Applications for grants to support habitat restoration, scientific research and educational projects in the Nerstrand-Dennison Minnesota area are now being sought by the Engeseth-Rinde Fund Advisory Committee and Northfield Shares. Grants typically focus on native habitat restoration of units of the Prairie Creek Wildlife Management Area working in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Scientific research and educational projects may also be funded where the projects have applicability in the Nerstrand-Dennison area. Applications for Engeseth-Rinde Grants can be made by government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and other similar organizations and usually are in the range of $500 to $15,000. Grant application proposals should be submitted by November 1, 2019. More information about the application process can be found on the website for Friends of Prairie Creek WMA at https://prairiecreekwma.wixsite.com/fopc/grants.

Tim Duane is an accomplished designer of environmental and energy solutions, with a unique combination of academic and practical experience. As an attorney and consultant, he has more than three decades of professional experience in the fields of energy, climate, land use, natural resources, water, and environmental policy, planning, and law. He began working in the renewable energy industry in 1979 and published his first reports discussing climate change in 1990. He is a leading expert on “greening the grid” and the regulatory permitting challenges of renewable energy development. Duane is also professor-in-residence at the University of San Diego School of Law, where he teaches climate law and policy and environmental law and policy.

Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin is the chief strategy officer for the Main Street Project, a Minnesota non-profit organization with a focus in rural development. For more than a decade, Main Street Project has been working to create pathways out of poverty for the growing numbers of rural Latino immigrants relegated to working in low-wage farm and food industry jobs, with no benefits and no future. Main Street Project has developed programs to deliver specialized agriculture training and skills that could help immigrant workers increase their incomes and leverage new job opportunities.

The next electronics recycling event is on Saturday October 6th. It will take place at the UCC Church at 300 Union Street in Northfield from 10am to noon.

Please drop off materials on the collection day only. Jim, the recycler, is still accepting CRT televisions and monitors, but they must be transportable by one person and there is a small cash fee for each, depending on the size.

Any other electronic items will be accepted, as will metal items. If you have questions about what can or can’t be dropped off, please contact Jim directly at 651-214-3857.

If you are looking for a way to get out and about and enjoy our winters town this Saturday, March 2nd, head down the First UCC for the monthly electronics recycling event. It will take place, as usual, from 10 to noon. Just remember, you can only drop off items the day of, and earlier is better. Jim often needs to start packing up before noon.

Jim will again be collecting TVs and computer monitors, including old fashioned CRT versions. They do need to be movable by one person and there is a $5 – $40 cash charge depending on the size.

If you have questions about what can or can’t be dropped off, please contact Jim directly at 651-214-3857.

LaDonna Redmond is a food justice activist who was inspired to fight for a fairer food system after facing limited access to healthy, organic food in her Chicago community. She co-founded the Chicago Food Systems Collaborative, a university and community partnership that explored the issues of food access and public health in low-income communities.