Introduction

During this past fall, I had the opportunity to travel and visit a number of rural communities across the state. It has been a long time since I have had the opportunity to go out and see what I fondly call “my people.” I have spent most of my 40+ year career working to assist, inform, support, and encourage rural residents and have continued the work well into “retirement age.”

Strengthen ND has allowed me to continue this work on a part time basis, and it is truly the most rewarding work I have ever done. I work one-on-one to help start nonprofits, assist with our grantmaking program, and write whenever possible about all things rural.

Rural North Dakota people are pretty amazing people. They care about their community and worry about its survival. They care about the people within their community and work to help anyone who needs help. Rural community people are straight forward, honest, and the most resourceful people I know. Never underestimate what can be accomplished by a rural community. Great things are happening out there…they just have no time or inclination to brag.

Through examples and brief stories, this report will show some of what is being accomplished within rural communities. Because they work as a community and rather than look outside; they make the best of the resources they have – by working together. 

Strengthen ND works to provide a great deal of resources to support these efforts; however, it is up to the individual community to “save” their community. I am greatly impressed with all the diverse, yet positive effort I encountered on my travels. I am so inspired, hopeful, and want to spread the word about the rural culture of creativity and collaboration that is happening across North Dakota. 

– Cher Hersrud

Special Projects Officer

The Importance of Rural Communities

For decades, North Dakota has been deemed a “flyover state,” and minimized due to its sparse population. There was even speculation years ago that it would simply become a Buffalo Commons. Yet, North Dakota is still here and operating, due to our strong ongoing agriculture economy, significantly enhanced by energy…and our rural people.

Created through homesteading as part of the process of building a railroad across the state, North Dakota has many very small towns. There are only 3 cities with a population in excess of 50,000 within the state; however, it is a large state in size and importance. As the world needs food and energy, North Dakota supplies it through its farms and ranches – supplying critical grains, cattle and more. Its energy importance continues to be very active and increasingly diverse.

North Dakota is a significant exporter for the world; number one in the nation for the export of eight different commodities, including honey, grains, and more. More than 50 commodities are produced by farmers and ranchers across North Dakota. Farms and ranches comprise nearly 90% of the state’s total land area. With 86% of them family owned. Yes, we are rural…yet we are significant and there is good reason for our rural nature.

North Dakota has more than 300 communities across the state with fewer than 1,000 people – a majority of them have less than 500 people. These communities exist to serve the farm and ranch operations and families, as well as the energy workers and families. This includes food, supplies and healthcare – which are distant at best, and other basic amenities.

A farmer/rancher needs gas, food, and supplies. He needs access to healthcare, access to an elevator. Energy workers need access to housing as well. The Western towns, like Watford City and Williston have grown and built new schools, stores, healthcare facilities and wellness centers. Other smaller towns, like Arnegard provide a small very rural school serving students living far out in the rugged Badlands. 

Work needs to be done, and is currently ongoing in many rural communities to increase housing, maintain their grocery stores, and encourage small business as a way to increase their population and maintain their community. 

Strengthen ND and AgWeek partnered to interview individuals and families who moved from outside the state to North Dakota. To a person they love the affordability, peacefulness, and safety within rural North Dakota. To a person, they spoke of welcoming communities.

Those seeking to leave large urban areas greatly appreciate the community lifestyle of our state. There are efforts underway to promote North Dakota to out of state residents. We need our rural communities to survive and thrive, to support our significant agriculture and energy families. We need the next generations to be able to live and work in their hometowns.

North Dakota is below the radar of what is commonly termed”rural’ Our towns are much smaller and spread out across a large state. What I see happening is a wave of effort by rural residents to not simply maintain, but bring back vitality to our rural communities by bringing back a store, providing start up funds for small, entrepreneurial businesses, and building partnerships to provide more services. 

There is a generation who want their kids to grow up rural,like they did. who want their town to continue, and they are working creatively and cooperatively to make it happen. I hear from many of them as they seek support to create nonprofit organizations, and develop ideas that can be spread to be used in other rural communities. It is impressive, exciting, and critical. 

The most successful are the ones who gather the whole community together to determine their fate, the ones who truly work together as a community. There are many examples of this across the state – a growing number. A great example is Sheyenne, located in Eddy County.

Sheyenne, population 178 (2023 Census), is an excellent example of a rural community working together to bring back what was lost. There is a long banner on the way through Sheyenne that describes this community well, as they work to rebuild what they once had:

“We are a small town with many helping hands.” 

In the early 2000s they lost their bank. cafe, grocery store and ultimately their school. Rather than accept the loss, the community as a whole has rallied to provide input, hope and planning into the creation of a nonprofit organization; GRIT (Growth, Renewal, Imagination, and Teamwork). In 2022, GRIT applied for and received a Creative Community Solutions grant from Strengthen ND to create a community owned fund to utilize for community development as determined by the community and its plan, developed exclusively through Sheyenne community input.

They began with housing; realizing they needed new people and adequate, affordable housing in the community was very limited. Through the use of their fund, Sheyenne purchased an empty house and remodeled and sold it – generating $18,000 in income for the fund and capturing the entire community as part of the success – it moved from hope to reality to success through community volunteerism and community support. Community members volunteered time and talent. Rather than schedule time to volunteer, people would just drive over and ask what they could do to help. It was truly a community effort that built pride and excitement.

Pattie Larson, GRIT Chair reported at the end of the initial year, “We all worked together on this house, and hope within the community has been rebuilt.”

Additionally, they have utilized the funds as match for other grants that have supported an expansive tree replacement project, torn down three long abandoned houses and cleared the lots, and moved a donated large farmhouse into town on one lot. .

Sheyenne started with housing as it was non-existent; they hope to add new residents through marketing, adding remote workers, and providing support for small business development within the community. This Winter they will again meet as a community for input and updating their planning. Spring will bring activities and more forward movement over the Summer.  Success builds success, if you have “many helping hands”.

Rural Philanthropy

Rural communities, since homesteading years, have operated and survived through a remarkable self-sufficiency. It is at the heart of rural community culture and is strong and beneficial within rural communities, where creatively makes the best of the resources they have.

This is clearly demonstrated through rural philanthropy. Historically, rural nonprofits operate without paid staff, on a completely voluntary basis. Their Board is a working board, enhanced by community volunteers. Their funds are limited and they use all funds for services or programming. Grant funds are extremely limited for small rural communities and often have to be matched with local funds.

The most common manner of rural fundraising is through special events; as simple as a Hunter’s Breakfast, or as elaborate as a four day art show. Special events are community based and community driven. 

They serve the community on several levels; raising funds for charitable purposes, and providing social activity within the community. It allows people to contribute at whatever level they can. Special events rely on heavy volunteerism, a tradition of the rural culture. Special events are also a source of community connection and socialization.

A Hunter’s Breakfast is popular in many communities across the state. Held in the Fall, the breakfast of pancakes and sausages, is generally cooked by the men, with cleanup by the women. Residents can donate products, and/or volunteer to work, or simply buy a ticket and attend. Often, a bake sale is included. This increases funds raised, as well as the ability to donate baked goods to increase support for the cause.

So, in the end, a person could donate sausages, and baked goods for the sale, volunteer to work – either cooking or bake sales, or cleanup, buy a ticket and attend the event to have breakfast and coffee with their neighbors, and area farmers. Tickets are always affordable. Residents do not concern themselves with tax deductions for their donations – it is simply community responsibility.

The Nelson County Arts Council in Pekin, grew and developed over the years through a strong, creative series of special events. The organization utilized funds made from the Art Show to assist in starting up its Stump Lake Fine Arts Camp. Special events created over the years to build their programs, and keep fees affordable for art camp students include:

• Ride in for the Arts – a motorcycle ride-in which lined Main Street with motorcycles, and had riders visiting the Pekin Art Show.
• Wearable Art – A fashion show of wearable clothing ,made and modeled by area people, AND tattoos during the Art Show weekend. It was a sold out, standing room only event.
• Dinner Theatre – Area students performed their one act plays over dinner. Food donated for dinner, and tickets are sold.
• Community Theatre – A retired teacher directed this successful program, until his health declined.
• Sound Fest – A Winter music event featuring local and area bands.
• An opening reception with limited, higher tickets that is both a preview of the show and an opportunity to purchase art work in advance of the public opening.
• Annual Raffle with a limit of 200 tickets sold and cash prizes drawn monthly. Tickets are $20.
• Winter Art Auction – This continues today. The Winter Art Auction is an annual event where artists donate work to be auctioned off in support of the Youth Art Camp. It is both in person and virtual.

“ We don’t aim to be a big community; we just want to maintain a good quality of life for our town.” 

– Brenda Blorlie,

founding ED of Nelson County Arts Council

New People, New Cultures

North Dakota homesteaders were largely Germans, Germans from Russia, Norwegians, and Swedes, as well as many smaller cultural groups. Shared language and culture created areas where each cultural community settled together. Therefore, rural North Dakota, outside of its Indigenous population, was largely white. For decades we remained 90+% white.

The oil boom of the early 2000s brought thousands of people to Western North Dakota, overwhelming the rural areas there. Due to the economy and jobs across the country, families literally pulled up stakes and came to North Dakota for good. This created a diversity unknown before. People from the South did not understand or have any experience with our weather, people from urban areas were accustomed to services not provided in rural North Dakota.

And there were also the traveling oilfield workers that were temporary, and rugged men. It was overwhelming for the rural Western edge of the state. 

Megan Langley and I made a trip along the Western edge of the state, from Bowman in the Southwest to Crosby in the Northwest, in 2015, supported by funds from the Bush Foundation. We gathered nonprofits and emergency service people and asked them to tell us their issues. They were overwhelmed, but partnered to provide as many services as possible. The volunteer ambulance services were running beyond capacity due to the oilfields; however, they were keeping up – at tremendous cost of volunteer time. There were no homeless shelters within this rural area.

Housing was a critical issue, with increased rent forcing many senior citizens out of their homes and communities. It was a great deal of stress, with many needs; however, rural North Dakotans worked through it utilizing creativity and partnerships; including the development of Winter shelters run by church volunteers and new school programs that introduced new families to rural North Dakota.

I spent a great deal of time on a project in Dickinson, during 2015-2016. The influx of oil workers began in the Williston area and moved down to Watford City and finally Dickinson. This allowed Dickinson some time to prepare and plan. Dickinson became more of an oil service city, rather than heavy direct production. Due to the economy in other areas, families from across the country moved into the city and stayed – substantially increasing the population from that of aging to include a large influx of young families. The birth rate rose by more than 100%, and continues high today.

The families included African immigrants, Hispanics, and others from across the country. This, in a community of minimal diversity and an aging population.. Schools and housing were built and a new Walmart was built, which employed many new African immigrants. African immigrants started a taxi business to accommodate those without vehicles as there was no public transportation in Dickinson.

We surveyed all residents of Dickinson and interviewed new residents regarding community issues. Response was very supportive from both new and long-time residents. The growth was great for the community and longtime residents welcomed the younger workforce. New residents adjusted to the change and liked the income and safety of the community. There was never a hint of racism or bad treatment indicated in surveys or spoken of in interviews. That population is largely still there today, more than ten years later, with a much slower influx of new residents moving in now. Workforce needs are high, as in the rest of the state.

Dickinson has made an effort to help integrate and support the fairly large African population. Several African Celebrations were held to provide African art and culture, along with murals. 

Watford City: Cowboys, Arts and Cultures

Right in the heart of energy country is Watford City. Watford City is what I call cowboy country in the heart of ranching and oil, and more recently solar and wind energy as well. 

A very small, rural town before oil, the community has managed to grow and add businesses and amenities, most notably a strong presence of the arts, without losing its frontier/cowboy atmosphere. 

The Long X Arts Foundation sought and received a Creative Community Solutions grant from Strengthen ND to better integrate the new cultures into the community…alongside the primarily Scandinavian homesteading culture. Long X Arts supports Hispanic food markets, Folklorica, and Hip Hop dancing classes and performances, and partners with the school to offer an annual multi-cultural public event featuring all cultures of the area. In early December, they hold a Hispanic Christmas public event that includes music, dancers. vendors, foods and more.

Jessie Veeder, noted writer and musician, created the organization and is its Executive Director. The organization has grown tremendously in a few years to offer arts classes for all youth and adults, Summer Classes, as well as performing and musical opportunities, for both youth and adults.

She has brought in the MHA Nation as a partner and has included pow wow dancing and other cultural presentations in her schedule of activities, as well as working with a Japanese artist and other smaller cultural groups to spread the awareness and education of the broad, exciting diversity of the current region. 

This work is ongoing and is within their long range plan to continue. The approach is well respected and they have been invited to expand their work along the entire western edge.

“We are most proud of building a regional reputation as the place to go for new cultures. 

We are at the table for economic development at the City and County level, and we are at the forefront in the community.”

– Jessie Veeder,

Executive Director

Food Access: Local Foods, Local Access

Due to our large, very rural population, there are many food deserts across the state, where people have to drive many miles to access food supplies, and a growing number of small grocery stores are closing. This creates significant issues for families, Seniors, and more.

However, there is hope and a great deal of effort being placed toward the increasing sales and use of our local foods. There is a growing number of local foods markets in communities, an influx into local foods within the school lunch programs, cafes and stores. and significantly, an increase in local meat processing for local sales. 

North Dakota exports tons of foods and commodities; there is a strong wave to grow, keep, and eat more of our local, healthy foods, and the products made with them.

Grocery stores are hampered by limitations that include; limited workforce due to limited sales, employees cannot be paid a competitive wage, the tendency of local residents to make trips to a distant large box store (Costco, Sams, Walmart) for groceries, and increased cost of foods/delivery.

This is a tremendous issue and one that increasingly affects a large portion of the state. There have been a few solutions tried, as well as some state funding available to support grocery stores. 

Strengthen ND staff research located a new model of operation for a small, local store. Developed in Evansville, MN it is a hybrid model that minimizes staffing needs and provides 24/7 access for residents, utilizing a self-service model, similar to Walmart and others.

The model was developed by a couple in Evansville, who currently run two small town Minnesota stores that operate with the hybrid model.

Munich is currently the only hybrid-mode operating in North Dakota. There are several communities across the state that are interested and working to develop the model. Additionally, there are efforts to create regional food hubs within the state for distribution of foods to stores. 

Strengthen ND has created an Incubator Farm north of Bismarck to encourage and educate new, small farmers. Additionally, we are at the forefront of a large local foods effort across the state.

Senior food service is another issue that is being addressed, as the following story indicates. Organizations like the Munich Store and the Minot Commission on the Aging are finding solutions and spreading their success across the state.

Following are just two examples of successful increased access for residents and Senior Meals.

Munich Store: A Unique Hybrid Model for Rural Grocery Stores

The Community Store in Munich, (population 190) wanted assistance in turning the community store into a nonprofit organization rather than a for profit business, in hopes of obtaining grants to keep their store open.

Searching for information on rural grocery store operations, Strengthen ND staff uncovered a great deal of information about a unique store operating in Evansville, MN (population 600). Created by Alex and Caileen Ostenson as a new concept in rural grocery store operation, for sustainability, affordability and a new way to keep a grocery store viable in a rural community.

Main Street Market was created by the husband and wife team in 2020 and is run as a family business Initial conversations with Alex told the story of their unique approach and their lengthy process to find the right vendors, modify software for their purpose, and for operation as well as their success to date in operating their store. At the time, they were in the process of saving a store from closing in a neighboring community, (population 681). The second store is now operational as a hybrid.

Strengthen ND connected Munich store manager and Board members to Ostenson. Munich learned more from Alex and the store Board applied for and received an AARP grant for startup. Alex Ostenson was contracted to work with the Munich Board and Store Manager to contact the right vendors for the operation of the store and point of sale software, as well as the development of a store access and security system. Alex’s knowledge was instrumental in the transition of the store to a hybrid operation.

The hybrid operation is simple; the Munich store operates with the Manager present 2 days a week and is open without staff to members, 24/7 through the use of a secure door system to provide member access and point of sale software to easily purchase food at any time, day or night – a hybrid operation. This allows non-members normal, staffed access 2 days a week, while offering members the full 24/7 access. There is a yearly membership fee for full access.The Store Manager in Munich says there is great efficiency in the new operation; reducing staff salary, providing increased local access to food, and therefore, more local purchases at the store. Increased income will provide funds for increased food orders and offerings.

The Store Manager wisely communicated the new process to customers and allowed them to try it while she was there full time the weeks before, offering help and answering questions. This allowed those interested to ask questions and to try the system with her assistance. The system is comparable to Walmart and other’s self-checkout systems.

Residents were delighted with the process and the Store Manager was very pleased to have 60 members the first week. Initial members were residents of all ages and have been very pleased by the new 24/7 access and its ease of use. Memberships have continued to grow during the past year, to close to 200.

Jackie, the Munich Store Manager says, “This model is a wonderful solution for a small town store and we have had several communities contact us to learn about it. I would love to see it spread to rural communities across the state. I am happy to share with anyone interested.”

Senior Meals

Many Seniors live in rural communities across the state, and are trying to stay in their home as long as they can. A large number of them can no longer cook due to limited abilities. Additionally, a number of them live outside of a community and are further isolated.

Traditionally, Meals on Wheels was the standard program that delivered meals to Seniors. Aging communities are losing their original volunteers as they themselves are aging and need assistance. Rural communities in their own self-sufficient, creative manner are addressing this by partnerships within the community. The Meals on Wheels concept has always been about social contact as well as access to food. 

A great program example is the Minot Commission on Aging. Serving seven rural counties, the organization provides locally made frozen meals to rural seniors to ensure that they have meals daily, this is very important during the Winter months. They utilize a blast freezer to freeze larger numbers of meals that are made in Minot, and deliver them in quantity to Seniors in isolated rural areas. Meals are delivered and put away by the driver for Seniors, with monthly deliveries including up to 30 frozen meals per person, addressing both nutritional and social needs, especially for seniors in isolated rural areas. This is particularly important during the Winter when storms can halt or delay regular food delivery.

Additionally, they work with several schools to provide Senior meals that are delivered in town, by local high school kids. This replaces previous community volunteers who have retired. One school was planning to have students deliver locally to their grandparents where possible. These are partnerships that communities have developed and are a wonderful way to provide continued delivery of meals as well as critical socialization and contact with rural Seniors.

The organization also provides meals for Veterans and people in the region with disabilities. With limited staff, the Commission provides a great deal of service, with a personal approach.

They have worked with another Senior Meals organization within the area and plan to hold a symposium for all Senior Meals organizations across the state in the coming year

Opportunities Exist: Examples

Carol Peterson, Economic Developer of Milnor, took me on a proud tour of her community this past fall. Milnor, population 620 has a great deal to feel good about: 

• Milnor has a significantly expanded childcare center that can accommodate up to 72 children, including babies and a preschool. Workforce for the center is steady.
• Nearly every building on Main Street has a small business in it. There are more than 50 small businesses in the community
• They have a large grocery store that needs more room for expansion.
• Notably, they have two housing sub-divisions in the community – one is full of new houses and the other is new, with 48 lots for sale, trees planted and a playground built.
• A K-12 school with full coursework and the availability of college classwork during high school.

The above are five areas of most concern for rural communities. The growth dictates more employees continually hired, they can now live closer to work, in a community with housing, childcare, a school, and strong business.

Carol monitors the downtown buildings available and works to match business. She once met with a young electrician in town and encouraged him to start his own business in an empty facility. He started teaching at the college. Two years later, he and two friends contacted Carol, and started their electrical business in Milnor in that building. It has been so successful – currently 15 employees, that they will expand their facility to accommodate more work and staff.

The City of Enderlin has been providing $10,000 grants to small start up businesses. The current one is a meat store located downtown, just recently opened by two entrepreneurs.

Enderlin has a volunteer economic development group that meets monthly and makes recommendations to the City Council for their approval. It is composed of local business people and has been successful to date with their scholarships and awards. They are currently working to get a grocery reopened in the community and are working within a Department of Commerce grant.

There are many communities that are making their own opportunities. In Woodworth, the Betterment organization keeps the local cafe open, and has for a long time. There are ten young couples that are creating a nonprofit organization to increase the capacity of the community to serve the next generation. As Lacey Koenig, spokesperson of the group told me, “ I grew up here and I want my children to be able to grow up in this town. We all want to make that possible for our children.” We are working on their nonprofit status now and they are planning to create a central community center for events and activities as a starting point. This kind of passion is moving across the state in many rural communities.

One of the biggest opportunities within the state is in Ellendale. A massive data center is being constructed there by Applied Digital. Ellendale had the necessary power source outside the community to support it, so they were selected as the North Dakota location. Currently, there are more than 100 workers from across the region, working to build the facilities. 

Applied Digital plans for 300-500 employees to be hired for the extremely high speed Data Center over the coming 3-5 years. This is a tremendous infusion of population into Ellendale. 

Applied Digital has received state funding to bring in housing, with the initial houses and apartment building to be placed by year end. Additionally, Applied Digital has been working steadily with Ellendale City Government to help build the additional community capacity for the increased population. This includes subsidizing grantwriting for project grants, finding sponsors for projects, and providing financial support for community enhancements.

Whether it is Milnor taking advantage of their location, or Ellendale, whose opportunity kind of fell in their lap, there are opportunities from outside and within. Woodworth’s ten couples – farmers and town residents have chosen to create their own opportunity. Enderlin is encouraging and supporting local entrepreneurs. Hazen is working toward a large multi-purpose community facility for education and training, meetings, events, a large 4-H presence, as well as outdoor activities. They are working collaboratively with many partners to create and sustain it.

There is a young woman in Gladstone, who is being supported by the City to write grants for park improvement, youth activities and several other areas. She is excited and so enthusiastic – with great ideas and a willingness to help work on the projects.

Bowman County Economic Development Corporation has rolled everything under their umbrella and firmly believes that they can do whatever larger communities can…and often better. This is proven by their Fusion Conference, which brings all levels of employment together over key topics of workforce, including leadership, team development, and more, with national speakers. It serves a tri-state region and is sold out every year. The Development Corporation themselves is an umbrella for 3 towns, as well as the Regional Planning Council. Their structure is a unique team approach that has been utilized by other communities as a model.

Finley is working to save its grocery store, and Amidon is working to rebuild its community to address the coming expansion of Highway 85. 

Antler is slowly and methodically restoring the former US Customs House in Antler – the center of the Town Square. Antler is one of four towns in ND to be platted with a Town Square. It is also the home of the once largest quilt in the World, coordinated by Leona Tennyson of Antler. It was created for the ND Centennial and is 85’ X 134’. Through special events, raffles and volunteer power, the former US Customs House is being restored – in a community of 24 households.

It is so exciting to learn about all the positive work and successes within the communities across the state. A part of my job is to work one on one with communities or organizations that are actively and collaboratively working to maintain and improve their communities, and looking for assistance. It is inspiring to hear about and support. 

The Future of Our Rural Communities

Ever an optimist, and after visiting some amazing communities and hearing from even more, I am inspired and hopeful. We cannot save every one of our more than 300 towns; however, so many exciting things are happening. Communities are working together and with others to maintain the wonderful rural lifestyle we grew up in. As more cities become increasingly unsafe, expensive and congested, there will be more movement toward rural areas. We do have work in progress to market North Dakota outside the state as an affordable and safe place to live. Our communities are welcoming and working to build the housing and infrastructure to accommodate new people. Our state population has grown – and I believe will grow more. Importantly, we need to have opportunities for our children to stay in the state, communities that will support them and house them, farms that can continue to support more generations, a state that supports and endorses equity for all.

Agriculture has its ebbs and flows and there are droughts and floods, but it has always been our mainstay economy. Strengthen ND has created an Incubator Farm where people can learn small farming through hands on instruction and practice, we have a website full of resources to help rural communities and nonprofits, we offer an amazing Nonprofit Certificate Program, specific to small volunteer organizations as well as those who have paid staff.

We provide resources for farmers markets and local foods initiatives that will expand further in the coming years, and we are there for rural communities who seek help, with resources and experience.

There are opportunities across North Dakota; opportunities that are either provided for us, or created by us. Strengthen ND is continually seeking to encourage and support the tremendous rural creativity and passion. 

It’s time; time for communities to rebuild, to encourage and support small business entrepreneurs, to upgrade housing, and to ensure our seniors have food and adequate shelter.

Funding is available for many projects and initiatives, Do not be afraid of grants and opportunities – it can be done.

If you have questions, please contact me: cher@strengthennd.com.