Rural Voice Returns to St. Joseph, Focuses on Belonging

Five years after the Rural Voice town hall series first visited St. Joseph, the community conversation returns this September to explore how Central Minnesota towns are building a culture of welcoming and belonging.

On Monday, Sept. 14, residents, business leaders, educators and local advocates will gather at Krewe in St. Joseph for a live, moderated discussion titled “Belonging—Are Rural Communities Welcoming Enough?” The free, in-person event is part of the fifth season of the Rural Voice town hall series, which is designed to elevate local perspectives on critical issues facing Greater Minnesota.

Moderated by Minnesota Public Radio’s Kerri Miller, the St. Joseph town hall will feature an open conversation on how communities can foster a deeper sense of welcoming and belonging for newcomers and long-term residents alike. Doors open at 5 p.m. for networking; the discussion runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a community reception and dessert.

“We are thrilled to bring this conversation back to St. Joseph,” said Brian Voerding, president at the Initiative Foundation, a supporting partner of the series. “These town halls provide a vital space for neighbors to connect, share their lived experiences and discuss practical ways to make our communities places where everyone prospers, participates and belongs.”

Registration and Broadcast Information

While the event is free and open to the public, registration is required. The discussion will be recorded and broadcast one week later on Minnesota Public Radio. To learn more or register, visit ruralvoice.org.

Other Upcoming Rural Voice Events

The 2026 Rural Voice season will also host community conversations on other key regional topics across Greater Minnesota:

• Sept. 8 – Marshall: Workforce housing challenges and solutions.
• Sept. 21 – Grand Rapids: Strategies for retaining local graduate talent.
• Sept. 28 – Albert Lea: Building thriving, locally owned Main Streets.
• Sept. 29 – Faribault: Facts, fiction and the future of rural data centers.