The cohort will meet seven times in Collegeville. At each meeting, experts on critical issues facing rural communities will present to the Fellows. The schedule is as follows:
Inaugural meeting
November 8 (Noon) – 9 (Noon), 2021
at Saint John’s Abbey Guesthouse
Guest presenters:
- Dr. Martin Giese, Oak Hills Christian College
- Abbot John Klassen, Saint John’s Abbey
The Changing Face of Minnesota and Its Implications for the Future
February 7 (9am) – 8 (4pm), 2022
at Saint John’s Abbey Guesthouse
Guest presenters:
- Dr. Susan Brower, MN State Demographer
- Luke Greiner, Department of Employment & Economic Development
- Bill Blazar, MN Chamber of Commerce
The Rural Economy
May 23 (9am) – 24 (4pm), 2022
at Collegeville Institute
Guest presenters:
- Ben Winchester, Community Vitality, UMN Extension Center
- LuAnn Popp, Caldwell Bankers
- Aaron Meester, West Bank
- Betsy Roder, New York Mills Cultural Center
Immigration as an Opportunity and a Challenge
August 15 (9am) – 16 (4pm), 2022
at Collegeville Institute
Guest presenters:
- Allison Liuzzi, Wilder Foundation
- Martha Castanon, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
- Br. Efrain Rosado, Saint John’s Abbey
- Dawn Finn
Health Care and Social Services in Rural Minnesota
November 14 (9am) – 15 (4pm), 2022
at Saint John’s Abbey Guesthouse
Guest presenters:
- TBD
The Environment
February 6 (9am) – 7 (4pm), 2023
at Saint John’s Abbey Guesthouse
Guest presenters:
- TBD
Debilitating Issues in Rural Life (poverty, addictions, & others) and Capstone Gathering
May 22 (9am) – 24 (noon), 2023
at Collegeville Institute
Guest presenters:
- TBD
