Rural Minnesota is experiencing rapid change. As local economies shift from agriculture to services and industry, small communities are struggling to revive and reinvent their economies. Residents are aging, and young people are leaving for cities. The resulting rural decline and decay often dominate media and public opinion. Essay written by Natalie Hoidal and Jordan Wente, University of MN Morris Students.
“Estar in el Prairie” Read More »
On the Friday of River History Weekend, CURE unveiled its Leadership Network at an event designed to explore the rural Millennial experience. About 50 people attended “Don’t Worry; We’ve Got This” – A Gathering of Rising Leaders, and after a panel of presentations, 36 participated in a World Cafe discussion about their experiences with leadership. Post by Ariel Herrod.
CURE’s Leadership Network Unveiled Read More »
For 2013, Kylene Olson of Watson, MN and the Executive Director of the Chippewa River Watershed Project was recognized for 16 years of exemplary watershed work and was awarded the RiverKeeper Award at CURE’s 22nd Annual Meeting.
Kylene Olson recipient of CURE’s 2013 RiverKeeper Award for outstanding watershed work Read More »
CURE is planning a World Café as an integral part of our event “Don’t Worry; We’ve Got This” – A Gathering of Rising Leaders on Friday, May 2. We want to discuss the theme of leadership, especially in a rural context, and learn what beginning leaders need to become full-fledged community powerhouses. Post by Ariel Herrod, Watershed Sustainability Program Coordinator.
What’s Great About a World Café? Read More »
On a Monday evening, 10 Millennials and a Baby Boomer gathered in a church basement. It sounds like a bad joke, but the refurbished church basement was home to CURE staff Sarina Otaibi, and the Millennials and Baby Boomer had come together for a pretty serious focus group on transitional leadership and social change. Post by Sarina Otaibi & Ariel Herrod.
CURE Engages the Next Generation of Rural Leaders Read More »
As someone who has always been interested in politics and policy, and as someone who holds the late Senator Paul Wellstone in high regard, I had been waiting for years to have the opportunity to attend Camp Wellstone. So, when CURE offered the students of MPIRG at the University of Minnesota, Morris and me a chance to attend the training, I could barely contain my excitement. Blog post by Erik Hatlestad, MPIRG Morris Campus Organizer.
Western Minnesota Leadership Done the Wellstone Way Read More »
PolyMet Mining Corp. has offered Minnesota a Faustian bargain in the form of a sulfide mine in the Superior National Forest. The company has promised 20 years of jobs, economic stimulus, and the revival of the mining economy of Northern Minnesota through the extraction of copper, nickel, and other metals. An open-pit mine and prosperity. Oh, and 500 years of toxic waste clean-up. By Ariel Herrod at CURE with support from Erik Hatlestad at MPIRG.
Sulfide Mining: Where will it take us? Read More »
In October, individuals from the area were invited to attend a weekend-long ‘Activate Vacant Space Workshop’. Local community members collaborated with students from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and design professionals to brainstorm ideas for two specific projects. By Ariel Herrod, CURE Program Assistant.
MCAD Concludes Upper MN River Valley Greater Minnesota Arts Initiative’s 2013 Project Read More »
6 high-school-aged youth and 4 adults enjoyed a beautiful autumn day, while canoeing and kayaking on the Minnesota River this October. Several of the participants were in a kayak or canoe for the first time, and many on the river for the first time.
By Kylene Olson, Executive Director of the Chippewa River Watershed Project and a CURE Member A group of 16 river enthusiasts gathered at Memorial Park on the Minnesota River in Granite Falls on Saturday, September 28, for a Mussel Field Day with Bernard Sietman from the MN Dept. of Natural Resources, one of two specialists
Mussel Field Day on the Minnesota River with Bernard Sietman Read More »
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!
