Redline Express: A tour through redlining and its effects in Duluth

12:30 - 4 p.m.

Tour lead: Susanne Hinrichs

Room: Lake Superior Ballroom L

This guided bus tour will travel the redline through Duluth neighborhoods. You will learn what redlining was, how it affected the development of the city and how this affects people today. We will meet representatives of organizations who are working on disparity issues and we’ll see firsthand how a difference is being made. We will also stop at a Unity Fund site and a New Green Deal Housing site.

Exploring local farms and food systems in northern Minnesota

12:30 - 5 p.m.

Tour lead: Constance Carlson

Meet at Entrance B

Participants will tour three locations in the Duluth area that highlight food production and food systems in action. The tour will examine efforts in urban and rural areas, and the connections between the communities.

Life in and on Lake Superior

12:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Tour leads: Nate Meyer, Jeff Jackson, John Bennett

Room: Lake Superior Ballroom O

The connections between community, family and the natural environment are evident along Minnesota’s Lake Superior shoreline. On this unique self-paced walking tour, we will explore how the Duluth/Superior region’s culture, economy, family life and more has developed in relationship with one of the world's largest lakes. The tour will begin at the Great Lakes Aquarium with a guided tour and time to explore on your own. Then, we will split into small groups to explore points of interest around Canal Park at their own pace using a Google Map with embedded historic pictures, interviews and other learning resources. We will end the tour by reconvening at the DECC to reflect on insights and lessons learned from the tour.

Nourishing our neighbors

12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Tour lead: Linda Erdahl

Meet at Entrance B

Take a look at the role Extension plays in nourishing residents of Duluth across the lifespan. This tour will feature innovative programming happening both locally and across Minnesota in farm-to-school, campus food shelves, and a deep winter greenhouse and mobile market.

Agriculture, food and natural resource trends in the Duluth region

12:30 - 5 p.m.

Tour lead: Troy Salzer

Meet at Entrance B

Agriculture and natural resources have a large presence in and around Duluth. What it takes to raise livestock, grow produce and use our natural resources wisely is ever-changing. Learn what is happening and how it’s affecting the Duluth area via the UMN Natural Resources Research Institute, Bay Produce and a livestock farm.

Forest Assisted Migration Project

12:30 - 4 p.m.

Tour lead: David Abazs

Meet at Entrance B

Northeast Minnesota is experiencing dramatic change, and many northern tree species are dying. Within 50 years, without any intervention, researchers predict that the landscape in northeastern Minnesota will become mostly open grasslands. If this happens, our regional economy, wildlife, culture and all that depend on the forest will be permanently changed. The Forest Assisted Migration Project (FAMP) is attempting to address these challenges. FAMP aims to re-establish a resilient northern forest and bolster the regional economy. Join this mobile learning tour to learn more via stops at a Nature Conservancy site and a local farm.

Water Watchers: Youth as change agents in the environmental context

12:30 - 5 p.m.

Tour leads: Rebecca Meyer, Nancy Hegland

Meet at Entrance B

Learn about citizen science efforts and partnerships in Extension. We will consider site selection, using outdoor spaces for STEM learning and how to engage youth through inquiry. The presentation will help you think about applying the model in other areas of citizen science and other locations. We will feature Extension curriculum and show the value of partnerships. The citizen science efforts featured include 4-H Water Watchers, the partnership with Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District and efforts with Aquatic Invasive Species colleagues. Youth participants from Water Watchers will share their experiences.

Food and medicine: A plant walk — canceled

12:30 - 5 p.m.

Tour lead: Trish Olson

Room: Lake Superior Ballroom MN

Join us for a plant walk with ethnobotanist Linda Black Elk and forager Luke Black Elk. They will identify and discuss edible and medicinal plants right outside the doors of the conference center. Luke and Linda Black Elk are food sovereignty activists and teachers of traditional plant uses, gardening, food preservation and foraging.

Community tourism: Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and building back for a more resilient future

12:30 - 5 p.m.

Tour lead: Xinyi Qian

Tour begins at the Symphony Hall Lobby, at Door D.

Learn how the tourism industry has weathered the pandemic and how they are building a more resilient future. We will hear from the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC), Duluth Workforce Center and Grandma's Marathon. The DECC experienced a near shutdown during the height of the pandemic and has had to be creative with how they re-engage. Our visit to the Workforce Center will help us understand labor issues and strategies to match labor needs with supplies. While many sporting events struggled during the pandemic, Grandma's Marathon has been resilient. We will explore what the marathon organization had done to build resiliency and the steps they have taken to become even more sustainable in the future.

Agriculture, community and economic development: Exploring the experiences of Fond du Lac

12:30 - 5 p.m.

Tour leads: DeeDee LeMier, Bruce Schwartau

Meet at Entrance B

The program will explore some of the economic development challenges and opportunities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Fond du Lac tribe's efforts in developing opportunities in agriculture. Fond du Lac developed a small teaching farm that provides a range of resources for the tribal community. This tour will include a visit with leaders from the casino, a tour of the farm and a visit with tribal leaders exploring issues of economic development, farming on tribal lands and agritourism.