On Rural MN Radio this week, Jim and Marnie talk about a project going on in the Rural People Rural Policy network to recruit Native American and rural people to go to college to become doctors, nurses and pharmacists, then return to their hometowns to practice. Having a health care professional who understands the culture of his or her patients can be the key to good health care, especially in tribal lands, and Native Americans are extremely under-represented in medical schools.

Recruiting from within for health care

Two forums at this year’s Farm Fest discussed how agriculture is perceived by the public and what people in the ag industry can do to make sure someone else isn’t controlling ag’s message. On Rural MN Radio this week, Jim and Marnie discuss why this is so important.

Getting ag’s message out there

This week on Rural MN Radio, Jim talks with John Monson, senior vice president for Investments in Rural America, at AgStar Financial, about their Rural Capital Network. The network is made up of three funds, supporting capital investments in businesses and facilities, including health care facilities, capital investments for immigrant farmers, and grants and scholarships.

AgStar’s Rural Capital Network

Just because the legislative session is over doesn’t mean Minnesota’s lawmakers get to go on vacation. CRPD Executive Director Brad Finstad talks with Jim about what legislators do in the off-season, from fairs and parades to preparing for the next session.

The Legislative Off-Season

This week on Rural Minnesota Radio, Jim and Marnie talk about the National Rural Assembly, which took place in Bethesda, Md., last week. The event included panels, breakout sessions, and an admonition from the Secretary of Agriculture to rural America: “Be outraged.”

National Rural Assembly, Part 1

This week on Rural Minnesota Radio, Jim talks with Dr. Shannon Fisher of Minnesota State University Mankato’s Water Resources Center. They discuss the problem of nitrates and other runoff found in the Minnesota River watershed.

Watershed Woes