Ground Level®: Amplifying Community Voices

Your story is powerful. The stories you share with others honor the complexity of our communities while forging a more equitable and vibrant future.

Call 651-228-4800 and leave us a voice memo. If you're more comfortable texting, you can text “Hello” to 1-833-870-4111. You can also email us at tell@mpr.org and join in on conversations in our Ground Level Facebook group.

We’d like to hear your thoughts and questions. Your ideas about solutions. How are your communities? What are you seeing today? And what do you want to see tomorrow?

Note that while we will exercise editorial judgment for language, length and avoiding personal attacks, we will not sacrifice your meaning. We will ensure your main message comes through on air and online.

October 19, 2010 6:46 AM

Solve a problem together, win a contest

The Bush Foundation has launched a contest called the InCommons Collaboration Challenge to encourage community residents getting together to solve problems.

by Dave Peters

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

October 18, 2010 8:27 AM

Local food, global hunger

Smal food producers are the center, not only of the local foods movement in Minnesota, they may hold the key to solving world hunger, say researchers at a University of Minnesota forum.

by Dave Peters

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

October 18, 2010 5:03 AM

A good customer keeps pig farmers in business

A small LeSueur area pig farm doesn’t fit the “local food” label, but it’s a heritage from that stays in business because of its emphasis on premium meat and its connection with a high-end national label.

by Nancy Lebens

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

October 15, 2010 12:04 PM

Medicine Cabinet Clean-out

Todd County health officials got residents to turn in unused and unneeded drugs at the first Medicine Cabinet Clean Out.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

October 15, 2010 4:10 AM

Finding the ‘digitally distant’

The digital divide is more than infrastructure, a Blandin Foundation conference on broadband Internet access shows.

by Dave Peters

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

October 13, 2010 12:12 PM

From bars to the landfill — the case for fiber in Brainerd

A Blandin Foundation conference on broadband access to the Internet kicked off with a Brainerd tour and testimonials for how demand is building for faster access.

by Dave Peters

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

October 13, 2010 4:04 AM

‘An old gal that pretty much does what she wants to’

Dort Gear died at 93 on Saturday, leaving a legacy of volunteer activity in Todd County and the memory of a spirit of independence.

by Dave Peters

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

October 13, 2010 3:17 AM

Shifting perspectives about the exurbs

Has Baldwin grown too big to be resilient? Will its future see less residents, less houses, less roads? Or is the growth that emerged from the boom here to stay even after the bust?