The Rural Voice series, developed by several Minnesota Initiative Foundations that serve Greater Minnesota along with the Otto Bremer Trust and Compeer Financial, will take place in September and October with four town halls moderated by Minnesota Public Radio’s Kerri Miller.

This year’s conversations will focus on how rural communities are lifting up entrepreneurism and addressing looming challenged such as the shortage of affordable housing, educating the next workforce, and raising awareness about mental health and social isolation.

Additional partners to this year’s Rural Voice series include Minnesota Public Radio, Cherry Road Media, and the Center for Rural Policy and Development.

The events, which will be held in unique venues in New Ulm, Two Harbors, Little Falls, and River Falls, WI, are free to attend. The events will also be live-streamed.

The topic of the event in Little Falls is Mental Health & Social Isolation.