My roots are in Northome, Minnesota, where I grew up and graduated from Northome High School. I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and am still fortunate to call northern Minnesota home now that I live just 15 minutes away in Kelliher. I first learned …
Growing up north of Grand Rapids, I became involved in clubs and groups around Itasca County at a young age. Joining 4-H in second grade, Girl Scouts in sixth grade, and a few sports along the way, I learned to love getting out into the community and making an impact. By the time I was …
When I was attending Greenway High School, the psychology course was offered only to juniors and seniors. I remember complaining during registration for both my first and second years that I could not take it yet and in my first semester of my junior year, it was the first course I signed up for. Even …
A boost when it was needed most Wendy Harrington wanted a career she could be proud of. Persistence and focus, augmented by a Blandin Foundation scholarship award, delivered exactly that for the Nashwauk-Keewatin graduate. I grew up in Nashwauk with an older brother and my parents. Coming from a working class background, I always knew …
To the governing board of Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services for their vision and multi-community collaboration in creating a public regional fiber network that serves residential and business customers in eight rural communities ranging from 59 to just over 3,200 people. In 2011, the communities of Jackson, Brewster, Bingham Lake, Heron Lake, Lakefield, Wilder, Okabena, and …
Tom Duffus Upper Midwest Director – The Conservation Fund The Conservation Fund forges partnerships to protect America’s legacy of land and water resources. Through land acquisition, community and economic development, and conservation training, the Fund and its partners demonstrate effective conservation solutions emphasizing the integration of economic and environmental goals. What aspect or aspects of the …
The Foundation’s Vital Forests/Vital Communities Initiative links healthy forest ecosystems to community vitality and supports our commitment to partner with rural communities to create vital economies in which benefits are widely shared. The Initiative is based on the belief that growing and managing healthy forest ecosystems makes economic and environmental sense. The Vital Forests / …