Browsing by Subject "rural Minnesota"

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    Building Community, Embracing Difference: Immigrants, Refugees, and Local Government Outreach in Rural Minnesota
    (Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 2021-05-20) Gehlen, Elizabeth; Moore, Josiah; Oachs, Whitney; Redmer, Ryan
    Immigrant and refugee populations in Greater Minnesota face distinct challenges and have distinct needs. Government responsibility for the wellbeing of immigrant and refugee populations in rural Minnesota is shared across state, county, and city levels. Government actions can be augmented by community groups and local employers, but all groups have the potential to play an improved role ensuring those who have settled in rural Minnesota continue to feel welcome, respected, and represented in their community. A growing body of literature on rural America’s relationship with international migration highlights the influence of effective government communication and representation on successful integration, access to services, and social cohesion. This report draws upon the established body of research and interviews with twenty government staffers, elected representatives, and community members from four sample cities in rural Minnesota. These interviews assessed government perceptions of issues facing local immigrant and refugee communities and, in turn, how well connected these local governments are to those populations. From this data we have determined that, while immigrants and refugees are now recognized as integral to the prosperity future of rural Minnesota by government officials, there remain barriers in access, communication, and representation that is often blamed on language differences and self-segregation. While it seems as though most local government officials have good intentions, they struggle to understand the systemic barriers, difference in cultures, and community-wide prejudices that lead to community distrust and disharmony. These findings have implications for county and city policies and funding, hiring and representation considerations, and the retention of immigrant and refugee populations in rural communities across the State of Minnesota and beyond.
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    Fields to streams: managing water in rural landscapes Part 2: Managing sediment and water
    (University of Minnesota Extension, 2015) Lewandowski, Ann; Everett, Leslie; Lenhart, Chris; Terry, Karen; Origer, Mark; Moore, Richard
    Fields to Streams details connections between land use, runoff, and water quality in rural landscapes. The two-part book highlights practices to improve and protect rural streams and shows how land management can affect the rate of runoff that shapes them. The publication was prepared for landowners, land managers, and the conservation professionals who work with them to help them talk about and address local watershed issues. It draws on research from Minnesota and Iowa, providing concise explanations and graphics to highlight concepts and practices. Part One, "Water Shaping the Landscape," explains the role of Minnesota's geology, changing rainfall, and land management practices in altering the amount and timing of runoff reaching and shaping streams and rivers. Part Two, "Managing Sediment and Water," describes practices for managing crops, drainage systems, surface runoff, wetlands, impoundments, and stream corridors to reduce peak flows and lessen the amount of streambank, bluff, and ravine erosion.