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THE LAND — MARCH 31, 2023
www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
Rural doctor program students make small towns home Spring has technically been here for a ticipated. Two out of three of this group while. (It depends, of course, which defipractice medicine in Minnesota. Seventynition of spring one uses.) But it is now five percent are primary care physicians. beginning to feel like spring. In celebraForty percent practice in rural areas. tion of the positive, this month’s column That is a successful program. is about the University of Minnesota I had the pleasure of recently talking to Medical School’s work to train primary Dr. Adrianne Moen who practices in care physicians for Minnesota and particStaples, Minn. She personally participatularly for the non-metro parts of our ed in the RPAP program and now lives state. HEALTHCARE and practices in Staples. The hospital FOCUS In 1971, the medical school launched a and clinic she works at currently host program to place third-year medical stuBy Mark Brakke two RPAP students each year. She recalls dents in rural communities for part of her rural healthcare experience as a stutheir training. The medical students live, work and dent as being very positive. study in these communities for nine months. The Another recent development from our University program is called the Rural Physician Associate Medical School will be very positive for rural Program (RPAP). Minnesota. A new medical school campus will open Most of us recognize involvement in a community in St Cloud and have a class size of 80. is a positive experience. The medical students get to Currently, the Minneapolis campus has 175 stumeet patients, nurses, hospital and clinic staff, comdents per year and the Duluth campus has 65 stumunity members and local doctors. It is an opportudents per year. Fifty-five students at the Minnesota nity for those students to become enthusiastic about Mayo Medical School makes a total of 295 medical the option of practicing medicine in a non-metro students per year. Adding another 80 in St Cloud location. will be a 27 percent increase. Since 1971, over 1,700 medical students have parThere is currently a shortage of primary care phy-
sicians in Minnesota and the United States, so this increase in physician supply is much needed. We can be thankful the University of Minnesota Medical School is responding to this need. It is worth mentioning the University of Minnesota Medical School’s program for training primary care physicians (family practice physicians, pediatricians, obstetrician/gynecologists, internists) is ranked as one of the best in the country. Recalling that we live in a democracy and the government needs our input to make good decisions, consider contacting your Minnesota senator, representative and the governor and let them know you appreciate their commitment to making healthcare work in outstate Minnesota. Just as it is said it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to raise a doctor. Best wishes to all of you for a fine spring. Mark Brakke is a retired family practice physician. He cared for patients in Coon Rapids, Minn. for 41 years during which time he was on the boards of directors of two health insurance companies. He currently is on the board of the educational non profit Health Care for All Minnesota (HCA-MN.org). v
Calendar of Events Visit www.TheLandOnline.com to view our complete calendar and enter your own events, or send an e-mail with your event’s details to editor@thelandonline.com.
April 1 — Gardening Education Day — Hutchinson, Minn. — The day will include guest speakers, vendors, a silent auction, door prizes, and access to horticultural resources. Contact the McLeod County Extension office at (320) 484-4302. April 1 — Gardening in the Driftless — Houston, Minn. — The annual Spring Days event will include morning and afternoon keynote speakers as well as a variety of breakout sessions taught by local experts. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit vendor booths, bid on silent auction items and shop at the country store. Contact Houston County Extension at (507) 725-5807. April 10 — Navigating Business Resources with the Help of Your Local Business Incubator — Online — Learn about how local business incubators can help your food business navigate business resources. Contact Jessica Jane Spayde at spayde@ wisc.edu. April 11-13 — Dairy Calf & Heifer Association Annual Conference — Prior Lake, Minn. — The conference will include three speakers, Ross Bernstein, Dave Kuehnel, and Peggy Coffeen. There will also be a trade show with approximately 50 companies highlighting their calf and heifer products. Visit their website for more information at calfandheifer.org.
April 11-13 — PEAK 2023 — Minneapolis, Minn. — Formerly called the Midwest Poultry Federation Convention, PEAK is the nation’s largest trade show and convention in North America focused exclusively on the business and food production of poultry. Contact Lara Durben at ldurben@midwestpoultry.com or (763) 284-6763. April 12 — International Dairy Federation Webinar — Online — The IDF will offer a technical webinar to share some of the main takeaways of the recently published Global Marketing Trends report. Visit their website for more information at fil-idf.org. April 12 — Women’s Ag Leadership Conference — Chaska, Minn. — The conference will begin with a welcome session, followed by roundtable discussions. There will also be mini-sessions focused on current topics, two breakout sessions, and an optional historic Red Barn self-guided tour. Contact Doris Mold at doris@ sunriseag.net or (612) 414-7574. April 13 — How to Bring Skilled Professionals to Your Farm Using the Visa Programs Webinar — Online — Miguel Rangel, DVM will discuss the process of using the U.S. visa programs to bring skilled professionals to U.S. dairy operations from foreign countries. Information provided will include the application process, rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, and clarification of common misconceptions. Iowa Contact: Fred Hall, (712) 737-4230 or Minnesota Contact: Jim Salfer, (320) 203-6093.
April 14 — Things to Think about when Planning a Timber Sale — Online — Join University of Minnesota Extension foresters to discuss a key issue facing woodland owners in Minnesota. Contact Gary Wyatt at wyatt@umn.edu. April 17 — Spring Gardening Seminar — Sauk Rapids, Minn. — This event will include horticulture topics, and is open to all gardening enthusiasts. The workshop will include two sessions: “Soil, starting from the ground up” and “Going ‘No-Till’ with your garden 2.0.” Visit http://z.umn.edu/SpringSeminar2023 for more information. April 21 — Strategies to keep your woods healthy and resilient — Online — Join University of Minnesota Extension foresters to discuss a key issue facing woodland owners in Minnesota. Contact Gary Wyatt at wyatt@umn.edu. April 28 — 2023 Participatory Science: Spotted Lanternfly, Mock Strawberry, Garlic Mustard Aphids — Online — Join University of Minnesota Extension foresters to discuss woodland topics. Contact Gary Wyatt at wyatt@umn.edu. April 29 — Minnesota River Valley Master Gardeners Spring Workshop — Mankato, Minn. — Sessions include Tips for Growing Tomatoes, Trees and Shrubs for a Changing Climate, and Discovering the Beauty of Usefulness of Native Plants. Contact U of M Extension Office for Blue Earth County at (507) 304-4325.