAS: attracting and retaining young professionals. The aim is UMN Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics (Craig to develop recommendations for ways individuals, Sheaffer), UMN Department of Horticulture (Tom organizations, and regional groups can be intentional Michaels) resources in this critical workforce development issue. RSDP’s portion of this project is to conduct an analysis of GMR engages rural emerging leaders in an effort to reach supply chains for locally grown edible dry beans. Edible their counterparts elsewhere, millennial to millennial. dry beans have a variety of agronomic challenges including weed management, but offer significant Increasing Healthful Food Choice and Strengthening potential to add to soil nutrients and to diversify Rural Grocery Stores through Nutritional Education and economic options for farmers. This project seeks to Labeling identify existing markets and potential markets for edible FOCUS AREAS: dry beans through community and local food systems via UMN Extension, Gosch’s grocery store, Kansas State Community Support Agriculture (CSA), retail options, and University Rural Grocery Initiative, USDA-AFRI funded farm-to-institution programs. RSDP’s role is to use local foods as a means to improve the nutritional environment of the rural grocery store. Retail Produce Handling Education for Rural Grocers Research will look at increased local foods sales through and Specialty Crop Farmers “rural” groceries as a strategy for improving the FOCUS AREAS: nutritional value of food environment in rural areas. UMN Department of Horticulture (Cindy Tong); Renewing Overall, the project seeks to enhance the rural grocery the Countryside; Bergen’s Prairie Market, KC’s Market, food nutritional environment, provide an index that Kiester Market, Pierz Foods, and TJ’s Country Corner allows customers to see a nutritional value number, and grocery stores support consumers’ decision making to choose healthy Rural grocery stores often have difficulty selling enough options. produce to maintain profitability and continually supply healthy produce for their customers. If product turnover New Regionally-Adapted Heirloom Dry Beans for is slow, a store will purchase fruits and vegetables less Organic Production frequently from local farmers and distributors, resulting FOCUS AREAS: in lower product quality, limited options for consumers, UMN Department of Horticulture (Tom Michaels), UMN and lower profits for farmers. By providing busy rural Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics (Craig grocers with simple-to-use produce storage guides and Sheaffer, Kathy Draeger), Minnesota Department of on-site training, produce handlers will gain the Agriculture Minnesota Crop Research Grant, Sustainable knowledge and skills necessary to maintain produce Farming Association displays for maximum quality, freshness, and Dry, edible beans are a nutritious and versatile food appearance. This project proposes to develop and deliver contributing to healthy diets that fight obesity, diabetes, on-site workshops on proper produce handling in rural heart disease, and some cancers. During a recent USDA grocery stores for rural grocery store operators and local project, UMN researchers initiated plant breeding specialty crop farmers. With an increase in skills, activities targeting selection of heirloom-type beans that knowledge, and confidence, rural grocers will increase are particularly well-adapted to organic production their ability to sell locally grown and distributor-provided systems in Minnesota and that exhibit the unique seed fruits and vegetables, thereby strengthening rural characteristics associated with high demand and economies and increasing healthy options for their consumption. This project will 1) finalize those breeding neighbors and customers. activities by completing selections based on multi- location testing under organic conditions, 2) purify and Rural Grocery Serendipity Grant stabilize the seedlots, 3) eliminate seed-borne diseases, FOCUS AREAS: and 4) nitiate stock seed production. The project also UMN Office of the Vice President for Research involves authoring production guides for dry bean Serendipity Grant Program

RSDP’s 2015 Rural Grocery Survey was the first statewide grocery wholesale businesses. The survey garnered a 69 survey of rural grocers in Minnesota. This grant provides percent response rate, with 175 out of 254 eligible the opportunity for University and community experts to grocers completing the questionnaire. At-a-glance results purposefully collaborate and create momentum around sheets are available on RSDP’s website. rural grocery issues using survey results. Materials will be created and tailored to different stakeholders such as Understanding Market Opportunities for Midwest rural grocers, Extension personnel, policy decision Hazelnuts makers, technical assistance providers, and others. FOCUS AREAS: RSDP Mary J. Page Community-University Fund, UMN Statewide Deep Winter Greenhouse Campaign MnDRIVE, UMN PhD candidate Amanda Sames FOCUS AREAS: (), Minnesota Hazelnut Foundation, U of MN Center for Sustainable Building Research (Dan Karen Lanthier (RSDP) Handeen), UMN Institute on the Environment (IonE), During spring 2015, the Minnesota Hazelnut Foundation United FCS, AgStar Financial Services, AgCountry Farm was able to fund graduate student research through the Credit Services, AgriBank Mary Page Community-University Partnership Fund to RSDP is collaborating with producers and organizations explore potential hazelnut markets. This work built on throughout Minnesota to build five Deep Winter the hazelnut research of the Forever Green Initiative and Greenhouses (DWGs) – one in each RSDP region. The the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative. The campaign is made possible by support from the project identified chefs as an initial market channel to UMN Institute on the Environment and a consortium of explore given their potential to handle varying amounts farm lending banks, including AgCountry Farm Credit of hazelnut product and ability to pay a premium for this Services, AgriBank, AgStar Financial Services, and United product – two key concerns for this growing industry. A FCS. In exchange for technical assistance and funding, small focus group was also conducted with landscape partners agree to participate in University research and and garden center experts to understand potential uses outreach events for a period of three years. Each DWG for shell byproduct in order to capture further value. will be built according to a prototype design developed Results provided the Minnesota Hazelnut Foundation by the UMN Center for Sustainable Building Research. An and other producers with initial estimates of willingness- advisory committee made of representatives selected by to-pay, chef’s expectations for hazelnut processing, pros RSDP with expertise in agricultural production, energy and cons to using hazelnut shell as a landscaping efficiency, clean energy, and community development product, and more. will select one applicant from each RSDP region. Committee members include a representative from each USDA AMS Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion of RSDP's five regions as well as three members Program Train the Trainer event representing UMN Extension and United FCS. UMN Extension FOCUS AREAS: Statewide Rural Grocery Survey RSDP facilitated a training session in Mankato, FOCUS AREAS: Minnesota, for people interested in applying for the UMN Center for Survey Research, AgCountry Farm Credit USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) or the Services, AgriBank, AgStar Financial Services, Minnesota Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). Department of Agriculture, United FCS RSDP conducted the 2015 statewide Rural Grocery Store STATEWIDE CERTS Survey to understand the needs and concerns of rural grocery store owners in Minnesota. This project was Accelerating Clean Energy in Minnesota Communities funded by AgCountry Farm Credit Services, AgriBank, Through In-Depth Assistance AgStar Financial Services, the Minnesota Department of FOCUS AREAS: Agriculture, and United FCS. The survey was conducted in McKnight Foundation association with the UMN Minnesota Center for Survey Targeted projects with four regions of the state will serve Research. Feedback on design was provided by many as examples of how clean energy successes can move stakeholders, including but not limited to rural grocers, forward anywhere and everywhere -- in liberal and UMN Extension Community Economics, the Federal conservative districts; in cooperative, municipal and Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Kansas State University, investor-owned utility territories; and with engagement the Wilder Foundation, the Minnesota Department of from businesses, farmers, and local units of government. Health, the Minnesota Grocery Access Task Force's Finance Subcommittee, Minnesota Food Charter, CERTs, the Center for Rural Policy and Development, and two

CERTs Core Funding Local Government Energy Efficiency Financing, FOCUS AREAS: Guaranteed Energy Savings Program (GESP) Legislative appropriation via the Minnesota Department FOCUS AREAS: of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, Southwest U.S. Department of Energy via Minnesota Department of Regional Development Commission, Great Plains Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, Metro CERT, Institute, The Minnesota Project Southwest Regional Development Commission To advance CERTs’ mission to connect individuals and To conduct education and outreach to local units of communities with the resources they need to identify government about both a) energy benchmarking tools and implement community-scale energy efficiency and and benefits and b) energy efficiency savings programs, renewable energy projects across the State of financial tools, and incentives. Minnesota. Property Accessed Clean Energy (PACE) Clean Energy Project Builder FOCUS AREAS: FOCUS AREAS: Saint Paul Port Authority Through the Grow Solar Partnership CERTs is working to CERTs staff work across the state giving presentations update the Clean Energy Project Builder to have a greater and educational information about PACE to county focus on solar and add a community-solar directory commissioners and local municipal leaders, with the goal component. Explore the database at of activating a joint powers agreement to make PACE cleanenergyprojectbuilder.org. financing available in their jurisdiction so that businesses can use it for energy efficiency and/or renewable energy Community Solar Gardens Research/Materials/ projects. Outreach FOCUS AREAS: Renewable Energy Development Assistance CERTs has created resources to help interested parties FOCUS AREAS: learn the basics about community solar gardens, get United States Department of Agriculture subscriber resources, see currently available programs, CERTs is working with Minnesota farmers and rural small and get answers to frequently asked questions. businesses to identify opportunities for energy efficiency in order to maximize the potential benefit of any GreenStep Cities renewable energy systems. Working statewide, the FOCUS AREAS: project will help prioritize renewable energy options that McKnight Foundation via Great Plains Institute, Great align with the farm or business operations and connect Plains Institute, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, potential projects with resources and tools – like USDA League of Minnesota Cities, Izaac Walton League REAP funding – to move forward on project (Minnesota), Minnesota Main Street Program implementation with a focus on solar (photovoltaic and To support GreenStep Cities programmatic development thermal), biomass, and small wind. and to conduct direct outreach to and recruitment of cities in Greater Minnesota in support of cities Solar Thermal Outreach Coordination participating in GreenStep. FOCUS AREAS: Minnesota Department of Commerce – Division of Grow Solar Energy Resources FOCUS AREAS: In the hopes of spurring Minnesota’s fledgling solar US Department of Energy via Midwest Renewable Energy thermal industry into greater adoption, CERTs staff are Association working statewide to create strategic partnerships, Leverage local partnerships and regional/national remove barriers to broader adoption, and highlight the expertise to support development of model solar finance results of ongoing data monitoring efforts. programs through a statewide technical assistance grant program. Includes elements of programming described below.

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