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Driving through the rural expanse of southwestern Minnesota, there are a lot of things you might expect to see, such as corn fields, cattle, and the quaint main streets of small town America. But, if you find yourself in Worthington, Minnesota, you might be surprised to find the warehouse-sized footprint of a meatpacking facility, along with a rainbow of different cultural restaurants and grocers dotting the main drag. Why is a meatpacking plant so far from a major city center like the Twin Cities? And who are the residents of Worthington whose businesses comprise such a diverse town center?

In this episode, historian and host Dr. Chantel Rodriguez delves into the historical context of the meatpacking industry, including its migration from urban centers to rural areas. Chantel also explores how meatpacking’s history of relying on immigrant labor has evolved over time, and how the cultural landscape of rural towns such as Worthington were shaped by global forces. To dig into these questions, Chantel spoke with professor of history Roger Horowitz. To hear their personal stories and connections to the industry, Chantel also sat down with Worthington meatpacking workers Antonio Morales and Leonardo Duarte, as well as Leonardo’s daughter, Andrea Duarte-Alonso.