Foreword: Working together
Julie Tesch, President, Center for Rural Policy & Development

In praise of one state
Tim Penny, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, & Charlie Weaver, Minnesota Business Partnership

Chapter 1: Changing Demographics

Demographic change in Minnesota
Megan Dayton, Minnesota Demographic Center

A memo: About aging in rural Minnesota
LaRhae Grindal Knatterud, MN Department of Human Services

Immigrants and Greater Minnesota
Ryan Allen, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

Newcomers in a small town: The challenges of being an immigrant in rural Minnesota
Cristina Ortiz, University of Minnesota, Morris

Chapter 2: Pillars of the Rural Economy

Great growth in Greater Minnesota: A review of employment
Cameron Macht, Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development

Greater youth
Luke Greiner, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Workforce recruitment: Marketing Big Stone County
Vicki Oakes, Big Stone County

Dear Governor: Working together works
Kevin Paap, President, Minnesota Farm Bureau

Dear Governor: Rural Minnesotans are looking for someone who listens
Gary Wertish, President of Minnesota Farmers Union

Chapter 3: Environment

Beyond buffers: Investing in clean water for resilient communities
Rylee Main, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance

Minnesota’s forests: Worth bragging about, cherishing, sustaining
Charlie Blinn, Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota

Finding balance: Finding economic and environmental sustainability in rural Minnesota
Nick Leonard, Otter Tail County

Chapter 4: Infrastructure

Transportation investments are important in continuing Minnesota’s ag and food success
Tamara Nelsen, Executive Director, Minnesota AgriGrowth Council

Thinking big
Gary Johnson and Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications, Bemidji

Chapter 5: Health Care

Minnesota’s rural health care: There is still no 911 to call
Steve Perkins, Perkins Consulting

The complex map of substance abuse in Minnesota
Thad Shunkwiler, Department of Health Science, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Chapter 6: Education

Helping all of Minnesota’s students thrive
Todd Holthaus & Fred Nolan, Minnesota Rural Education Association

The simply complicated nature of fixing child care
Marnie Werner, Center for Rural Policy & Development

The authors in this publication were invited as experts in their fields to present their views on important topics in Greater Minnesota. Views of the authors do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Center for Rural Policy & Development.