Brad Redlin, Manager of the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture talks about how it is a team effort between his department and farmers to improve water quality around Minnesota. Brad Redlin explains how the Water Quality Certification works and how it is helping farmers navigate challenges to farming and result in a more sustainable farm.

Join us as we explore the third river in Three Rivers - The Crow. Dan Nadeu joins us from Wright Soil and Water Conservation District. He explains why the Crow used to be called "the armpit of the Mississippi" and how the partnerships he has with farmers along the Crow River are integral to improve its water quality.

Park Service Assistant Thao Vang talks to us about fishing in Three Rivers Park District, how fishing has changed over time for Hmong culture in Minnesota, and how to create a welcoming environment for people new to fishing.

Nick Sacco from Three River's Outdoor Recreation School and Janine Kohn from the Minnesota DNR drop us a line to go over fishing basics such as how to get started, what equipment you might need, where to go, and proper fishing etiquette. 

Join us as we dive under the water to explore fishing habitats with Brian Vlach, Water Resources Senior Manager at Three Rivers.  Diverse aquatic habitats throughout Minnesota support a huge range of fishes, not all lakes are the same. We also discuss how climate change is impacting fish populations in Minnesota.

The great coffee migration ends back in Minnesota where we talk to Anne Costello of Peace Coffee Company, a local Minnesota roaster. Anne discusses how coffee is roasted, the environmental impacts of roasting coffee, and best practices in the coffee industry.  Julia Holiday, a historical interpreter from Three Rivers joins lastly to share past coffee substitutes. 

In this episode we are joined by three coffee farmers to hear their perspective on farming everyone's favorite morning drink. Ashley Prentice in Guatemala, Gabriel Miari in Brazil, and Mario Palomo in Honduras discuss the similarities and differences of growing coffee in their different companies and steps they have taken to grow environmentally friendly coffee. Translation is done by Giannina Posner.

Amanda Eastwood of Westrock Coffee Company joins us to talk about what it is like buying coffee from farmers, how the process can support local communities economically and improve the health of farmers, and why that is important in the coffee trade. She also provides some recommendations on what you can look for on coffee labels to see if your coffee supports coffee farming communities.

Birds and coffee have more in common than just hearing both early in the morning. Many of the migrating species that call Minnesota home in the summer live on coffee farms in the winter. Learn how coffee farms impact birds and steps that can be taken to create coffee farms that have bird biodiversity as rich as actual rainforests. 

Three Rivers believes you belong here. Making sure that "You" applies to everyone is a continual job with a lot of work going on behind the scenes to ensure our parks are accessible. Join us as we talk to Chris Boyer, Executive Director of Three Rivers Park District Foundation about what the Foundation is, and how it helps make our parks more accessible. Then, Lynn Stoltzmann, Director of Facility Services, and Designer Nate Straka, talk to us about how the Park District evaluates the accessibility of our parks and makes changes that are needed.