A new initiative to develop a wine industry in the Upper Minnesota River Valley.  The project includes an educational needs assessment of current and potential wine grape growers in the region, connecting with University resources, area wineries and the Minnesota Grape Growers Association to  implement "hands on" workshops to increase knowledge and skills of the grape growers and develop marketing and tourism opportunities in the region. 

Board Funding Investment:  $5,000 in 06-07, $4,500 in 07-08, $4,500 in 08-09

Matching Funds:  Inkind from regional wine growers

UM Partners: Jim Luby, UM Department of Horticulture, John Tull, UM Grape Research manager, Ryan Pesch, UM Extension, Bridget Tuck, UM Extension

Community Partners - Audrey Arner, wine grower and serving as coordinator/organizer of the project, regional wine growers and wineries in the Minnesota River basin

A market analysis of potential businesses and residential needs in the city of Hanely Falls.  The market analysis will be performed before the city moves onto developing a retail center.

Board Investment Funds: $1000

UM Partners: Neil Linscheild and Ryan Pesch, UM Extension

Community Partners: City of Hanely Falls

A Connecting Students and Communities program targeting watershed and water quality related groups offering student interns for local water quality projects.  The purpose of the targeted program was to engage students in the Environmental Studies and related program at U of M Morris with community identified projects.  The board also wish to build relationships with the watersheds, County Soil Water Conservation Districts, lake associations and other non-profit groups working on water quality issues or programs./

Board Funding Investment: $5,500 in 2009 & 2010

Matching Funds: UMM Center for Small Towns in-kind administration support 

UM Partners: UMM Center for Small Towns, UMM Environmental Studies program

Community Partners: Pope County SWCD, Minnesota Waters, Chippewa River Watershed Project, Lac qui Parle County SWCD, Kandiyohi County SWCD, CURE

A program sponsored by Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) and the Southwest Initiative Foundation designed for youth teams from schools and community groups to develop renewable and community based energy projects in their communities.  UMM student interns worked with the PWELC staff in implementing and evaluating the program that began in  September 2007 and concluded in April 2008 with a team recognition/awards program.   Due to the success of the first two years, YES expanded to southwest Minnesota through a WIRED grant and WCP continued supporting it via team awards.  In late 2010, WCP supported student intern to collect data from the YES! teams documenting energy savings and efficiencies.  For more information, check out the YES! web site.

Board Funding Investment: $6,000 (part of the Wind Campaign project) for student interns (2007 and 2008); $7,500 for program student intern, expenses and awards (2009 and 2010); $2000 for evaluation student intern

Matching Funds: $83,000 via Southwest Initiative Foundation, sponsor funds, student fees, etc.

UM Partners: CERTs staff and Steering Committee, UMM student interns

Community Partners: PWELC, Southwest Iniatitive Foundation, several schools and community youth groups/organizations from the region and SW Minnesota

An updated paper and submission to "Peer-Reviewed Journal" of the case study on Big Stone Wind--Community Wind vs. Corporate Wind, by Dr. Arne Kildegaard.  Through the University of Minnesota Morris Center for Small Towns Fellows program, Dr. Kildegaard will update his paper (following link) published in 2006 during 2009 and 2010 and published in fall 2010.  The WCP supported a student intern for the update and additional research.

Board Funding Investment: $2,000

Matching Funds: UMM Center for Small Towns Fellows program, $11,000

UM Partners: Dr. Arne Kildegaard, UMM; UMM Center for Small Towns

Community Partners: West Central CERTs Steering Committee

A two region (Northwest and West Central) project that developed a study circle curriculum implemented as as pilot in two watersheds--Buffalo River (NW) and Hawk Creek (WC).  The purpose of the pilot was to apply the study circle process in engaging citizens and local leaders in water quaility education and decision making on personal and community levels.  Hawk Creek completed a pilot in March 2010. 

Board Funding Investment:  $8,000

Matching Funds:  Northwest Regional Partnership

UM Partners:  Karen Terry, UM Extension; advisement from Water Resource Center

Community Partners: Hawk Creek Watershed, Buffalo River Watershed, MPCA

WCP continues to support student interns for community identified projects.  In 2009 and 2010, WCP funded student wages and expenses for:

• Pope County Fresh, a county supported effort to develop a local foods economy
• Buy Fresh Buy Local media campain, photos, growers profiles, media stories, etc. featuring local foods in the region
• Clinton School greenhouse design

Board Funding Investment: $4,750

Matching Funds: $9,500 from West Central Initiative, CAP, UMM Gift Fund

UM Partners: UMM Center for Small Towns and student interns; Center for Urban and Regional Affairs

Community Partners: Pope County, Sustainable Farming Association, Clinton School

WCP launched this initiative in fall 2004 to connect UM Children's Garden and Pride of the Prairie partners to develop a Farm to School program. The goal is to connect schools with local farms with objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime, and supporting local small farmers.  In 2005, a pilot was developed in the Willmar school district to test ideas and demonstrate a model for rural schools;  2008/9 a statewide on-line tool kit was developed with MISA (Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture); 2009 UM Extension supported a part-time statewide position; and 2009 a SARE grant was awarded to implement Farm to School trainings across the state.  

Board Funding Investment: $29,800 ($9,800 for Children's Garden) in 04-05, $20,000 ($2,700 for Children's Garden) in 05-06, $15,000 in 06-07, $13,200 in 07-08, $6,000 in 08-09 (for UM Extension coordinator's expenses and travel)

Matching Funds: $5,000 in 07-08 for Tool Kit with MISA, $30,000 in 08-09 UM Extension coordinator postion, SARE grant (statewide)

U of M Partners: WCROC Horticulture program, UM Extension, UMM Service Learning program, MISA (Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture)

Community Partners: Pride of the Prairie partners, School Districts of Willmar, Morris, Lac qui Parle, Montevideo, and other school districts in 08-09 as program expands across the state; SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program) in 2010 and 2011 supporting 24 schools in the 12 county region

Greater Milan Initiative (GMI) is exploring the development of a Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) in Milan and surrounding area.  SEU  is a non-profit entity, owned by the community, that provides a comprehensive package of sustainable energy services.  The SEU is a one stop shop providing education, technology, and financing sources for area residents to improve energy efficiency and consider on site renewables for their residences, businesses and gathering places.  Future efforts could incorporate the needs of sustainable agriculture and ag processing.

Board Funding Investment: $7,625

Matching funds: $ 5,000 (workshop grant from West Central CERT), other grant applications pending

UM Partners: UM Extension (planning facilitation); UMM Center for Small Towns (student assistant for inventory work), CERTS coordinators

Community Partners: GMI, Center for Earth Energy and Democracy at IATP (Institute of Ag and Trade Policy), Lac qui Parle County EDA, Lac qui Parle Valley school YES! team

The development of comprehensive renewable/sustainable technology education outreach products at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) that will help walk-ins, on-line visitors and students to learn about the sustainability and conservation applications at PWELC.  Products will include 1) interpretive and education materials, signage, video and self guided tour, website additions; and 2) monitoring capability of existing renewable energy installations at PWELC and display performance data on web site.

Board Funding Investment: $5,000

Matching Funds: $5,000 for solar panel application via West Central CERTs grant

UM Partners: UMM faculty (Troy Goodnaugh) and UMM Center for Small Towns (student assistant)

Community Partners: PWELC, supportive local utilities (Willmar Municipal, Kandiyohi Power, GRE), PWELC sponsors/partners, and renewable energy  businesses (Sunrise Agrifuel, AbioNova, Lake Country Fireplace, Three Seasons & More, Empire Plumbing & Heating, Solar Skies

 

Initiated by the West Central Regional Partnership along with community leaders and the assistance of UMM Center for Small Towns and AMOM that assessed the interest in the region to form a Healthcare Purchasing Alliance. A Board of Directors now operate the Alliance and in process of developing a product that will enable farmers, small businesses and employers to pool together and purchase coverage to stabilize healthcare costs.

Board Funding Investment: $5,000 in 2002 to explore the idea; $50,000 in 02-03; $5,000 in 05-06, $6,000 in 06-07, $3,000 in 07-08, $6,000 in 08-09 for addition research needs

Matching Funds: $111,000 grants (SW Foundation, WCIF, Bremer, MN Department of Health) in 02-04, $45,000 grant from Bremer in 06-07

U of M Partners - UMM Center for Small Towns; UMM students

Community Partners - AMOM (Advocate for Marketplace Options for Mainstreet), Board members representing local government, businesses, agencies and health care providers

The project goals include: 1) create county trail plans/designs that support and promote recreation and environmental awareness and stewardship by addressing issues of environmental type, quality, and preservation along trail corridors; 2) leverage the effectiveness of existing and planned local/regional/state, and related parks and agencies; 3) create community consensus around trail opportunities; 4) empower counties and citizens to effectively seek regional trail funding by creating planning/design tools that can be used for grant applications; and 5) strengthen the connection and civic capacity among the people of Renville and Redwood counties as they move ahead with a number of Tatanka Bluffs initiatives.

Board Funding Investment: $5,000 in 08-09

Matching Funds: $58,500 via Legislative Citizens Commission on MN Resources, $10,000 inkind resources

U of M Partners: UM Center for Changing Landscapes

Community Partners: Tatanka Bluffs coalition, Renville and Redwood County EDAs, Monsanto Corporation

A communications and outreach project of the West Central Research & Outreach Center's Raspberry High Tunnel research program.  Outreach activities include workshops, fact sheets, interveiwing current high tunnel growers to assess results and challenges, public relations materials, media stories and intential connections to fruit growers across the state.

Board Funding Investment:  $4,500

Matching Funds: $5,500 MDA grant

UM Partners: Steve Poppe, West Central Research & Outreach, UMM Center for Small Towns, student interns; Emily Hoover, Department of Horticultural Science, Mary Jo Forbord, UMM Morris Healthy Eating coordinator, Sandy Olson-Loy, UMM Vic Chancellor

Community Partners: Ron Branch, Berry Ridge Farm; Natasha Mortenson, Morris High School Agriculture Teacher and FFA advisor

 

A project with Garden Goddess CSA of Milan, MN to develop a book showcasing their journey, illustrations and application of a winter greenhouse and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).  The  book will be part of outreach and educational activities throughout the state and upper midwest to encourage more winter CSAs.

Board Funding Contribution - $5,000

Matching Funds - Personal expenses and grants to cover $20,000 of the project

University Partners - Ben Winchester, UMM Center for Small Towns, UMM students

Community Partners - Carol Ford and Chuck Waibel, Garden Goddess; Anne Delgehausen, Trio Books; Angie Moen, Depot Studios; Terry VanDerPol, Land Stewardship Project 

An economic study to assess the potential impact of the evolving wine grape and winery industry in the state of Minnesota.  This is multi-regional project with Southeast and Northwest Partnerships.

Board Funding Investment: $8,000 07-08

Matching Funds: $12,000 from Southeast and Northwest Partnerships, $10,000 from MGGA (Minnesota Grape Growers Association)

UM Partners: Rob King, UM Department of Applied Economics; Jim Luby, UM Department of Horticulture

Community Partners: MGGA and local wine grape growers and wineries

Link to web site for final reports.

A demonstration using hybrid poplar for conservation purposes and to network with agencies, specialist and potential growers to develop productive conservation practices. The goal is to reduce pollution in highly targeted areas like well water source areas for cities The project has completed a BMP manual and has established a demonstration site in Pope County exploring biomass for energy use.

Board Funding Investment: $13,500 in 03-04, $5,000 in 06-07

Matching Funds: $5,000 CERTs

U of M Partners: UM Extension Natural Resource program Regional Educators, CINRAM, WCROC, SROC, NRRI

Community Partners - MDA (wellhead protection project), Agro-forestry Cooperative, County Environmental Services, County Feedlot Officers, , NRCS, NRCS RC&D, SWCD's, Watershed groups (such as Chippewa River Watershed Project, Clean-up River Environment CURE), CERTS

Pomme de Terre Watershed covers six counties in the Uppers MN River basin.  In 2007, Mudd Creek was identified as a impaired water by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.  To assist the watershed in cleaning up the creek, the West Central Partnership convened meetings with watershed staff and funded a student intern to conduct an inventory of watershed stakeholders, develop education materials, and engage citizens to increase awareness of the problem and potential solutions.

Board Funding Investment: $2,000 in 08-09

U of M Partners: UMM Center for Small Towns staff, student intern

Community Partners: County Commissioners and SWCD supervisors on the join powers board and Pomme De Terre Watershed staff

A west central Minnesota project lead by SFA to encourage new dairy farmers via on-farm training and farm transfer to address the growing demand of organic and grass based dairy products.  The project started with surveying a sampling of Minnesota Milk Association dairy farmer members on issues related to relief workers and sharemilker, obstacles to continue in the dairy business, and training needs/structure.  Also conduct a review of neighboring states programs.  This intial research will provide data for project partners to design a program that addresses potential dairy farmers training needs and transfer opportunities of family dairy farms.

Board Funding Contribution - $7,000

Matching Funds - $45,000 via MDI to SFA to aid organic and grass based dairies

U of M Partners - UMM Center for Small Towns (conduct survey), West Central Research and Outreach Center, UM Extension

Community Partners - Sustainable Farming Association (SFA), Ridgewater Farm Business Mgmt, Organic Dairy and Goat Dairy producers
 

The goal of this project is to create an economically viable, environmentally friendly, socially just, safe and nutritious food system with access for all in Kandiyohi County, MN.  The first step of this project is determining coummunity's priority needs within the food system and conduct an assessment of the food system.

Board Funding Contribution - $2,500

Matching Funds - $1,600 via IATP, SWIF, County EDA; inkind support from participating organizations/agencies

U of M Partners - UMM Center for Small Towns Faculty Fellows program, UMM student, UM Extension Family Nutrition Program

Community Partnership - Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), Willmar Area Food Shelf, STEPS for a Healthier Willmar, Heartland Community Action Agency, J&L Bison Ranch, Kandiyohi County Economic Development Commission, Willmar Area Public Schools--Farm to School Program, Mid-MN Regional Development Commission, West Central Integration Collaborative, Land Stewardship Project

 

Board Investment Funds: $2,500

Match Funds: $16,000 from Southwest Initiative Foundation

Community Partners: CURE (Clean Up the River Environment), Southwest Initiative Foundation, Prairie Woods Environmental Leaning Center, Milan and Lac qui Parle Valley High School, Montevideo High School, Dawson High School

A project with the goal to increase grazing practices and perennialization in the Chippewa Watershed, a major agriculture based watershed in the Upper Minnesota River basin. The first year involves coordination of partners, inventory of resources, development of network and communications.  The second year included educational programs and tours to create outreach for farmers and conservationist.

Board Funding Investment: $20,000 in 05-06, $1,000 in 06-07

Matching Funds: Student Internship via Green Lands, Blue Waters program, Working Lands Initiative via DNR

U of M Partners - UM Green Lands, Blue Waters faculty with Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, MISA, UM Extension Service

Community Partners ? Sustainable Farming Association, Land Stewardship Project, USDA RC&D Prairie Country, Chippewa Watershed Project, conservation agencies and Farmers.

 

A board initiative that began in fall of 2004. The objective of the survey/assessment was to create a base for determining the assets (resources or things that contribute in a positive way to our region) and needs of West Central Minnesota. The results of the survey/assessment was used by the board to set direction for the next three to five years.   A student paper on potential next steps was also developed from the process.

In 2006, the West Central Regional Partnership board participated in the statewide program evaluation of the program's effectiveness over since it's beginning in 1997.  Focus groups evaluations were conducted with board members, project partners, and community leaders.  Analysis of project evaluations is also part of the evaluation process.

Board Funding Investment: up to $10,000 in 2003-04, $2,650 in 2005-06, $5,000 for Statewide evaluation in 2005-06

U of M Partners -UMM Center for Small Towns, UMM Faculty and students from Statistics Department, UM Regional Partnership staff, UM faculty and consultants

Community Partners - WC Regional Partnership board and participating local leadership in the region

Two part planning process engaging various sectors of citizens from across the region to learn from successful work of the past and creation of plausible future senarios.  The first part will be conducted by CURE (Clean Up the River Environment) using the Appreciative Inquiry interview process where students interview local citizens regarding success stories on "how communities and organizations worked" and why it was successful.  A dramatic presentation of the interviews will be presented in the evening before the Future Scenario Planning Workshop scheduled for April 2007.  The second part, Future Scenario Planning is an exercise involving envisioning the future in the next 50 years, and then backcasting (and learnings from the Appreciative Inquiry stories) to see what steps are needed to arrive at the preferred future.  this will provide the board and region with some ideas of how an investment or series of investments in our communities can help achieve our goals of sustainable development.

Board Funding Investment: $10,000 in 06-07 for the Appreciative Inquiry process

Matching Funds: Bush Foundation via University of Minnesota's Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Initiative to cover costs associated with the Scenario Planning Process

U of M Partners: University of Minnesota's Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Initiative

Community Partners: CURE, citizens in the region

A regional project via the West Central CERTS team to increase awareness of the benefits of a community based wind energy project. An economic analysis of community based vs. leasing land and outside ownership is also part of the project.

Board Funding Investment: $20,000 in 05-06

Matching Funds: $4,000 from IREE

 

A project directed by rural residents in the Highway 29 corridor between Benson Starbuck to take stock of their assets and people. Project includes conducting an inventory of history, culture, enterprises, and geological assets and community building of neighbors to consider sustainable tourism opportunities and preservation of landscape.

Board Funding Investment: $1,000

Matching Funds: approximately $1,000 from CAP - Community Assistantship Program

U of M Partners - CAP Program; UMM Center for Small Towns; UM and UMM student interns

Community Partners - Residents, Farmers, and Enterprise Owners in the Highway 29 Corridor; Swift County RDA

A collaboration of partners to bring tourism related activities in the upper Minnesota River Valley together around trails planning, arts and cultural events, history and local foods to develop a sustainable tourism economy that supports a cleaner Minnesota River.

Board Funding Investment: $20,000 for facilitation (CURE) and research (U of M Tourism Center)

Matching Funds: Partnering organizations in kind resources and CAP funds for student, pending grants from other sources

U of M Partners ? U of M Tourism Center, U of M Center for Changing Landscapes

Community Partners ? CURE (Clean Up the River Environment), 6W Regional Development Commission, MN Department of Natural Resources, MN River basin artist and community leaders

A collaborative effort between the West Central Research/Outreach Center, the University of Minnesota Extension Service, and local citizens and youth to create a community garden with children. The garden is located at the West Central Research/Outreach Center grounds near Morris and provides educational/skills activities, develop community pride and food connections for children. In 2004, the Children's Garden worked with Pride of the Prairie to bridge the two initiatives around the beginnings of a Farm to School Initiative.  In 2005-06, a web site was developed to expand outreach.

Board Funding Investment: $6,000 in 01-02, $11,000 in 02-03, $21,330 in 03-04 including summer activities, $9,800 in 04-05 to create Pizza Garden as part of Farm To School Initiative, $2,700 in 05-06 for intern to develop web site incorporating Farm to School activities

Matching Funds: $73,000 local and state grants

U of M Partners ?WCROC faculty and staff, UMM faculty and students, UM College of Arch/Landscape, UM Extension 4-H Program Regional Educators

Community Partners ?Morris Public Schools, Morning Sky Greenery, Adult Farm Management, Master Gardeners, Youth, 4-H Adult Volunteer, Land Stewardship Project

A demonstration of home scale products using renewable resources from the area include solar and corn that can be applied on the farm or in the home. Educational displays and signage will be part of the demonstration.

Board Funding Investment: $1,649 for student intern in 04-05

Matching Funds: Kandiyohi County funding for hardware and products

U of M Partners -Institute of Technology and UM students

Community Partners - Staff and volunteers at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

 

 

Upper Minnesota River Basin program to 1) Improving watershed health, 2) strengthening long-term economic stability, and 3) creating an improved social environment through the Conservation Security Program (CSP). The goal of the three year program was to enroll 50% of farmers in the Upper Minnesota River Watershed that includes 16 counties in CSP. But due to delays and changes in USDA's application of CSP, this goal has been difficult to attain. A UM graduate student was employed to collect baseline data to measure the effectiveness of the education and program impact. Again, the student's original goals have been changes due to CSP delays and discovery of varying data sources so could not put a baseline source together. Due to these challenges, the program is shifting to documentation of data collection and evaluation framework and exploring "learning groups" of alternative crop productions to diversify the landscapes without CSP.

Board Funding Investment: $46,000 in 02-03, $5,000 in 03-04

Matching Funds: $56,000 in state grants and CURE memberships

U of M Partners - UM Extension in Natural Resources Program Regional Educator, UM Water Resource Center faculty, College of Natural Resources graduate student, UM Agronomy Department faculty

Community Partners - CURE Board and staff, Farmers, DNR, MN Conservation Federation, MN River Data Center, Soil/Water/Conservation District, Natural Resource Conservation Service, MPCA, Board of Water/Soil Resources

Traverse County used the U of M BR&E (Business Retention and Expansion) assessment process to evaluation current business needs and developed a strategic plan for Traverse County leaders.

Board Funding Investment: $6,000

Matching Funds: $6,000 from community and WCIF

U of M Partners - Traverse County Extension; UM Extension BR&E Program; and Regional Extension Educator in Community Economic Development

Community Partners - Traverse County BR&E leadership team members

The Regional Partnerships sponsored a statewide citizen's congress on local energy generation technical options, opportunities and policies in March 2001. Following the congress, the Partnerships launched a feasibility study of local energy generation/distribution in communities in each of the five regions. In the West Central region, Maynard, Clara City and Sacred Heart have been studying the potential of wind generation on the "flat lands" of the Minnesota prairie. In early 2004, a town meeting was held presenting the results of the wind monitor that showed an 8-10 year payback.

Board Funding Investment: $9,800

Matching Funds - Three Community Energy Committee $4,500

U of M Partners - Institute of Technology; Institute of A Sustainable Future (UMD), UM Regional Partnership CERTs coordinator

Community Partners - Maynard, Clara City and Sacred Heart Councils; Department of Commerce; MN Project; Windustry; local utilities

An initiative including assessing the region's newest population assets and needs. Lead by Ben Winchester of the U of M Morris Center for Small Towns assisted by UMM student, an inventory of the region's new population demographics and services has been collected. Exploring addition funding and partners to take the inventory to the next steps of community engagement.

Board Funding Investment: $5,000

U of M Partners ? UMM Center for Small Towns, UM Extension Service

Community Partners ? community leaders, businesses, government services for New Minnesotans

 

Intern student worked with Regional 6W Regional Development Commission to complete all-hazard mitigation plan for communities of four counties of the 6W region (Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine).

Board Funding Contribution: $1,000

Matching Funds: $3,257

U of M Partners - UM Student, UM Extension (matching funds and faculty), CAP

Community Partners - 6W Regional Development Commission; local leaders in the designated communities and counties

Intern student worked with the Morris area Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance to identify appropriate historical moments for the History Walk and uncover information, photographs and tailor it to the project as well as deepen the research already done.

Board Funding Contribution: $2,500

U of M Partners - UMM student and UMM Center for Small Towns, CAP

Community Partners - Morris area Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance and Stevens County Historical Society

Intern students conducted research on the development of an assisted living facility, which includes a marketing study, code requirement, facility layout, staffing requirements, ownership and financing options, and services offered to the residents. A survey of area residents was completed to help inform the team.

Board Funding Contribution: $1,500

Matching Funds: CAP program funds

U of M Partners - UMM students and UMM Center for Small Towns, CAP

Community Partners - City of Milan and community leaders

Policy analysis of the impact of farmer incentives to adopt conservation practices to maximize soil caron captures. Intern student conduct literature review of current publications, interview knowledgeable experts, review status of carbon trading pilot projects, and assess potential for expansion and national policy adoption.

Board Funding Contribution: 1,000

Matching Funds: CAP program Funds

U of M Partners - UM graduation student of HHH Institute, CAP

Community Partners - Minnesota Project

Intern student worked with WACCO (Western Area City County Cooperative) and county law enforcement agencies to determine the number of current inmate mental illness cases and research successful programs to deal with the issue and develop a protocol to assist in getting mental illness services.

Board Funding Contribution: $1,000

Matching Funds: $1,000

U of M Partners - UMM student and UMM Center for Small Towns, CAP

Community Partners - WACCO staff and cooperating cities, counties and law enforcement agencies

A case study that field-tested the Phosphorus Index Tool with two Pope County farms. The results were shared during a series of three community meetings along with a facilitated discussion on agriculture and water quality issues in Pope County. The draft case study is attached to be shared with other communities in the state.

Board Funding Investment: $18,000 in 03-04

U of M Partners ? WCROC faculty and students, Pope County Extension, UM Agronomy Department faculty

Community Partners ? Pope County Commissioners, two Pope County Farms, community leaders and lakeshore residents

A joint project with Northwest Regional Partnership to assist western Minnesota King of Trails and related tourism groups with planning and marketing needs. The Partnerships has funded to students to assist the groups in this effort as well as other UM resources. The Minnesota Office of Tourism and the University of Minnesota Tourism Center also provide assistance to enable the prairie part of the state to be a designation. This planning effort has lead to an inventory of tourism and trails groups in the prairie region, an attractions/events product for marketing efforts, and a King of Trails Scenic Byway designation.

Board Funding Investment: $3,000

Matching Funds: $3,500 from NW Partnership, King of Trails membership fees and grant sources

U of M Partners - U of M Tourism Center; UM-Crookston students

Community Partners -River Keepers volunteers; MN Office of Tourism; Prairie Passage - MN DOT; Northwest Gateway Association; Greenway on the Red; RC&Ds; King of Trail Board of Directors; and Upper MN Valley Regional Development Commission

Using new technology to collect data on concentrations of methane in various dairy and hog facilities and determine means of gas collection for potential development of energy. A joint project with Northwest Partnerships.

Board Funding Investment: $3,000

Matching Funds: $3,000 from NW Partnership

U of M Partners - Philip Goodrich, UM Department of Biosystems and Ag Engineering

Community Partners - , Energy & Environmental Research Center (UNS) and area Dairy Farmers

A two-year project of WCROC (West Central Research/Outreach Center) and UMM to develop a community scale distributed energy system and serve as a demonstration, training and research site using natural resources and agricultural products for energy production. Biomass facility at UMM is pending on state capitol budget, wind turbine construction breaking ground fall 2004.

Board Funding Investment: $32,092 in 01-02, $17,997.75 in 02-03, $5,999.25 in 03-04

Matching Funds - Over $3 Million in grants and state appropriations to University of Minnesota for renewable energy research and development

U of M Partners -WCROC Head, faculty and staff; UMM Administration and staff of plant services

Community Partners -City of Morris; Morris Public Schools; Ottertail Power; Diversified Energy LLC

A joint project with Experiment in Southeast Regional Partnership and U of M Alternative Swine Housing Systems Task Force to conduct Round Table discussion groups throughout west central and southern Minnesota. The "Producer Round Table Discussion Groups" brought producers and researchers together to discuss alternative swine housing systems and to develop marketing opportunities and networks with each other and their local community.

Board Funding Investment: $7,500

Matching Funds: $7,500 Southeast Partnership

U of M Partners -WCROC faculty, UM Dept. of Animal Science, UM Biosystems & Ag Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, South ROC

Community Partners -Swine Producers, Land Stewardship Project, Swedish deep-bedded farrowing consultant

A research project on effective rural entrepreneurship development efforts specifically in the west central region, and generally in the state and nation. This project will help west central communities better understand entrepreneurship, identity of effective development models, and the role that entrepreneurship has in rural economic development and vitality.

Board Funding Investment: $20,000

U of M Partners ? Bill Lazurus, U of M Department of Applied Economics; Dan Dewitz, Grad Student

Community Partners ? WC Regional Partnership Economics/Built Team; Western MN Enterprise Facilitation Network

Statewide survey conducted with farmers, lenders, ag educators and consultants to better understand gaps between the respective groups in regards to sustainable farming methods and financial needs. U of M student is employed on this project through CAP working with Land Stewardship Project and several collaborators.

Board Funding Contribution: $1,500

U of M Partners ? Hassan Ghomrawi, Grad Student; Helene Murray, MISA; Marilyn Grantham and Bill Halfman, Extension; Bill Wilke, Ag Engineering

Community Partners ? Caroline van Schaik, Richard Ness and Terry VanDerPol, Land Stewardship; Mark Simon, Dairy Farmer; Gigi DiGiacomo; Karl Hakanson, UW

A program sponsored by Land Stewardship Project that aims to increase communications and cooperation between established and beginning farmers. U of M student was employed to assist with the implementation of the mentoring program and conduct evaluation of the program.

Board Funding Contribution: $1,500

U of M Partners ? Melissa Fishbach, Grad Student majoring in agriculture/horticulture

Community Partners ? Amy Bacigalupo, Farm Beginnings Coordinator, Land Stewardship Project

An inventory is being conducted to assess telecommunications capacity (internet assess/hardware and wireless), services, development efforts and education in the west central region. U of M student is employed to assist the Partnership in this inventory so the board can determine what role they should play in telecommunications development and education.

Board Funding Investment: $5,000

U of M Partners ? Jeremy Sells, UMM Student

Community Partners ? West Central Regional Partnership board (at this time)

Intern student to work with WACCO (Western Area City County Cooperative) and smaller west central communities to do a technology audit and develop recommendations to implement that benefit their city and county governments.

Board Funding Contribution: $2,500

U of M Partners ? Curtis Kukel, UMM student

Community Partners ? Laurie Mullen, WACCO staff and cooperating cities and counties

A corridor analysis of the Granite Falls to Upper Sioux Agency State Park and Renville County's Skalbekken Park segment of the Minnesota River Trails Initiative project. U of M student and Native American High School student were employed on this project through CAP working with the Upper Sioux Agency and MN Trails Initiative group.

Board Funding Contribution: $2,500

U of M Partner ? Jeff Zeitler, Grad Student

Community Partners ? Teri Dinesen, Upper Sioux Agency State Park; MN Trails Initiative coalition

Assessment questionnaire conducted by the West Central Regional Partnership Board members to assess how people in the region identify sustainable enterprises (including businesses, non-profit organizations, and government) in the region. Considerations are underway in looking at processes to develop a baseline and strategies to retain and enhance sustainable enterprises in the region.

Board Committee: Carmen Fernholz, John Cunningham, Nancy O'Leary, Mary Page, Dick Hanson

U of M Partners ? Dick Levin, Dept. of Applied Economics; Michael Darger, BR&E Director, Extension

Research project to help improve the accuracy of continental population estimates of shorebirds and educate both the local community and interested members of the public about shorebirds and the role of Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge in the conservation of this group of birds.

Board Funding Investment: $4,000

U of M Partners ? Sara Anderson, UMM research assistant

Community Partners ? Bridget Olson, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Refuge staff, Friends of the Prairie; local volunteer and civic groups; Kay Slama, WC Regional Partnership

The Cultural Diversity Council conducted a research project to strengthen the network of intercultural human relations in the rural communities of three counties in west central MN. The project focused on assessing the community through focus group research, obtaining ideas and input from people of color in the area as well as service providers.

Board Funding Investment: $4,900

U of M Partners - Sara Croymans and Connie Nygaard, Extension; Meesut Akdere, UM Graduate Student

Community Partners - Bev Struxness,WC Regional Partnership; Cultural Diversity Council community members

A research project to document and understand the physical hydrology of the Shakoppee Creek, tributary of the Chippewa River. U of M student will be employed on this project through CAP working with the Chippewa River Watershed Project.

Board Funding Contribution: $2,000

U of M Partner ? Vinay Nangra, U of M grad student

Community Partners ? Paul Wymar, The Chippewa River Watershed Project

 

Using the study circle model to engage many citizens in discussions on rural sustainability and agriculture/rural policy. As a result of conducting several study circles throughout the region, citizen action forums will be conducted to develop action steps for policies that will help sustain the region. This Study Circle process also serves as an assessment for the board of regional issues and potential projects.

Board Funding Investment for 2 years: $19,460

U of M Partners ? John Cunningham, Tamie Bremseth, Guy Southwick, Extension; Wynne Wright, Steve Taff and Cornelia Butler Flora (from IA, fellowship with UM) contributed to the pilot and content of the guide book

Community Partners ? Susan Brickweg (serves as the coordinator); study circle participants and West Central Regional Partnership board

An inventory was conducted to assess leadership and community service type of programs and their impact in west central Minnesota. U of M student is employed on this project through CAP working with U of M Extension Service and the Partnership board.

Board Funding Investment: $5,000

U of M Partners ? Brian McNeill, Extension; Kelsey Boesch, UMM Student

Community Partners ? Bev Struxness and Margaret Torgelson , WC Regional Partnership