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In episode #56, Conversation with GreenStep Co-Directors Kristin Mroz and Lola Schoenrich, we explore the positive contributions local communities can have on our lives. We cover a multitude of topics: Sustainability Renewable Energy Resiliency Green Space Equity Collaboration Youth Tribal Nations Local Communities Comprehensive Solutions Climate Change Kristin and Lola share their wealth of knowledge on these topics and many more. They detail how the Minnesota GreenStep program works and benefits the 141 communities that have volunteered to participate. We also touch on the Sustainable States Network and the Great Plains Institute. As Lola said in our chat, "Don't waste time on things that don't matter."

Episode #55 of Wimmer's Wilderness Podcast features our first international conversation with BeeVital's very own Chiara Riolfi. BeeVital is an Austrian Company specializing in honeybee health. Chiara shared a great deal of information about honeybees in numerous countries, regulatory issues when bringing a product to market and how a science-based business improves our environment. Wimmer’s Wilderness is an informed look at Politics, Community, Government, Environment, and Education from a local perspective. Our regions, states, and countries are simply a collection of local communities working together. If we can make a positive change in our local communities, it will lead to better outcomes at the regional, state, and national levels.

In today's Episode of Wimer's Wilderness, we have a conversation with Keith Dragisich, Vice President and Chief Development Officer, about Community Banking. What is a community bank? It is a locally owned and operated financial institution. They address the needs of a community by offering loans to small-business owners or personal loans to individuals. Keith and I discuss the benefits of local community banks and how they have evolved. We share several stories and take a deep dive into banking operations. Keith gives us a lot of great advice on how businesses and individuals can benefit from local banks.

In Episode #53, we talk with Clayton Timm of Green Leaf Farms. This aquaponics operation based in Chetek, Wisconsin, is producing Fresh Swiss chard, basil, romaine, kale, leaf lettuce, and tilapia.  At the start of the episode, I give a few minutes of aquaponics history and background information. Clayton and I then discuss the aquaponics' ins and outs and have a little advice if you are interested in starting your operation. 

In episode #52, we discuss Farming. That word means a lot of different things. We have big ag with farms as large as 190,000 farmland acres down to a fraction of an acre for aquaponics operation. Our discussion is going to touch on these and everything in between. Farm finances are also a key topic of debate and the impacts of trade policies. Small community-based farms are a key to a sustainable future. Plus, how many podcasts will play a John Mellencamp song and a clip of Milton Friedman in the same episode?

In episode #51, we discuss Down Ballot. As elections come to a close Nov 3rd, it is essential to understand how down-ballot races impact our lives. It is more than just a Presidential election. Make sure you stick around till the end to play our quiz. You will have a chance to win our Wimmer’s Wilderness Mason glass drinking jar, recycled cardboard pen, and our very popular reusable/retractable drinking straw.

In episode #50, we discuss the Presidency. As the Presidential election comes to a close Nov 3rd, it is essential to understand the position, its powers, and how it has evolved. In today's podcast, we explore the following three points: Point #1 What is the American Presidency? Point #2 How do we pick a President? Point #3 How has the Office of President changed over time? We use a few audio clips from the West Wing, Winston Churchill, and Plato's Republic to help make a few points. We finish with our Quiz allowing our listeners to win a Wimmer's Wilderness Mason glass drinking jar, recycled cardboard pen, reusable-retractable metal drinking straw, and a $50 gift card.

In episode #49, we discuss voting in depth. We cover five main points. Point #1 - Founding Fathers' views and some local community views on who should vote. Point #2 - How the first several national elections impacted voting, Point #3 - Important dates in voting history with some help from historical voices of Sojourner Truth as read by Kerry Washington, Martin Luther King Jr, and LBJ. Point #4 - Recent voting changes and issues. We use audio from a public Brookings Institute discussion regarding the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder. Point # 5 - When does voting start and where to vote. We end our episode with our quiz.

In Episode #48 we have a great conversation with Cameron Winkler, the President of Conservation Made Simple. We discuss his interest in conservation, starting when he was a 12-year-old volunteering at his local zoo and evolving into a non-profit to educate and lead on environmental issues. Conservation Made Simple is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose goal is to empower people to acknowledge and reduce their environmental impact. We believe that it is possible for anyone to change the environment in a positive way. Today, the Conservation Made Simple team reaches out to people through social media and our programs and projects to inspire individuals, communities, and businesses to build a planet that will thrive.

In Episode #47, we discuss Education funding trends from 2005 to date. We explore the effects on education funding of the Great Recession and the economic recovery up to the Covid19 Pandemic impact. Our second topic delves into the promise of state lotteries and the realities of their negative trends on education funding. We finish with my run for a local school board seat and our fun Quiz.

In episode #46, we are going to discuss the census in depth. I have covered the census previously, but it is essential to keep getting the word out to get our national count completed and done accurately. We are covering 5 points Point #1 What is the Census? Point #2 What it means to Apportionment? Point #3 What it means to Funding? Point #4 Why is this Census Different in 2020? Point #5 How do we Count everyone?

We have a fun conversation with William Colaw and Cara Loeb the Co-Founders of CritterFacts. Their Mission is: 'To spread knowledge, create curiosity, and inspire appreciation, for wildlife and our environment, that in turn promotes wildlife welfare, supports conservation efforts, and helps to preserve the world around us.' Learn more by going to CritterFacts.com

In Episode #44 we do a quick update about Covid19 and school openings then spend most of the episode talking about starting a backyard honey bee operation.  Wimmer’s Wilderness is an informed look at Politics, Community, Government, Environment and Education from a local perspective. Our regions, states and countries are simply a collection of local communities working together. If we are able to make a positive change in our local communities then that will lead to better outcomes at the regional, state and national level.

We have a good conversation about some terrifying national debt and farm subsidy numbers. Covid19 continues to be a growing concern with our listeners, so delved back into that crisis. Honey bees provided a bit of happiness at the end of our podcast as we detailed a bit of our five-part series I am writing for CritterFacts.com

In Episode #42 Mask, Covid19, and Bees, we delve into a Gallup Poll about mask-wearing, discuss Covid19 spread, and honey bees. We share a lot of great information in the first two segments and finish with my passion project, raising honey bees. Wimmer’s Wilderness is an informed look at Politics, Community, Government, Environment, and Education from a local perspective. Our regions, states, and countries are simply a collection of local communities working together. If we can make a positive change in our local communities, that will lead to better outcomes at the regional, state, and national levels.

In Episode #41 we have a great conversation with former North Branch, MN Mayor Kirsten Hagen-Kennedy. We discuss her campaign for the 2018 DFL nomination in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District, her years of community organizing, mayoral campaigns, her work to improve public health and her winning a Bush Fellowship. It is, at times, blunt and raw as we discuss the harsh political climate in her area and throughout the Country.

We discuss the politics and necessity of wearing a face mask during the time of Covid19. Food Banks across our Country face escalating demands and dwindling resources. Our Country is moving fast to open up economic activities, and we delve into the positives and negatives. We finish this episode with our Quiz and a chance to win a Wimmer's Wilderness Mason Jar Drinking Glass, recycled cardboard pen, retractable/reusable straw, and a candle made from our very own beeswax.

Welcome to Wimmer’s Wilderness. In this episode, we have a conversation with Ryan Kernosky, the Community Development Director and Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. We discuss Community Development, Economic Development, Public Service, and so much more, including how the Covid19 Pandemic is affecting local communities. I am your host George Wimmer. I have 30 years of volunteer work, community organizing, and 16 years in local government – 12 as mayor. Wimmer’s Wilderness is an informed look at Politics, Community, Government, Environment, and Education from a local perspective.

In this episode we have a Covid19 update, discuss the financial impacts to local governments and finish with lessons learned from the Great Recession. We have our popular quiz in which you may win a Wimmer’s Wilderness Mason Jar drinking glass, Wimmer’s Wilderness recycled cardboard pen and the very popular retractable – reusable straw.

In this episode we discuss 2020 as the lost year, wildlife corridors and telemedicine. We have a couple parody commercials interlaced and our popular quiz.