Field Notes

MN Leg 🏛️ + Data Centers 🔥 + MN Values 🚫 + Staff Departure 👋

CURE Previews the 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session

MN Legislative Session is in Full Swing

Minnesota’s 2026 legislative session kicked off last week. As always, CURE remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for rural communities and their vital interests at the state legislature. CURE’s 2026 MN Legislative priorities: READ about them and WATCH our preview webinar. Remember: your voice is critical to remind lawmakers why their action (or inaction) matters to Minnesotans across the state.

Data Center Information + Action

Data Center Rally at MN Capitol

Concern about & community action around hyperscale data centers in MN continues to grow. Catch up on our webinar series HERE & stay tuned for the last installment on community benefit agreements in late March. Last week, we rallied for stronger regulations and common-sense legislation. But Minnesotans across the state need to let lawmakers know that YOU WANT THEM to support this badly needed oversight policy overhaul. Sign up to show your support and get future alerts.   

ICE Detention plans for Appleton defy Minnesota Values

No ICE Detention Prayer Vigil in Appleton

This winter, Minnesota has been rocked by an army of masked federal agents targeting immigrants and Minnesotans of color. Now ICE is making plans to develop sites for massive detention centers, including the shuttered Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, MN, owned by private prison giant CoreCivic. Turning the Appleton prison into an ICE detention site is out of step with who we are as Minnesotans and prioritizes corporate profits over people and morality. CURE remains one of the leading voices sounding the alarm because this isn’t just an Appleton issue—it’s a threat to all Minnesotans. WATCH CURE’s Andy Pearson speak to this on TPT’s Almanac. 

Erik departs after a decade

Erik Hatlestad

This month, Erik Hatlestad leaves after more than a decade at CURE. Erik is a dedicated worker and valued colleague who came to CURE as a young student organizer and leaves as a respected rural leader on state and federal energy policy. Erik is one of the country’s leading experts on rural electric cooperatives and energy democracy. Most recently, he played a key role in crafting the new Empowering Rural America Program. New ERA is a USDA/Rural Utility Service program that is bringing $10 billion to Rural Electric Cooperative utilities to accelerate clean energy investments. Erik’s values-driven spirit and list of innovative accomplishments will underpin his future.

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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!