New on Main Street

ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATE

January 25, 2013
Main Street Project staff transitions
Danielle Mkali heading to Nexus Community Partners

PRISON PHONE JUSTICE Clyburn

November 16 2012

FCC takes the first step to end pricey prison calls
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn announces action on Wright petition at D.C. rally, led by Media Action Grassroots Network, Prison Legal News and Working Narratives.

EVENT

November 16, 2012
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin to speak at 2012 Healthy Farms, Healthy People State Meeting
Nov. 16 gathering in Marshalltown, IA is hosted by the Iowa Public Health Association and brings together innovators in public health, food, farms and health care.

EVENT

November 15, 2012
You can fuel the change: Give to Main Street Project on Give to the Max Day, Nov. 15

NEWSLETTER

November 2, 2012
Who's in? Who's out? Main Street Project update
Voting rights, farming start-ups, racial equity and the media

SUSTAINABLE FOOD & AGRICULTURE

October 23, 2012
Agripreneur program helps rural Latino become small-scale farmers:
Jacob Wascalus of the Community Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, highlights the program in the October issue of Community Dividend.

MEDIA JUSTICE

October 16, 2012
Congressman Keith Ellison adds his support to the Campaign for Prison Phone
Justice
September 30 meeting with Main Street Project, the Community Justice Project and TakeAction results in letter to FCC urging regulation of intrastate prison phone rates.

Meeting with Congressman Ellison

CIVIC PARTICIPATION

October 15, 2012
Communities of Color in Minnesota Come Together as Voices for Voting Rights;
Working to defeat the Voter ID amendment
Main Street Project is one of the partners in an initiative of multiracial, multicultural organizations focused on building community power, voice, and access at the polling booth and beyond.

Got to the Voices for Voting Rights website to learn about the Media Week of Action (Oct. 15 – 19), watch videos from the Latino, Somali, Hmong, African American and American Indian communities, and find other organizing resources.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Sept. 18, 2012
Four-language community voter guides available to Minnesota organizations working to educate/get out the vote this November.
Free guides include information about eligibility, registration, voter rights and constitutional amendments -- in Somali, Spanish, Hmong, and English.

NEWSLETTER

Sept. 6, 2012
Summer Sizzles: News from Main Street Project
Youth murals, new agripreneurs, community radio, voter guides and more . . .

EVENT

August 26, 2012
August 26 'Dinner on the Farm' to benefit the Grow a Farmer fund
Northfield's Laughing Loon Farm, Craftsman Restaurant's chef Ben Jacoby and Steel Toe Brewing are teaming up for the dinner; a portion of ticket sales support the micro-loan program

EVENT

July 26 - 29, 2012
Grassroots Radio Conference 2012 brings together media artists, community organizers, radio operators and engineers, and ordinary people from across the country to learn and build on the power of local, community-driven radio
Members of the Twin Cities Community Radio Collaboration are attending the Urbana-Champaign, IL gathering, featuring journatlist and media justice advocate Joe Torres, and poet-activist Hakim Bellamy

SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

July 20, 2012
Northfield's Just Food Co-op Donates $5,000 to Grow a Farmer fund
Grow A A Farmer Just food donation
(From left to right: Joni Karl, Just Food Board Chair; Alex Beeby, Just Food Interim General Manager; Bob Kell and Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Main Street Project)

"Our mission at Just Food is to nourish a just, healthy and sustainable community, and Grow a Farmer is a great example of how we can accomplis this together," said Joni Karl, Just Food Board Chair.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

July 13, 2012
Grow a farmer: Fundraising campaign supports new farmers
Amanda Schultz writes for Radish Magazine (Rochester, MN)

Read story

SUSTAINABLE FOOD & AGRICULTURE

July 10, 2012
Grow a Farmer campaign gains Twin Cities supporters
Birchwood Cafe, Seward Co-op and Eggplant Urban Farm Supply selling 'seed packets' through end of July to support micro-loan fund for new immigrant farmers in southern Minnesota

BLOG - MEDIA JUSTICE

July 10, 2012
Aaron Rupar and Apologies for Racisim
Blog by Ryan Williams-Virden in response to Aaron Rupar's story in City Pages about the recent shooting of five-year-old Nizzel Banks.

VISUAL ESSAY - MEDIA JUSTICE

July 10, 2012
Blues for Blackbirds
Poet and activist Chaun Webster on the death of Nizzel Banks and the media coverage that followed.

MEDIA JUSTICE

July 3, 2012
Phillips Neighborhood Mural Project provides opportunities for youth to use their voices and build community through art and other media
Facilitated by Hope Community, Waite House and Main Street Project, this is the fifth year of the program sponsored by the City of Minneapolis

EVENT

June 21-22, 2012
'2012 Community Empowerment through Black Men Healing Conference' at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul
Danielle Mkali to moderate media justice panel: "Framing a New Message"

SUSTAINABLE FOOD & AGRICULTURE

June 13, 2012
Sebastián Burset joins staff of Main Street Project's Sustainable Food & Agriculture program
Burset is already at work connecting with aspiring farmers for the next agripreneur training class


MEDIA JUSTICE

June 13, 2012
Carolyn Foundation awards new grant to Main Street Project
Grant will support community radio training and organizing in Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis

SUSTAINABLE FOOD & AG

June 13, 2012
The Quest for Food Justice in the Face of Finite Resources
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin joined a national panel at the April 12, 2012 Future Tense event in Washington D.C. sponsored by the New America Foundation and Slate Magazine

NEWSLETTER

June 5, 2012
Working together for equity: News from Main Street Project
Highlights from the last two months -- and a look ahead.

EVENT

June 2, 2012
Racism in the Media: A Community Conversation
Community Action Against Racism (CAAR) and Main Street Project are co-hosting this free event for all community members

MEDIA JUSTICE TRAINING

May 30, 2012
Building community by building digital skills
As part of our work with the Blandin Foundation's "Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities" project, we created helpful new resources:

MEDIA JUSTICE

May 8, 2012
VIDEO LAUNCH: Twin Cities Voices on the Airwaves
250 young people, artists and leaders join with Twin Cities Community Radio collaboration to celebrate the first-ever World Radio Day

EVENT

May 16, 2012
Main Street Project receiving 2012 Allies for Justice Award
Headwaters Foundation for Justice will also honor OutFront Minnesota, and Ruth and David Waterbury at May 16 Allies for Justice Celebration


IN THE NEWS
April 14, 2012
Main Street Project's Rural Enterprise Center is awarded two-year grant by Northwest Area Foundation
Funding will support the training-to-launch continuum program for aspiring Latino farmers and more


EVENTbook cover
April 2, 2012
Joseph Torres, best-selling author and media justice advocate to speak in Minneapolis April 2
Torres is co-author of New York Times best-seller News for All the People: The Epic Story of Race and the American Media, and serves as Senior External Affairs Director of Free Press in Washington, D.C.


NEWSLETTER
March 7, 2012
Main Street Project: It's all about connections
How we're collaborating with local and national partners for social and economic equity.


IN THE NEWS
March 6, 2012
Strengthening Rural Latino Start-Ups
MPR's Elizabeth Baier writes about the Rural Enterprise Center training and incubator program for Latino agripreneurs


MEDIA RELEASE
February 25, 2012
'Grow a Farmer' fund launched to support new immigrant free-range poultry farmers
Rural Enterprise Center partnering with Just Food Co-op, Renewing the Countryside and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation on creative fundraising campaign


MEDIA RELEASE
February 7, 2012
Twin Cities Community Radio Hosts Elementary School Celebrations for World Radio Day
Feb. 13 events in Minneapolis and Saint Paul highlight community radio opportunities.


MEDIA JUSTICE TRAINING
January 21, 2012 RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 24
People's Tech training on Saturday, Jan. 21: Amplify your voice through social media
Join special guest presenter, DeAnne Cuellar, Executive Director of San Antonio's Media Justice League and learn practical tips and strategies for using social media to amplify your organization's message and impact. Stay tuned for more.


NEWSLETTER
December 20, 2011
The power of community
A message from Rural Enterprise Center program director Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin


REPORT
December 20, 2011
National Rural Assembly issues report from this year's St. Paul gathering
Includes participant recommendations for moving Rural America forward: engaging rural youth, building broadband connectivity, growing rural economies to build community wealth, and more


PRESS RELEASE
December 20, 2011
Main Street Project statement on the end of AT&T's bid for T-Mobile
Announcement is a victory for low-income families, people of color and rural communities


NEWSLETTER
December 14, 2012
Main Street Project announces staff transitions
A message from media justice program director, Steven Renderos


PRESS RELEASE
November 23, 2011
FCC takes step toward rejecting the AT&T/T-Mobile merger
Main Street Project issues a statement supporting the FCC's call for a hearing to address the public interest


EVENT
November 14, 2011
Support Main Street Project on Give to the Max Day, Wednesday, Nov. 16
Help turn possibilities into realities.


RURAL ENTERPRISE CENTER
November 11, 2011
Support the One Big Thing
Help meet the challenge of a fully funded agripreneur incubator program. Watch how you can help agripreneur José succeed.


NEWSLETTER
November 1, 2011
Big and small steps at Main Street Project
Updates on our Rural Enterprise Center and media justice program work


MEDIA JUSTICE TRAINING
September 24, 2011
PEOPLE'S TECH RETURNS: Join us for a free workshop on Sat., Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. to learn how we can bring low-power FM community radio stations to Minneapolis and St. Paul.
PT stickerPassage of the Local Community Radio Act gives communities the opportunity to launch nearly 1,000 radio stations across the country -- including the Twin Cities.


EVENTBlack Voices logo
September 23, 2011
Black Voices for Internet Freedom to Launch Friday, Sept. 23
Main Street Project is part of the new coalition to protect online communication rights for people of color.


EVENT
September 20, 2011
Rural Enterprise Center's Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin to speak at Headwaters Foundation for Justice Movement Buiding series.
Join the conversation on "Food Justice -- Not Just for Foodies" on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m. at Minneapolis' Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar.


PRESS RELEASE
September 1, 2011
Main Street Project supports DOJ action to block AT&T merger
Steven Renderos, media justice program director for Main Street Project, on the DOJ decision: “This move by the federal government proves that the mathematics of the merger don’t add up to anything good for Minnesotans. We’ve had major concerns about the merger’s impact on jobs and the cost of service for people of color, rural communities and low- income individuals. We look forward to continued action by the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission."


MEDIA JUSTICE
August 9, 2011
August is the month of Action Against the AT&T / T-Mobile Merger
Main Street Project is part of the Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net) collaborative effort to mobilize our communities


MEDIA JUSTICE TRAINING
July 16, 2011
People's TECH workshop on Saturday July 16 includes hands-on storyboarding and filming practice
You'll create your own video during this last workshop of the summer; all equipment and free lunch provided


EVENT
June 28-30, 2011
National Rural Assembly 2011 Gathering comes to St. Paul, Minnesota
Steven Renderos of Main Street Project is part of Wednesday morning's panel discussion: Rural Broadband Innovative Strategies and Policy Issues; FCC Commissioner Clyburn scheduled to address Assembly


EVENT
June 23 - 26, 2011
18-person Minnesota delegation of grassroots organizers and artists travel to Detroit for 2011 Allied Media Conference
Main Street Project and MAG-Net partners to lead 'Media Policy for Social Justice track


MEDIA JUSTICE
June 21, 2011
Report released on Community Internet Space for people who are homeless
Main Street Project is one of the community partners who joined Open Access Connections in sponsoring the research report and the July 20 release event


MEDIA JUSTICE
June 21, 2011
Open Access Connections lends laptops, coordinates computer and Internet training for people who are homeless
Check out Main Street Project produced video about the program, and a podcast featuring homeless individuals describing barriers to Internet access




EVENT
June 14, 2011
Sounds of Justice: Tuesday, June 14 from 8 - 10 p.m. @ Honey (205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis)
Join MAG-Net members and friends for performances by local artists -- and a silent auction to help raise funds to send a 20-person Minnesota delegation to the Allied Media Conference in Detroit.


MEDIA JUSTICE TRAINING
June 11, 2011
NEW DATE: People's TECH workshop on Saturday June 11 will focus on Video Production
Guest trainers from Line Break Media will help participants learn storyboarding and filming techniques to make their stories come to life. Workshop is free; all equipment provided.


NEWSLETTER
June 7, 2011
Media Justice is heating up at Main Street Project!
From Netroots Nation to the Allied Media Conference to digital justice for the underserved -- check out the latest happenings and opportunities to plug in


EVENT
May 26, 2011
Parul Desai, Consumers Union Communications Policy Counsel and Main Street Project board member, will testify at May 26 House Merger Hearing
Hearing at 9:30 a.m. (ET)  to address "How Will the Proposed Merger Between AT&T and T-Mobile Affect Wireless Telecommunications Competition?"


MEDIA JUSTICE TRAINING
May 21, 2011
People's TECH workshop on Saturday May 21 will focus on Video Production
Participants will learn storyboarding, basic filming techniques and film editing -- all equipment provided


MEDIA JUSTICE TRAINING
April 16, 2011
People's TECH workshop on April 16 will focus on Digital Storytelling
Participants will use photos and narration to create and publish their own digital stories


NEWSLETTER
March 24, 2011
Building knowledge, power and resources on Main Street
Main Street Project newsletter includes Media Justice and Rural Enterprise Center updates


MEDIA JUSTICE TRAINING
March 21, 2011
Watch the slide show from the March 19 People's Tech workshop: Media Literacy for Media Justice


EVENT
April 8 - 10, 2011
The National Conference on Media Reform (NCMR) returns to Boston to explore strategies for building the movement for better, more just media
Steven Renderos, Media Justice Program Director, is among the presenters


MEDIA JUSTICE TRAINING
March 19, 2011
People's Tech training launches March 19: "Media literacy for media justice"
Free monthly workshops for leaders and community organizers to focus on learning, creating, and reclaiming our technology.


MEDIA JUSTICE
March 4, 2011
Media Justice Leadership Institute training participants answer the question "What kind of Internet does your Community Need?"


MEDIA JUSTICE
March 2, 2011
Main Street Project joins other members of the Rural Broadband Policy Group in submitting comments to the FCC for their update to the 2009 Rural Broadband Report
Recommendations stress (1) local solutions, l(2) local job creation creation and social capital formation benchmarks, (3) accurate data collection, and (4) strong Net Neutrality rules.


ACTION ALERT
February 17, 2011
action alert stickerThe Internet strikes back today
Congress is getting ready to vote on the future of Net Neutrality. That’s why we’re joining our partners at Public Knowledge in a national “Internet Strikes Back” day of action.


EMPLOYMENT
January 12, 2011
Rural Enterprise Center Program is accepting applications for two new positions in Northfield MN: an Agripreneur Training Manager and an Outreach Coordinator  

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MEDIA JUSTICE
January 12, 2011
Steven Renderos, Main Street Project Media Justice Program Director is selected for Rockwood Leadership Institute's Fellowship in Media, Communications and Policy
Consumers Union policy counsel and Main Street Project board member Parul Desai is also tapped to participate in the national leadership training


IN THE NEWS
January 7, 2011
Immigrant farmers look to move from markets to grocers
MPR's Nancy Lebbens cites Rural Enterprise Center and Hillside Farmers Co-op as part of local foods innovation


ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATE
January 6, 2011
Parul P. Desai, communications policy counsel for Consumers Union, is named to Main Street Project Board of Directors


NEWSLETTER
December 21, 2010
How we're making a difference together
The 2010 numbers are in: Thanks to our funding partners and individual donors


OPEN INTERNET
December 13, 2010
An open letter to the FCC from Main Street Project:
"Protect rural communities, not corporations - Implement strong open Internet protections"


RURAL ENTERPRISE CENTER
December 10, 2010
Rural Enterprise Center and Director, Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin are profiled in new book: All That We Share -- A Field Guide to The Commons
Author/Editor Jay Walljasper and contributors offer a compelling introduction to the commons movement and why it matters to our society 


NET NEUTRALITY
December 7, 2010
Main Street Project issues statement on FCC Chairman Genachowski's proposal on Net Neutrality rules
An open Internet needs to extend to wireless devices; should not allow "pay to play" content tiers


EVENT
December 7, 2010
From Cancun to Minnesota: Reclaiming a People's Agenda for Climate Justice! Tuesday, Dec. 7, 5 - 7 p.m. at Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, in the former Jade Restaurant
Free event co-sponsored by Main Street Project; Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin is one of the local speakers


IN THE NEWS
December 3, 2010 
Being thankful for more than food
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center Director writes about a new ecology of food for the Northfield News (MN)


IN THE NEWS 
December 1, 2010
USDA Rural Development November newsletter profiles grant to Hillside Farmers Co-op
Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant moves Latino-led co-op closer to their goals


EVENT
November 16, 2010
Donate to Main Street Project on Give to the Max Day, Tuesday, Nov. 16
$1,000 will be given to a random donor's charity every hour


IN THE NEWS
November 4, 2010
Northwest Area Foundation announces grants focused on overcoming poverty
Main Street Project awarded $140,800 to bolster the Rural Enterprise Center Agripreneur Training Program in southeastern Minn.


IN THE NEWS
November 4, 2010
Co-op aims to move people from poverty to farming
USDA Rural Development grant funds technical assistance to Hillside Farmers Co-op -- Heather Thorstensen, AgriNews


EVENT
October 27, 2010
Main Street Project's Reginaldo (Regi) Haslett-Marroquin to speak at The Wedge Co-op Annual Membership Meeting
At the Wedge Oct./Nov. newsletter includes article by Regi, "The Ecology of Food: Investing in new Immigrant Families" (originally published in Northfield News)


EVENT
October 16-19, 2010
Food, Culture & Justice: The Gumbo that Unites Us All -- New Orleans conference sponsored by Community Food Security Coalition and others
Rural Enterprise Center Director Reginaldo Haslett-Marroqin  to co-present at workshop: Strengthening Food Business Clusters to Create Community Wealth


EVENT
October 15 - 16, 2010
12th Annual Iowa Latino Conference set for Iowa City
Main Street Project's Steven Renderos and Andrew Isabel Quijada, executive director of New Mexico's Media Literacy Project will lead a 'Media Literacy for Media Justice' workshop as part of the Latino Youth Leadership Development Summit


IN THE NEWS
October 1, 2010  
Expanding beyond Northfield
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center Director writes about the new ecology of food for the Northfield News (MN)


NEWSLETTER
September 28, 2010
Staff additions, media justice and Rural Enterprise Center updates


IN THE NEWS
September 3, 2010  
Making Sense of the Numbers
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center Director writes about the new ecology of food for the Northfield News (MN)


NET NEUTRALITY
August 24, 2010
Latinos for Internet Freedom call on the Obama administration, Congress and the FCC to protect Net Neutrality and keep the Internet open for everyone.
Main Street Project is part of coalition urging action.


IN THE NEWS
August 24, 2010
Austin at a Crossroads: 25 years after the Hormel Strike
MPR's Elizabeth Baier reports on the changed demographics of the small southeastern Minnesota town .


OP-ED
August 19, 2010
Mignon Clyburn, Michael Copps: An open Internet for all
FCC Commissioners say online freedom is at risk; invite all to tonight's 6 p.m. town hall meeting at South High School (Star Tribune -- Minneapolis)


EVENT
August 19, 2010
Future of the Internet Public Hearing
Free Press, Main Street Project and the Center for Media Justice are co-hosting a public hearing on the Future of the Internet -- an opportunity to share our ideas, experiences and concerns with FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Mignon Clyburn.


IN THE NEWS
August 17, 2010
"Minnesota This Week" public affairs program hosted by Curtis Beckman interview Steven Renderos on Net Neutrality and broadband issues


IN THE NEWS
August 7, 2010
Investing in new immigrant families
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center Director writes about the new ecology of food for the Northfield News (MN)


IN THE NEWS
July 8, 2010
Minnesota effort seeks to ease poverty through 'agripreneurship'
Rural Enterprise Center program aims to capitalize on resources already available -- Litchfield (MN) Independent Review (Sharon Rolenc, Minnesota News Connection) 


IN THE NEWS
July 3, 2010
The Story of the Prink's Farm
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center Director writes about the new ecology of food for the Northfield News (MN)


MEDIA JUSTICE
June 11, 2010
New MAG-Net remix demands media accountability
Steven Renderos of Main Street Project and Kris Rios of People's Production House bring together the need for the FCC to regulate big media in the people's interest, with Warren G.'s classic Regulate

 


IN THE NEWS
June 4, 2010
The Ecology of Food: Mercedez's Story
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center Director, writes about an agripreneur and microbiology for the Northfield News (MN)

VIDEO
May 25, 2010
St. Olaf students Scott Barvir, Emilie Bouvier, Maren Gelle and Kayla Johnson produce video about the local food movement in Northfield, MN
"Too Much Food?" features Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin of Rural Enterprise Center

 

 

EVENT
June 17-20, 2010 
Allied Media Conference returns to Detroit
Steven Renderos from Main Street Project to lead a Digital Justice Coalition exchange with Kristofer Rios from People's Production House and Bryan Mercer from Media Mobilizing Project


NEWSLETTER
May 19, 2010
Rural Enterprise Center Update: Grant from Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) will help move Latino farmer training program forward
Plus, the new ecology of food, agripreneur profile, and July 10 mid-summer farm tour


IN THE NEWS
May 14, 2010
Rural Enterprise Center's Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin writes first of a series of columns on the ecology of food for Northfield News (MN)


BLOG
May 10, 2010 
The FCC hears a million voices
Grassroots organizations turn the tide towards an Open Internet 


BLOG
May 4, 2010
Yes We Won't?
Steven Renderos and Amalia Deloney on why FCC Commissioner Genachowski needs to support an Open Internet


EVENT
April 10, 2010
NE Minneapolis Farmers Market First Annual Community Meeting
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center Director invited to speak


EVENT
April 7, 2010
Cannon River Watershed Partnership 2010 Conference, Faribault, MN
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Center Director, will speak during lunch


EVENT
March 28, 2010
"Be Counted" Census Day of Action in Minneapolis, St. Paul
Join others in your community to knock on doors raising awareness about the Census.


BLOG
March 18, 2010
The Good, the Bad, and the Broadband Plan: Can we afford affordability?
Steven Renderos writes for the Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net)


MEDIA JUSTICE
March 9, 2010
(Im)migrants and the Internet: What access means
Main Street Project publishes overview of challenges and priorities


MEDIA JUSTICE
March 8, 2010
Social Science Research Council (SSRC) releases FCC-commissioned report: Broadband Adoption in Low-Income Communities
Main Street Project and other members of the Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net) played a key role in study, setting up dozens of community conversations with organizations and individuals who struggle with Internet access.


IN THE NEWS
March 4, 2010
Justice Dept.: Census confidentiality laws trump the Patriot Act
Clarification by government lawyers will help address fears about privacy -- Ed O'Keefe, Washington Post;


MEDIA JUSTICE
Feb. 22, 2010
More of "What's Your Internet Story?"
Rural and Native peoples add their voices

 


OP-ED
Feb. 19, 2010
Be counted: Census important to all Minnesotans
Main Street Project's Steven Renderos' opinion published


NEWSLETTER
Feb. 18, 2010 
Main Street Project moves into 2010 with great expectations and strong partnerships


MEDIA JUSTICE
Feb. 15, 2010
Community organizations agree on need for universal, affordable Internet access at Feb. 15 forum -- part of MAG-Net National Day of Action
Net neutrality, ability to own content also cited as important; Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie highlighted civic participation digital potential and barriers

 

EVENT
Feb. 15, 2010
Minneapolis Community Forum on Importance of the Internet, hosted by Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie to speak on civic participation and the Internet

MEDIA JUSTICE
Feb. 10, 2010
More than 30 organizations have already taken the digital inclusion pledge
Add your voice to the call for universal access, equal access, self-representation and non-discrimination

EVENT
Feb. 26-27, 2010
The 10th Annual Globalization and Social Responsibility Conference, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN 
Regi Haslett-Marroquin part of panel discussion: "Immigrant Activism and Empowerment"

EVENT
Feb. 16, 2010
The Home Grown Economy 2010, Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall
Rural Enterprise Center's Regi Haslett-Marroqiun is part of 'Voices from the Field' panel 

ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATE 
Jan. 29, 2010
Edyael Casaperalta of the Center for Rural Strategies is named to Main Street Project Board of Directors

REPORT
Jan. 29, 2010
Midwest Rural Assembly publishes report of 2009 gathering
Broadband access, economic development, health care access and civic engagement all identified as priorities

IN THE NEWS
Jan. 23, 2010
Minneapolis Star Tribune profiles Regi Haslett-Marroquin and the Rural Enterprise Center's agripreneur training project
Sustainable farming, energy conservation, self-sufficiency for low-income immigrants, humane animal treatment, healthier food are all factors -- Kristin Tillotson

2010 CENSUS
Jan. 22, 2010

Multi-language Community Census Guide is available to support census outreach

Guide addresses concerns of immigrants, low-income, and communities of color (English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong)

 

EVENT
Jan. 23, 2010
2010 Census Leadership Training and Conference will focus on practical plans for encouraging participation in under-represented communities
Sponsored by Main Street Project and Minnesota Center for Neighborhood Organizing

MEDIA JUSTICE
Dec. 13, 2009
Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition recommends standards for broadband 'anchor institutions'
Community centers, schools and libraries are critical to providing Internet access for all

IN THE NEWS
Dec. 8, 2009
Edible Twin Cities profiles Hillside Farmers Cooperative
The co-op puts Latino immigrants on the path to earning livelihoods, according to article

MEDIA JUSTICE
Dec. 8, 2009
Minnesota Digital Justice Coalition launches 'What's Your Internet Story?' project
Main Street Project is part of coalition gathering stories from historically disenfranchised communities about Internet issues

MEDIA JUSTICE
Dec. 2, 2009
Rural Broadband Policy Group submits recommendations to FCC
Comments address broadband access, literacy, and relevancy to rural communities

MEDIA JUSTICE
Nov. 30, 2009
Main Street Project joins group submitting comments on the federal Broadband Initiative Program
Greater collaboration and transparency are among recommendations

IN THE NEWS
Nov. 19, 2009
American Pastured Poultry Association (APPA) interview Rural Enterprise Center's Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin
Article describes an efficient new model for raising chickens and building communities

IN THE NEWS
Oct. 26, 2009
Local, regional and national organizations prepare for 2010 Census at Oct. 24 Train the Trainer Event "Come to My Census"
Main Street Project is part of coalition working to ensure a fair and accurate count across all communities

EVENT
Oct. 24, 2009
Fargo-Moorhead community organizations invited to "Come to My Census!" training conference on the 2010 Census
Main Street Project and partners to share key messages and strategies for reaching hard-to-count communities

MEDIA JUSTICE
Oct. 22, 2009
Main Street Project joins coalition urging FCC to ensure affordable and accessible services and devices in mobile wireless markets
Landmark document notes that mobile devices have surpassed the Internet as the most important way to communicate in rural and urban low-income, immigrant, and minority communities

EVENT
Oct. 17, 2009
Main Street Project hosts Minnesota MAG-Net (Media Action Grassroots Network) gathering
Watch Twin Cities Community Voice Mail, Organizing Apprenticeship Project, PEPP (People Escaping Poverty Project) and MN Center for Neighborhood Organizing talk about Media Justice and the right tools to achieve it

EVENT
Oct. 10-13, 2009
Community Food Security Coalition to hold 15th annual conference in Des Moines, IA: From Commodity to Community - Food Politics and Projects in the Heartland
Rural Enterprise Center Director, Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, will participate in Tuesday's plenary panel session

IN THE NEWS
Sept. 29, 2009
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin named 'Uncommon Commoner" by On The Commons
His work with small farmer co-op is cited as a shining example of “commons-based development" for community good

EVENT
Sept. 30, 2009
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin to speak at Minneapolis Caux Round Table Conference: Together at the Table: Ethics in Food and Health Systems
Rural Enterprise Center Director will be part of a panel addressing connections between food and health issues

IN THE NEWS
Sept. 29, 2009
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin named 'Uncommon Commoner" by On The Commons
His work with small farmer co-op is cited as a shining example of “commons-based development" for community good

MEDIA JUSTICE UPDATE
Sept. 22, 2009
Media and Democracy Coalition releases Public Interest Internet Agenda
Report urges federal policymakers to work towards solutions that benefit diverse communities, including rural places; Main Street Project one of core groups involved in process

2010 CENSUS UPDATE
Sept. 21, 2009
El Fondo de Nuestra Comunidad (a fund of SpectrumTrust of the St. Paul Foundation) and Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF) announce funding support for Main Street Project's 2010 Census community work
Projects include a multi-language community census guide, training, and outreach events with communities of color

EVENT
August 26-29, 2009
2009 National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (NAMAC) Conference to cross-pollinate ideas on media art, culture and policy
Amalia Deloney and Main Street Project's Steven Renderos are among presenters

MEDIA RELEASE
August 20, 2009
Innovative Free-Range Poultry Operation Launches in Cannon Falls
Media is invited to tour Prink's Farm on Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m.

IN THE NEWS
August 19, 2009
USDA Broadband Report Shows Urban/Rural Digital Divide Remain Wide
Study says 55% of U.S. adults had access in '07 but just 4% in rural households (John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable)

IN THE NEWS
Aug. 17, 2009
Media and Democracy Coalition profiles Steven Renderos in their latest newsletter
Main Street Project is a coalition member

NEWSLETTER
August 11, 2009
Updates on funding, staffing, Rural Enterprise Center and media justice efforts

EVENT
August 10-11, 2009
Midwest Rural Assembly to address rural policy priorities
Main Street Project will lead panel discussion on rural broad band opportunities

PRESS RELEASE
July 27, 2009
Main Street Project announces staff changes
Welcome to Steven Renderos, Main Street Project Media Justice Organizer; Amalia Deloney joins Center for Media Justice as MAG-Net Coordinator

IN THE NEWS
July 27, 2009
Regi Haslett-Marroquin, Rural Enterprise Director, interviewed on American Public Radio's "The Story"
In "The Fight to Farm" he describes growing up farming in Guatemala and challenges faced as a Latino farmer

EVENT
July 16-19, 2009
Amalia Deloney and Steven Renderos to present at the 11th Annual Allied Media Conference
Detroit gathering will offer "a laboratory of media-based solutions" to the world's problems

EVENT
July 15-17, 2009
Connect with Main Street Project and the League of Rural Voters at the National Civic Summit in Minneapolis

MEDIA JUSTICE
July 7, 2009
New Justice 2.0 initiative site launches
Digital Promotores can link to PlaceStories, blogs, photos and more from Justice 2.0 trainings

MEDIA JUSTICE
July 7, 2009
Headwaters Foundation for Justice awards Social Change Fund grant to Main Street Project
Funds will support our new Justice 2.0 initiative

NEW PROJECT
June 30, 2009
Main Street Project gears up to support 2010 Census participation
Will reach out to organizations and rural residents, regardless of status


DTV FOLLOW-UP
June 24, 2009
More than 500 people attended the June 12 "Goodbye to Analog" event at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis
Watch the video created by Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF)

 

IN THE NEWS
June 13, 2009
Changeover to Digital TV Off to a Smooth Start -- New York Times
But challenges for low-income and non-English speakers are acknowledged at Minneapolis event

  • Read article
  • Photos from June 12 Goodbye to Analog TV event


EVENT
June 12, 2009
Final DTV transition event at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis
Take home a no-cost converter box with a government coupon; Get help in English, Hmong, Lao, Spanish and Somali

BROADBAND POLICY UPDATE
June 8, 2009
Rural Broadband Policy Group submits recommendations to FCC for the National Broadband Plan for Our Future
Main Street Project and other group members reinforce the need to ensure that rural needs are met

ACTION ALERT
June 8, 2009
It's almost here: All TV stations go digital on June 12
Find out how you can help make the DTV Transition work for everyone

IN THE NEWS
June 1, 2009
Digital TV switch: At-risk groups seem better prepared -- Dan Emerson, Special to Finance and Commerce
Main Street Project helped nearly 8,900 people in the Twin Cities get coupons and converter boxes

IN THE NEWS
May 6, 2009
Digital Justice for All: End of analog TV exposes digital divide
Amalia Deloney's article published in Extra!, the award-winning online magazine from FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting)

NEWSLETTER
May 4, 2009
Rural Media Justice work is focused on communications rights
Socially responsible DTV transition; Rural broadband policy recommendations; Justice 2.0 trainings


BROADBAND POLICY UPDATE
April 23, 2009
Main Street Project publishes "Broadband Policy: Making it work for everyone"
Straight-forward overview of key principles can help guide discussions on how to address broadband and communications challenges and opportunities.

EVENT RESCHEDULED
May 9, 2009
Common Threads Project: Community Kick-off Meeting
All Fargo-Moorhead area residents are invited to the first meeting of a program to help people participate more fully in community life.

EVENT
April 18, 2009
DTV Day of Action helped Minneapolis residents get ready for DTV
More than 120 people came to multi-language event at Midtown Global market to get no-cost converter boxes; part of nationwide campaign for a socially responsible transition

 

BROADBAND POLICY UPDATE
April 13, 2009
Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group submits comments to NTIA
Main Street Project urges investment to meet needs of marginalized rural communities

PRESS RELEASE
March 27, 2009
Rural Broadband Policy Group files FCC comments
Main Street project joins call for recommendations based on core principles

WHITE PAPER
March 20, 2009
Rural Internet and Broadband Policy Group releases principles and policy recommendations
Main Street Project's Amalia Deloney is part of group working to spark national collaboration among rural broadband advocates

EVENT (Rescheduled for May 9, 2009)
March 21, 2009
Common Threads Project: Community Kick-off Meeting
All Fargo-Moorhead area residents are invited to the first meeting of a program to help people participate more fully in community life.

DTV UPDATE
March 19, 2009
Donate your unused converter box coupon to DonateDTV.com
Each coupon purchases one DTV converter box for someone who needs transition assistance

NEWSLETTER
March 18, 2009
Rural Enterprise Center: An update on the Agripreneur Training Model
Free-range poultry operation expands; community gardens grow; business training focuses on restaurant management

DTV UPDATE
March 17, 2009
DTV Transition: Why rural isn't ready yet
Fact sheet describes rural challenges and recommended solutions


IN THE NEWS 
Feb. 20, 2009
Digital TV for All? Not so Fast -- IPS -- Elizabeth Ann Peer
Amalia Deloney from Main Street Project says "It's a communication rights issue."


DTV UPDATE
Feb. 18, 2009
No-Cost Converter Box Option Now Available With Coupon
Order online, pick up at store or watch for upcoming DTV event


DTV UPDATES
Feb. 12, 2009
Many TV stations will switch to digital service on Feb. 17 or earlier

How-to video on making a low-cost DTV shoebox antenna
If you get a DTV converter box, you may still need a new antenna; Video by Duke Schempp from People Escaping Poverty Project (PEPP), our community partner in Moorhead, MN

 

Share your extra converter coupons through Retrevo exchange program
Got an extra coupon? Need a coupon? Know someone who does?

Visit our DTV page for more updates


NEWSLETTER
Feb. 9, 2009
Main Street Project 2009: Time for Hands-On Hope
A preview of work we feel hopeful about (with a nod back to 2008)


IN THE NEWS
Jan. 28, 2009
Digitally fearful? You've won a reprieve -- StarTribune
Congress is likely to give a break to nearly 6.5 million household that still aren't ready for digital TV; Main Street Project cited as a resource


MEDIA RELEASE
January 14, 2009
DTV Assistance Centers Open for Twin Cities Residents
Main Street Project to focus on bilingual trainings for community groups.