Avian flu has hit Minnesota like a Mac truck this spring, affecting dozens of producers and millions of birds. For the next three weeks, we’ll be talking with Kent Thiesse, farm management analyst and vice president at MinnStar Bank in Mankato and a long-time Extension agent, on just where the avian flu is hitting hardest and what it means for producers, consumers, and rural communities.

Avian flu in Minnesota part 1

This week on Rural MN Radio, we’re continuing our conversation on housing and jobs with Dawn Hegland, executive director of the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission. Attracting workers means paying attention to quality of life. Quality housing within an achievable price range is just one of those factors.

Housing and jobs, part 2

Housing and jobs go hand in hand. Without jobs, there’s no one to buy houses, and without housing, there’s no place for workers to live. This week on Rural MN Radio, we talk with Dawn Hegland, CRPD board member and executive director of the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission, about the importance of good housing stock for attracting employees. First of two parts.

Housing and jobs, part 1

Round table meetings with Sen. Al Franken are giving Greater Minnesota health care providers a chance to tell the federal government how things are going in rural health care and how things could be better. This last week Marnie attended the round table in Mankato and gives a review of the discussion.

Rural health care round table

We continue our conversation on senior services in Greater Minnesota this week, talking about who takes care of our older friends and relatives. Rural communities are less likely to have assisted living and in-home services, and so friends and family help out. Health care providers are also facing a serious shortage of health care workers and leaders are looking at ways to address the problem.

Providing for our seniors, part 2

This week on Rural MN Radio, Marnie and Jim talk about the Center’s latest research into long-term senior care. Are the dynamics of demographics and distance making a difference in our ability to care for our elderly? First of two parts.

Providing for our seniors, part 1