Posts Tagged ‘Howard SD’

Why’s this place boring?

August 19th, 2010

Deb Marquart immediately captured my attention on Monday at the Midwest Rural Assembly.  During her keynote presentation “Reimaging Place,” she explained to the audience that she left her hometown of Napoleon in rural North Dakota as a teenager because it was boring.  As she wrote a book about it as an adult, however, she discovered it was anything but boring.

The statement raised an interesting idea:  Do young people need to write a book in order to appreciate their hometowns? 

Although that question is a bit out there, it might not be as farfetched as one might think.  I’ve actually witnessed first-hand how young people can develop a connection to their community through writing activities. 

 

The Value of Place Based Education

Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Mary Stangohr, a talented English teacher at Howard H.S. (SD) embedded place based education in her classroom.  In one of her units of study, Mary had her students read Broken Heartland by Osha Grey Davison, a book detailing the impact of industrial agriculture on rural communities. 

Whether they agreed with the author’s assessment or not, the book connected with most students because they could see similar trends in agriculture happening around them.  In some cases, it connected on an emotional level as some students saw how these changes impacted their parent’s farms, businesses, and places of employment.  It even opened the door for young people to talk to adults about issues that seldom get discussed.

But Mary didn’t end the project with reading the book.  She brought in a community historian who shared engaging stories about growing up in the community.  She took students on field trips to places like to Vilas, SD where students were able to visually experience what life was like in a town back in the 1920-30 before its population shrunk from 400-500 to 19 people today.  And then as a capstone, she required students to write a paper or produce a multimedia project that shared what they had learned.  

I’m not sure if student’s scores on the grammar section of mandatory testing increased as a result of the project.  But I’m positive that the activity encouraged them to dig in and connect more deeply to the subject, and that certainly made them better writers.

 

It’s more than good learning

Beyond the value of helping students become better writers, the project had another impact; Mary’s students came to understand their community better, and I think in many cases, to develop a deeper emotional connection to their hometown. 

In her own way, this is what Marquart shared with her audience at the Midwest Rural Assembly.  She grew up in her rural North Dakota community without knowing much about it.  Sure, she knew the people who lived there.  She knew they worked hard to eke out a living.  But she didn’t know the personal stories that made her community rich. 

Without those stories, it’s easy for any place to appear boring.

 

Photo Credit:  National Rural Assembly - Flickr (Shawn Poyter - permission granted)

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Taylor Calmus: Shooting for Hollywood stardom

April 23rd, 2010

(Note: It’s Friday, which means this post is a part of our “I Feel Fridays” project.  Our goal is to share stories from the past week that generated an emotional response.  We encourage readers to respond to the post or to share something from their lives in the past week. To learn more about “I Feel Fridays,” check out this post- and then tell us what you’re feeling.)

The rural Midwest is typically not recognized as a hotbed of thespian talent.  But today, I feel proud of a young Howard native, Taylor Calmus, who is attempting to build a career as an actor in Los Angeles, and want to share a bit of his story.

I ran into Taylor on Wednesday when he was back serving as a “guest employee of the day” at his mother’s coffee shop in Howard.   I tried engaging Taylor in a conversation about his career while he was taking my order.  But I cut the questions short as he fumbled over the keys of the cash register. (Based on Taylor’s performance operating the machine, I hope he’s not working in a coffee shop like many other aspiring actors. :-) ) 

One subject we did get a chance to talk briefly about was his attempt to become Flo’s assistant in the “Help Flo” contest sponsored by Progressive Insurance.  Personally, I thought the video he produced (and which is embedded below) for the contest was a winner.  Unfortunately, he didn’t make Progressive’s Top 10 list.

 

In many ways, Taylor reminds me of an entrepreneur; to be a successful actor, he will need to develop his skills, be a risk-taker, and learn how to sell himself. 

Previously, I’ve written that rural communities need to do a better job of lifting up local entrepreneurs who are successful.  If we don’t, young people will assume that they HAVE to move to larger communities to be successful.  Even though some individuals, like respected blogger Jim Russell, question this strategy as a means of “retaining” young people, I stand by it.   

I do not, however,  want readers to think that we should discourage young people from setting goals that may lead them elsewhere.  I’m excited by Taylor’s desire to become an actor.  I’m proud of his decision to move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career; it’s definitely not an opportunity his hometown of Howard can offer. 

But I think I know Taylor. And when he makes it big in the movie industry, he will never think of himself as better than his classmates who have chosen to live in small, rural communities.   He’s just made a different, not better, choice than others. 

And that’s why it’s easier to cheer, “Go Taylor!  We’re rooting for you.”

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SD Public Radio talks Green Jobs

November 6th, 2009

South Dakota Public Radio aired a report yesterday focused on green job development in Howard, SD.  Individuals can listen to it here.

The story, reported by Charles Michael Ray, noted that the community stands to benefit from the creation of additional “green jobs” if the Climate Bill passes Congress.  It goes on to note that some community members fear that it will have an adverse affect on their livelihoods.  

What captured my attention, however, was a quote offered by Robert Mommaerts, who oversees the molding process for the wind turbine blades manufactured by Knight & Carver in Howard.  He said:

Not only do I enjoy my job but I enjoy the fact that I’m making a difference in the world by doing my job,” Mommaerts says.  ” I’ve always been interested in alternative energy and being able to actually help make it a reality is just that much more enriching for me,” he says.

Mommaerts goes on to tell Ray that he wants to live in a rural place like Howard because it offers “a safe, wholesome place to raise a family.”

Green Jobs are important

There’s little doubt that creating jobs has been an important part of Howard’s recent economic success. But Mommaerts reminds us that young people today don’t just want any job:  they often want a job that also allows them to make a difference (read more on Gen Y characteristics here.)

That is something that more economic development professionals may want to think about as they work to establish new businesses.  Perhaps all jobs are not created equal.  Especially not if the goal is to attract young people.

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ReImagine Rural Education

November 6th, 2009

Lately we’ve been calling on rural communities to “reimagine” their futures by focusing on transformational strategies rather than those of revitalization.  In a recent post on the Daily Yonder, Timothy Collins reminded me that this can’t take place without “reimaging” the future of education in our rural communities.

Collins, the assistant director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, wrote his post titled “Speak your peace: Longer School Year, and Better,” in response to President Obama’s call for lengthening the number of days in the school year.  While recognizing that lengthening the school year should improve education, Collins sees a bigger opportunity: 

If we’re going to lengthen the school year, let’s talk about real changes that will not only improve student achievement, but also build rural communities capable of participating effectively in the new green economy.

Schools and communities getting better together?  Yes!

 

The Roots of the Miner County story are in education

In Miner County, SD we view the Miner County Cash Flow Study, conducted in 1996 by high school students, as the start of our transformational activities.  In this project, the students sought to reverse a decline in local purchasing by (1) studying local spending habits through a community survey, (2) sharing what they learned with community residents, and (3) challenging everyone to spend 10% more of their income locally in the upcoming year. 

It was the type of learning that doesn’t come from a textbook and definitely can’t be measured on a standardized test.  But equally important, it met two of the community needs:  it helped strengthen local businesses and increased tax revenues for the City of Howard.  In following year, residents increased local spending by approximately 40%. 

These and other place-based learning activities conducted in the school over the next few years strengthened the connection between the school and community. The work also played a key role in the Northwest Area Foundation selecting Miner County as their first partner in the Community Ventures program.

 

How can this be done?

Collins answers his call for change by producing a litany of outstanding ideas for connecting schools and communities.  It’s good stuff!  Not only do his ideas provide value to rural communities, but they also help build a bridge to the green economy and youth entrepreneurship. 

But how does one initiate the types of changes Collins advocates?  The following are a few thoughts I’d like to share. 

First, realize that no single person is going to accomplish change on this level by him or herself.  A superintendent or mayor can help lead the change.  But I think it requires deep conversation with the entire community. 

Second, find ways to prime the pump for conversation by making sure people are exposed to new ideas.  A good place to start would be with Collin’s ideas. Ask people to read and react to them.

Third, make sure young people are a part of the process.  Young people’s voices can produce powerful insights when adults treat them as partners. 

Whatever process is used, however, I think it’s important to remember that the essential question to focus on is “How do rural schools and communities get better together?” 

That’s Reimagining Rural Education. 

 

 Note:  The RLC is currently in the process of developing some free resources that help explain the Miner County Cash Flow Study.  Anyone interested in receiving the first one, titled the Miner County Cash Flow Study Resource Guide should sign up for it at the top of the sidebar.  Individuals who sign up will be notified as other resources are developed.

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Bob Sutton “gets” ReImagine Rural

September 5th, 2009

In our work at the Rural Learning Center, we’ve long recognized the importance of place. It is, after all the root of our work that began with our Howard H.S. students back in the 1990s.

The theme of place emerged several times Wednesday in the speeches presented at the Rural Learning Center groundbreaking ceremony. While all were excellent, I think Bob Sutton, President of the South Dakota Community Foundation best captured the power of place.

Seeking inspiration to write his speech, Bob actually drove to Howard, sat under the trees of the Miner County Courthouse lawn, and absorbed the essence of the place.

The result was incredible. Inspiring and insightful. All in just under 10 minutes. That’s how place can get under your skin. If you don’t believe me, watch his presentation for yourself.

A couple topics stood out for me in Bob’s talk, and I’d like to share them below.

The Ingredients of Success

First, whenever one talks about the future of rural places, the conversation often turns to job creation and financial investment. As Bob eloquently describes, money is not the only ingredient; “Resources such as time and talent, leadership skills, motivational conversation, and a rekindling of the spirit of hope is just as critical in places like Howard.”

How true.

People sometimes think that the recent positive developments in Miner County have occurred because we were lucky enough to receive a sizeable grant from the Northwest Area Foundation. While important, money alone would not have produced the same results.

The Power of ReImagining Rural

Second, there’s a power in reimagining the future of rural communities. Having experienced 50-80 years of economic decline, rural residents in our part of the country have a tendency to look backwards and develop a feeling of hopelessness. That hopelessness causes us to doubt the success of projects like the Maroney Rural Learning Center - like one reader of the Argus Leader’s story wrote in their forum - even before the project has gets off the ground.

And that’s why celebrations like this groundbreaking were so important.

Why Groundbreakings?

Yesterday, I had an opportunity to interview Dan Scott, a lawyer from St. Paul, MN. Dan grew up in Howard where his dad was the long-time superintendent. (His dad is the guy who hired me to come to Howard back in 1996.)

Even though Dan lives 6 hours away from Howard, he made the trip back to Howard for the groundbreaking ceremony. This prompted me to ask “Why?” His response is below.

That’s right. We do need to pause, reflect, and celebrate. And through this reflection and celebration we can begin to dream of the possibilities for our future.

A big thanks to Bob Sutton for his remarkable remarks on Wednesday. He is someone who is helping communities in South Dakota to “reimagine rural.”

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Photos of Rural Learning Center Groundbreaking

September 5th, 2009

It’s a clique, but it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words.  For that reason, we want to share photos from the Maroney Rural Learning Center Groundbreaking celebration.  I’ve uploaded some of the photos to this blog post, but you can find more at our Flickr stream. (go here to view all pictures) .

 

We’ve also created a Flickr group called “Maroney Rural Learning Center Groundbreaking” so that others who took pictures at the event can share them with us.  If would like to add your photos to this group, but need a little help, feel free to shoot me a message (mike@ruraltransformations.com) and I’ll help you do so.   

 

 

    

   

 

 

 

 

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South Dakota at its Best

September 4th, 2009

At the Maroney Rural Learning Center groundbreaking ceremony, Kevin Walker, President of the Northwest Area Foundation, quoted late 18th Century visionary William Blake saying “What is now proved was once only imagined.” Walker also noted that although brilliant, Blake was considered insane by his contemporaries for his unusual ideas and idiosyncrasies.

That quote resonated with me.  When the idea of building the Rural Learning Center was first proposed seven to eight years ago, many people thought it was insane.

That’s why the Citi Foundation grant to the project was so affirming.  And now, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader published an editorial titled “Howard learning center is S.D. at its best.”

Who knows maybe we are not so crazy after all. 

     

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What do famous people have to say about ReImaging Rural?

September 3rd, 2009

Well the Rural Learning Center created quite a stir yesterday with the groundbreaking ceremony.  Enough so, that the story has been featured in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, the Mitchell Daily Republic, and on KSFY television.  I expect to see more stories popping up throughout the day.

In all, we listened to twelve individuals at the ceremony and not one of them was a “dud.”  All were engaging, thoughtful and to the point.

Anyone who could not attend will be happy to know that we captured much of the celebration, including speakers and interviews, on video.  I’ve been busy ever since converting the video and taking notes.  Hopefully, I’ll finish up early this afternoon.

Besides being “quoatable,” many of the speakers used quotes from famous individuals to draw emphasis and interest.  Although the quotes originated with people from all walks of life, each offered guidance for what we need to do as we work to “reimagine rural” America. 

Until all of the video is ready to view, I want to share a few of those quotes.  I’d also invite you to reflect on the words, and see how they speak to you.  Perhaps you will find new meaning for them in addition to what our speakers had to share. 

 

John Mengenhausen, President of Howard Industries quoted  John F. Kennedy  
“One man can make a difference, but every man should try.”

Kevin Walker, President/CEO of the Northwest Area Foundation quoted William Blake   
“What is now proved was once only imaged.”

Mike McDowell, General Manager of Heartland Consumer Power District quoted Vince Lombardi 
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.”

Mike McDowell also quoted Mark Twain 
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did do.”

Jeff Duff, President/COO of Airstreams Renewable, Inc. quoted Wayne Gretzky
“You know I don’t skate to where the puck is, I skate to where the puck is going to be.”

 

Update: The Madison Daily Leader ran this story Thursday (Sept.3) in the afternoon.

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Why does “Rural” matter?

September 2nd, 2009

In our part of the country, most rural communities have experienced 50-80 years of economic decline.  This decline often leads to feelings of despair and hopelessness. 

A Sense of Hope

At the Rural Learning Center (RLC), however, we have a sense of empowerment and hopefulness.  We base that optimism in part on the progress being made in Howard, South Dakota and surrounding Miner County, where our work began.

Two of the most compelling signs of that progress include the Howard municipal sales tax revenues and the construction of the second phase to the Rural Learning Center.

 

How did you get started in Miner County?

As Randy Parry, President of the RLC, indicates in the video below titled “How did you get started in Miner County?” our work began with high school students studying local sales tax trends. Seeking to make an impact, these students shared their learning with the citizens of Howard.  Their efforts as well as the innovative community development work that followed sparked an “invest in local” movement  resulting in significant business investment that translated into  record sales tax revenues.   (see image above)

Today, we are celebrating the groundbreaking for Phase II of the Rural Learning Center in Howard.  Dignitaries from around the country will be in attendance to help us celebrate and “reimagine” the possibilities for our rural places.

Why does Rural Matter?

But as we do, I think it is important that we reflect on why rural communities matter and why the Rural Learning Center is important to their futures. 

To help initiate that conversation, I’ve produced a short video in which I asked Rural Learning Center employees those very questions.  I hope it spurs you to reflect and share your thoughts on the subject.

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Green jobs in Rural America

August 21st, 2009

Most of the talk about green job development has focused on urban areas, especially depressed, inner cities.  But yesterday the conversation turned towards Rural America, and what’s already been accomplished there.

The conversation was initiated by Repower America, who held a press conference in Howard, SD to show their support for The American Clean Energy and Security Act.  The organization believes the legislation could help bring 5,000 new jobs to South Dakota. 

Because it is home to two wind energy companies, Howard (pop. 1071) was the perfect community to showcase this potential.  Those two companies, Knight & Carver Wind Group and Energy Maintenance Service, offer good paying jobs that have helped diversify the town’s economy.

What’s exciting is that this is just the start. An article in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader quotes Sam Brown, Knight & Carver’s President saying:

South Dakota “has made it easy to come here,” Brown said. “We’re interested in staying - and expanding. This legislation helps us move in that direction.”

There are a lot of pros and cons to this proposed legislation, and I’ll let readers make up their own minds on it.  But I hope people keep in mind that green job development has already stimulated the economy of at least one rural community.  And that the future could be even greater. 

Photo: Gary Kanaby, Knight & Carver VP of Sales, speaks at the groundbreaking ceramony in Aug. 2006.

Note: Howard was an early pioneer in wind energy industry.  Back in 2001, they became the first community in South Dakota to own and operate their own wind turbines.

PS (8-24-09) –Based on a few a few conversations I’ve received since first publishing, some people may have taken this post as advocacy for The America Clean Energy and Security Act.  Admittedly, I don’t know enough about the legislation to take a strong stance for or against it.  What I do hope to see more support for is smart grid technology. It offers the opportunity for the innovation needed to bring clearner sources of energy into the mainstream.  To learn more, read here and here.

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