This week Governor Mark Dayton’s office and Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson released a new proposal for a groundwater protection measure that aims to reduce elevated nitrate levels in drinking water. This proposal is the result of input gathered from seventeen public meetings across the state that engaged over 1,500 farmers, landowners, and other […]
New rules proposed for nitrate reduction in groundwater Read More »
CURE is honored to lift up members Carmen and Sally Fernholz as they host a Kernza Field Day at their farm in Madison. Through both organic and sustainable farming practices, the Fernholz family have been role models of land stewardship in the watershed. CURE is reaching out to our network to invite you to take
Join Us! Kernza Field Day at A-Frame Farm, Thursday, August 10, 2017 Read More »
In 2009, McDonald’s made a promise to U.S. consumers because of the work of a small group of rural Minnesotans living around RD Offutt’s (RDO) potato fields. McDonald’s promised to cut its use of pesticides on its French fries. Seven years later little has changed in McDonald’s pesticide consumption. Those rural Minnesotans are still sprayed
Toxic Taters Week of Action Read More »
November 5, CURE hosted a presentation by Don Reicosky, a retired USDA-ARS soil scientist still actively educating people world-wide about his research on CO2 emissions, tillage practices in agriculture and soil organic matter. By Ariel Herrod, CURE Program Assistant.
Climate Change, Water, and Dirt 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!
