Northwest Blog

Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian Taylor Branch will present “Civil Rights Then and Now: Reflections on the King Years” in the Kiehle Auditorium at the University of Minnesota Crookston on Monday, January 20, 2014, at 7 p.m. The event is free and all are welcome. A book signing will be held in Kiehle 124 following the presentation and books by Branch will be available for purchase on site. Branch also will speak on Tuesday, January 21 at 10 a.m. at the Lake Agassiz Regional Library in Crookston as part of his visit. Taylor Branch is an American author and public speaker best known for his landmark narrative history of the civil rights era, America in the King Years. The trilogy’s first book, Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63, won the Pulitzer Prize and numerous other awards in 1989. Two successive volumes also gained critical and popular success: Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963-65, and At Canaan’s Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-1...

At the Northwest Minnesota Foundation we know that nonprofit organizations within our 12-county region provide vital services to many of our region’s citizens.  It is fascinating to see how your ideas and service has strengthened our region. As we close out 2013 and prepare for 2014, we wanted to share a piece by the National Council of Nonprofits.  Trends: What’s Ahead for 2014 provides a look at some of the most interesting nonprofit trends to get ready for in 2014. Please share this piece with your nonprofit’s staff, board and volunteers so they can be prepared for what is ahead. 2014 NONPROFIT TRENDS TO WATCH WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR NONPROFIT STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS, DONORS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS? THE RESOURCE SQUEEZE: One prominent trend that began with the Great Recession will continue its drain in 2014: scarce financial resources. The vast majority of charitable nonprofits will continue to be squeezed for financial resources in 2014. In the curr...

The IDEA Competition announced that it is extending the deadline for the first round of its competition to December 31.  This will allow applicants to take advantage of the newly discounted registration fee of $100, thanks to a generous contribution from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. IDEA Competition project coordinator, Michelle Landsverk, is enthusiastic about the extended deadline and the reduced registration fee.  “With the recent donation from Northwest Minnesota Foundation we are able to reduce the cost of entering the competition,” Landsverk said.  “With the reduced registration fee, it only made sense to extend the deadline so more people could take advantage of the cost savings.” The purpose of the competition is to assist the most promising local entrepreneurs in the commercialization of innovative products, processes and deliveries by connecting them to the best resources available, along with access to the capital it takes to launch a successful v...

Sen. Matt Schmit, DFL- Red Wing The Northwest Minnesota Foundation and the Blandin Foundation teamed up to help move Minnesota forward in reaching its broadband goal. The goal is to have 10 Mbps to every home in Minnesota by 2015. Senator Matt Schmit of Red Wing is behind the initiative and he has successfully led efforts to create the Office of Broadband within DEED. His intent is to move additional broadband legislation forward by the 2015 legislative session. The public was invited to help set the legislative agenda by joining in on the broadband discussion at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, November 11th. Senator Schmit addressed local leadership perspective and gave background on local broadband initiatives. He also addressed how broadband and the lack thereof is affecting healthcare providers, educators, local government and business.

Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) program is celebrating its 10th anniversary in October. The Governor of the State of Minnesota, Mark Dayton has proclaimed October 24th as Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative Day. The twelve northwest Minnesota coalitions join in celebrating this achievement and recognizing the important partners who work with local leaders to ensure that the quality care and education of our youngest children is a top priority. The purpose of Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative (MECI) is to promote high-quality early care and education for children from birth to age five, while supporting parents in their important work. Since 2003, the Initiative has grown to include 86 local early childhood coalitions covering over 200 greater Minnesota communities. Investing in early childhood care and learning pays big dividends for communities and businesses. Scientific research confirms that a child’s earliest experiences dramat...

This year 76 families from throughout Minnesota will be honored as a 2013 Farm Family of theYear by the University of Minnesota. The families will be recognized in ceremonies set for 1:30 to 3 p.m., Thursday, August 8 at the annual Minnesota Farmfest near Redwood Falls. Tom and Corrinne Anderson of Clearbrook, Minnesota were chosen as the Clearwater County Farm Family of the Year for 2013. They are currently involved in a fanning partnership with their son Scott. They raise soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, hay, and beef cattle. In addition to Scott, Tom and Corrinne have two other sons and two grandchildren. Son Ryan is an electrician in Grand Junction, Colo.; son Jonathon lives in Clearbrook and works as a LPN at the Pioneer Nursing Home in Erskine. The Andersons attend Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clearbook where Tom is a member of the church council. Tom is also a cemetery sextant, American Legion member, Clearwater County FSA Committee member, and a member of the N...

The White Earth Land Recovery Project (WELRP) was awarded a $20,000 grant by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) to study the market and potential building needs for a fish-based fertilizer product. The fertilizer would use fish waste produced at the Red Lake Fisheries facility in Redby. Each year about 200,000 to 300,000 pounds of organic waste is created from the fisheries. Nitrogen and other nutrients from the decaying fish are, in fact, traditional fertilizers used by native peoples. The grant will help determine how this fish waste can be processed, assess the nutrient makeup of the product, what type of facility is needed and what type of market exists for the product. “The hope is to get a plant fertilizer product ready for market in the next year or so,” said Winona LaDuke, project coordinator. “We have been hauling fish waste from Red Lake for our own use as we plant different varieties of heritage corn. With this funding, we can now test this...