Defend Rural People

Right now, decisions from the federal government are creating big holes in the fabric of our rural places. No matter who we voted for: everyone is riding a roller coaster they didn’t ask to be on.

Have you been impacted by actions from the current administration?

Rural people fight for the future of the places we love and call home. CURE is fighting alongside our neighbors across Minnesota because it’s our home too.

In rural communities across Minnesota, there is almost a running joke that life is predictably quiet, that nothing really happens here. But for people across the country, especially in rural places, life has been turned upside down over the last few months—and the source of that disruption is unsettling. These sweeping changes haven’t come from foreign governments or natural disasters, but as directives from our own federal government. From job cuts and slashed funding to ever-changing tariffs and questionable interpretations of the constitution, these decisions are unleashing chaos and uncertainty. They’ve brought apprehension about what the future may hold, economic worries, fears about the fate of new American neighbors, and an inability for our small businesses and farmers to plan and invest for the future.

Dr. Florey Speaks Out on Rural Healthcare Cuts

A Stroke of the Pen Erased their Legal Status
Ghosted Grant: Little Theater Left Out in the Cold
Why EPA Cuts Threaten Minnesota Waters
Ken’s Story: USDA Grant Freezes
USDA Funding Freeze Hits MN Farmers Hard: Local Food at Risk

Unpredictable Tariffs Affect Farmers

Federal Funding Cuts Affect Farms
LIHEAP Under Threat
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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

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Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!