Inspired by winter home shows, Project Food Forest is organizing a “Love to Grow” expo Jan. 22 at Take 16 in Luverne.
Kim Rockman is executive director of Project Food Forest, whose mission is to help empower people to feed themselves through agroforestry, edible landscape design and education.
She said the “Love to Grow” expo is part of the group’s education efforts.
“We really want to make this approachable for people who are new to gardening and those who are experienced,” she said. “We know that people who are growers like to talk and share experiences with each other.”
Home shows offer only small glimpses into the gardening world, Rockman said, with generally one or two greenhouses or landscape designers at indoor home construction, remodeling and decor events.
The Jan. 22 gardening expo in Luverne offers a broader view, from growing vegetables and developing pollinator gardens to nurturing edible perennials (apples, berries, etc.) establishing native gardening.
The January timeframe allows enough time to purchase items or plan new techniques prior to the beginning of gardening season, Rockman said.
The first-time local expo is also a fundraiser for the Project Food Forest, which operates the local five-acre demonstration site, Prairie Ally, on North Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne.
The in-person expo begins at 1 p.m. in Take 16’s events area.
Local gardening expert George Bonnema kicks off the afternoon with a presentation on vegetable gardening followed by University of Minnesota Extension’s Gary Wyatt talking about edible perennials.
The South Dakota State University native plant initiative staff will present on native plant landscaping, and a local projects showcase will close out the educational presentations.
A social hour wraps up the expo at 5 p.m., allowing expo-goers to visit with vendors while enjoying appetizers and a charcuterie of locally grown ingredients. Specialty brews and teas will also be available.
A virtual live option of Love to Grow expo speakers is available from 1 to 4 p.m.
Cost is $30 for in-person attendance and $15 for the virtual option.
Purchase tickets online at eventbrite.com and Love to Grow Expo at Take 16.
For more information contact Rockman at 605-951-0227 or email info@projectfoodforest.org.

Dallas Bowron left lasting impressions with people he met during his 107 years in Rock County, most of them positive.
Bowron, Rock County’s oldest resident, died Saturday at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage.
“Dad was a positive guy who liked engaging with people,” said son John Bowron of Luverne. “He was honest and fair.”
The elder Bowron grew up in Magnolia and graduated from Magnolia High School in 1932 during the Great Depression.
“Lessons learned of that time taught Dad to be very conservative and self-reliant,” John said.
“Dad always paid cash — if you couldn’t pay for something, you didn’t need it.”
As a teenager, Dallas bought sheep for his livestock trader dad, often traveling to out-of-state sales. He purchased the champion Suffolk buck at the 1935 World’s Fair in Chicago.
“One local Rock County banker got a telephone call to see if his check would be good,” John said.
Business skills honed as a teenager served Dallas well when he started farming with his dad in 1939.
“He was always interested in improving what he was involved in,” John said.
Dallas convinced his dad that combines harvested grain better than threshers did by showing him the grain lost on the ground after threshing.
In 1958 Dallas purchased the Charolais cattle — the first to be raised in Rock County — to improve calf weaning weights.
Farming was a part of Dallas’ 42-year career. He and his late wife, Minerva, retired to Luverne in 1981.
To the Cedar Avenue neighborhood, Dallas was known as “Grandpa Bowron.” He used to give out candy to the kids who would frequently stop by.
Homemade birthday cards with scribbles and stickmen given to Dallas for his 99th birthday from the neighborhood children were among his most cherished, he told the Star Herald in 2013.
Dallas became a popular resident when he moved to Poplar Creek when he was over the age of 100. He lived there until entering hospice eight weeks ago.
He is remembered by his four granddaughters — Emily Crabtree, Alison Chinn, Johnna Ahrendt and Jessica Oye — and the life lessons and memories he has given them including:
•The role model of doing the right things, being honorable and loving unconditionally.
•The memories of his grace and movement on the dance floor as he loved dancing and teaching them to let him lead.
•Instilled a strong work ethic in those who worked by his side, especially his ability to spot and pull a roadside or pasture thistle no matter where he was headed.
•And being gratefulness for good health, where he never let age define him or limit him. Dallas just kept on living and doing as much as he could whether he was 80 or 100.
A complete obituary for Dallas is printed on page 7.

On the heels of a nearly complete $14 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade, the city of Luverne is investing more than $11 million into the historic power plant on East Main Street at the Rock River.
The project, which includes two new 3,100 kW generators at $3 million each, will ensure Luverne’s backup generators keep the city’s lights on in the event of a power outage.
The improvements will also allow the city to provide increased backup power for Missouri River Energy Services, which contracts with Luverne for that energy.
On Tuesday night’s agenda, the council took action on a resolution to issue electric revenue bonds in the amount of $11.865 million to make improvements that include:
•modernize the east substation and the associated switchgear,
•erect a control building,
•install two new 3-megawatt diesel generators in the power plant, and
•make all of the necessary improvements to the power plant to house the generation equipment.
City Administrator John Call said the improvements to the east substation are necessary to modernize the system so that it is reliable and up to current electrical specifications.
“The diesel generation project will be a very important reliability asset to the city in emergency situations,” Call wrote in the agenda notes, referring to ice storms, high winds and other situations.
“Also, the capacity agreement with our electrical partner (Missouri River Energy Services), will contribute $6.7 million in capacity payments over a 30-year period.”
Heavy equipment is mobilizing on site and work has started on the project.

Local residents will be able to take their written and behind-the-wheel driving tests in Luverne starting Jan. 26.
The Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) weekly test site at the Rock County Highway Department in Luverne reopens this month after nearly two years of pandemic closure.
The state closed all 93 test sites in March 2020 amid staffing and safety concerns.
A few months later, it reopened 14 consolidated stations statewide. Marshall was the closest to Rock County, but scheduling backlogs sent many to Mankato, Willmar and farther.
Later in the year a few more sites opened, but 70 test sites, mostly in rural areas of the state, remained closed, forcing rural drivers to travel hundreds of miles to get licensed.
Cindy Arends handles driver’s education registration for families in the Luverne School District.
“That is good news,” she said about the local site reopening Jan. 26.
“As far as I know, students have been getting tests done, but this will make it so much more convenient for parents to stay in town rather than travel.”
 
Hundreds of drivers, hundreds of miles
A Star Herald story this summer detailed hundreds of miles traveled by hundreds of local drivers for license testing.
Between March 2020 and March 2021, Arends said more than 100 students were affected by the state’s test station closures.
Many of them traveled 70 miles to Marshall’s driving exam station or more than 90 miles to Fairmont’s station. Others drove 140 miles to Willmar when the wait was too long in Marshall and Fairmont.
And they made these trips twice — once for the written test and another for the driving test. They made return trips if students didn’t pass their tests.
If all the students licensed last year went to Marshall, the closest option during that time, they made the 140-mile round trip twice (once for the written test and once for behind the wheel), totaling 280 miles.
In many cases, the accompanying adults took a day off work, and student drivers missed a day of school.
 
Efficiencies for whom?
Before the pandemic, exam stations were in each county operating at least one day per week (by statute). It meant students missed only an hour of school to take the test and then return to class.
After March 2021, the Worthington exam station reopened, but the state delayed reopening all locations, citing efficiencies gained from consolidations and centrally locating staff.
Rock County Administrator Kyle Oldre, however, pressed the state to reopen all locations, pointing out efficiencies for state employees created inefficiencies for people forced to travel for the service.
“Do they think it’s more efficient for 100 people to drive east, in our case, rather than two people to drive here?” he said last summer. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”
Luverne driver’s ed instructor Brian Snyders said Worthington is still an hour round trip for local drivers in an unfamiliar town.
“They have four-way stops and roundabouts that we don’t have here,” he said last summer.
Student drivers are only part of the driving population affected by the test station closures. Commercial drivers testing for their CDLs also had to travel for testing, missing more hours of work during the extra time away.
 
Appointments can now be made for Luverne test
When testing resumes in Luverne Jan. 26, hours will be Wednesdays from 8:45 a.m. to noon and from 12:30 to 3:45 p.m. for Class D skills (the most common driver’s license) and commercial skills.
Knowledge tests will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Customers can make appointments within two weeks of the exam station opening by calling 651-284-1234.
A complete list of locations and services can be found online at drive.mn.gov.

Luverne School Board members decided on a split vote to hire a full-time licensed practical nurse for the district.
The additional health support fills a request from administrators who sought more flexibility in meeting individual student needs.
The aide would provide one-0n-one student support when needed for a portion of the school day with the rest of the day assisting school nurse Phil Paquette.
The decision to add the position wasn’t easy. The board approved the position on a 4-2 vote at the Dec. 23 meeting.
Tim Jarchow made the motion with support from Reva Sehr, Dave Wrigg and Eric Hartman. Jodi Bosch was not at the meeting.
Jeff Stratton and Katie Baustian voted against the possible long-term position.
“I am not in favor of adding positions after seeing our declining enrollment,” Baustian said. “And our ESSR funds can be used in a different way — it’s going to run out at some point and then what are we going to do?”
ESSR — Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief — is pandemic aid that could be used to pay for the position, rather than using the General Fund.
The health aide, a 40-hour-a-week position, requires the minimum LPN qualifications. The pay is $25 per hour with no benefits.
“We are hopeful that we can get an advertisement out and find someone,” Superintendent Craig Oftedahl said. “We might not find anybody.”
 
Lower 2022 levy; food service budget in red
Board members accepted the 2022 local levy at $3,750,644, a decline of 3.94 percent from the year before.
The $152,862 decrease is due, in part, to lower enrollment in the district.
The district’s current budget is $19.9 million.
According to the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, the general and community education funds both ended with positive fund balances of $10.5 million and $141,736 respectively.
However, the food service fund lost $17,841.
District business manager Tyler Reisch indicated the food service fund might be at a negative $214,000 by the next fiscal year-end in June.
Reisch said increased food costs and the requirement to provide meals for free are driving the fund into the deficit. Reimbursement from the federal level is based on district family applications to the free and reduced meal program.
Prior to 2020, 33 percent of local families qualified for the federal free and reduced meal funding. Only 15 percent of families applied for the program this year.
“No one is applying for free and reduced lunch, because you are already getting it (for free),” Oftedahl said. “Your numbers are skewed — 15 percent of the people filled out the application; we lose out of 18 percent (of the reimbursement).”
The district may be able to apply for pandemic ESSR grant dollars to lessen the impact.
Meanwhile, Reisch said ways to cut or recoup food service costs will be considered before the end of the school year.

A good way to measure growth over time is to track the number of building permits issued for construction.
Luverne building official Chad McClure compiled numbers for 2021 when he issued 128 permits valued at $15,077,990.
Of those, seven were for single-family home construction valued at $1,128,742 and comprised nearly 13 percent of permit valuations last year.
McClure points out that these valuations don’t reflect actual cost; they’re based on formulation for permitting purposes only.
Major projects permitted in 2021 include: 
•Luverne Aquatics & Fitness commercial addition and remodel on North Blue Mound Avenue valued at $4.3 million.
•Kemp Electric new commercial building in the industrial park valued at $180,000.
•PrairiE Loft Apartments new commercial building at Hatting Street and South Highway 75 valued at $7 million.
•Luverne Storage Rentals new commercial building in the industrial park valued at $230,000.
McClure points out that 2021’s permits don’t include the $17.5 million Armory National Guard Readiness Center, which is permitted through the state.
Also, the $50 million Lineage cold storage warehouse near PMP and the city’s $11 million power plant and generation project will finalize permitting in 2022.
There were fewer projects permitted in 2021 than 2020, but the construction value was much greater in 2021 —$15,077,990 vs. $9,797,569 in 2020.
Major projects permitted in 2020 were the Premium Minnesota Pork new commercial building at $4.5 million, the HRA (Blue Mound Towers) remodel at $1.1 million, the Subway new commercial on South Highway 75 at $350,000 and the Henning Construction new commercial building at $150,000.
 
In other 2021 business news:
•ATLAS ministry moves and expands in the former Kawasaki building
•Big Top Tents moves and expands in the former Bomgaars building.
•Schomackers buys next-door Sewing Basket building and connects for crossover business.
•Agri-Energy to reopen May 1 after pandemic and economic closure.
•Luverne Counseling gets façade upgrade on Main Street business front.
•Vasshous Candle Co. opens on Main Street.
•Generations buys Grand Prairie Events and offers existing seniors building on Lincoln Street for sale.
•Blue Mound Digital opens with new local marketing opportunities.
•Barbara Kay’s Bridal Boutique opens in Victorian brick home south of I-90.
•Papik Motors buys Iowa dealership.
•Honor Barber Shop opens on North Freeman in apartment building under renovation.
•Lineage announces a $50 million cold storage warehouse construction near PMP to start in 2022.

Meetings
Luverne Music Boosters will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the LHS Choir Room. Everyone is welcome. Contact Heather Johnson with questions, 507-920-6825.
Battle Plain Township Board will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the conference room ofEdgerton Ag, 1300 Mechanic St., Edgerton.
Compassionate Friends will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, at the Luverne Area Community Foundation Office located next to the Palace Theatre in Luverne.  The group is for anyone who has experienced the death of a child, grandchild or sibling of any age and from any cause. Call 605-254-2072 or email pat.saum@gmail.com.
 
Free tax preparation
AARP volunteers will offer free tax preparation for low-income and seniors at the Rock County Library on Mondays starting Feb. 9 through April 15. Call 507-449-5040 for appointments. Bring documents, including last year’s tax return and a form of identification to document social security number. Masks required.

 Free food Jan. 20
New Life Celebration Church will offer free food at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at the Generations Building on East Lincoln Street in Luverne. Vehicles should enter the west parking lot from Lincoln Street and drive to the double glass doors on the west side of the building where volunteers will load groceries into cars. Walkers should receive their pre-packaged groceries on the east side of the building. Call 507-283-4366.
 
‘Love to Grow’ Expo Jan. 22
Project Food Forest and local sponsors will host a “Love to Grow” Expo from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at Take 16 on East Main Street. The event features Luverne horticulturalist George Bonnema and other professional presenters, a showcase of local projects, and vendors with locally produced goods and materials.
Appetizers and charcuterie of locally sourced ingredients are included in the ticket price, and specialty craft infused beers and herbal teas will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Project Food Forest's outreach and education efforts throughout the region. Tickets — $30 in person and $15 virtually — are at Eventbrite.com.
Contact Kimberly Rockman, 605-951-0227, with questions.
 
Winter Carnival Jan. 22
Luverne Music Boosters Winter Carnival will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in the Luverne Classic Gym. The event features food, games, prizes, Bingo, a cakewalk and more to benefit music education in Luverne Schools.
 
Online mental health classes
NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will offer free online mental health classes for January and February.
 Among them are suicide prevention classes called QPR – Question, Persuade and Refer — plus a special one for ag communities.
The classes are designed for family members and caregivers, persons living with a mental illness, service providers and also for the general public. Go to namimn.org and click on “Classes.”
 

Community Ed
Call Cindy at Community Ed, 507-283-4724, to register for classes.
Community Ed website is http://www.isd2184.net/Communit_Ed/index.htmlRefresher 4-hour Defensive Driving Class will be Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Luverne School students, grades 8 and older may register now for the Winter Session of Student Driver Education that begins Jan. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. The fee is $355, which includes 30 hours of classroom and six hours of behind the wheel instruction. On Jan. 24, out-of-district students may register for open spots in the winter session.
First Aid/CPR/AED Certification Class is Feb. 3.  Fee is $58.
Students ages 3-12 years old will learn to play the orff instruments (smaller version of xylophone) at Melodious Mallets.  Class begins Feb. 4 and culminates with the Luverne Street Music Spring Showcase in May.  Fee is $100 for 16 lessons.
Register by Feb. 9 for the ACT Prep class that begins Feb.24 for juniors and seniors.  Fee is $125.
Softball Camp begins on Feb. 10 for six sessions for girls in grades K-8 who are interested in being catchers and pitchers to learn and practice their skills (experienced or inexperienced).  Sign up by Feb. 1 at the lower fee of $60.

Preschool Fun for children ages 0-5 years and parent Jan. 25 or Jan. 27. No fee, but registration needed to reserve morning or evening play time.
 Happenings at the Rock County Library
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com
The 2022 Winter Reading Program, “Catch a Keeper at your Library,” is currently under way and goes through March 31. Read or listen to 12 books checked out from the Rock County Library and win a fabulous prize. Winter Reading Bingo will also be played. Bingo sheets are available now at the library.
Who says kids get to have all the fun? An Adult Show and Tell will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 17, at Take 16. Bring an item (or items) to tell us about or perhaps a story or two. It will be a fun and relaxing evening of sharing tales of local brews.
Bring your creative selves to Bad Art Night at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 17, at Take 16, and compete to see who can make the worst piece of art with provided supplies. The less artistic ability you have, the better. Prizes will be awarded.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.
 
Goehle gym open Sundays through March 27
The Hugo Goehle gymnasium in Hills is open for public recreation from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays now through March 27.
 
Nominations sought for Rock County Hall of Fame
The Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations for the 2022 induction of current and former residents.
Nominees must have a significant identity with Rock County and have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, and brought honor and prestige beyond the borders of Minnesota.
Nominations are accepted now through Feb. 28, 2022. Forms are available at The History Center, Luverne Area Chamber or online at www.rockcountyhistorical.com or www.luvernechamber.com. An awards presentation is scheduled for July 17, 2022.

If you plan to use a Restricted Use Pesticide on land or sites for the production of agricultural commodities, reside in the state of Minnesota, and your private pesticide applicator certification expires on March 1, 2022, you need to renew your certification.  You can double-check your certification status at https://z.umn.edu/PPAlookupMDA.  While there are several options to recertify in 2022, the cost is the same ($75) regardless of the option you choose.   
 
Option 1:  Attend a live in-person workshop.
Workshops offer a great opportunity to review regulations and safety issues related to pesticide application, as well as provide you with the latest University research on integrated pest management.
Recertification workshops scheduled for southwestern Minnesota include (complete list at www.pat.umn.edu):
•Jan. 27*, Pipestone, MN West Community & Technical College, Room 103, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
•Jan. 28, Slayton, Murray County 4-H Bldg.,  12:30 to 4 p.m.
•Feb. 2, Sleepy Eye, Sleepy Eye Event Center,  from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
•Feb. 7, Fairmont, Knights of Columbus,  from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
•Feb. 10, Marshall, Merit Center, from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
•Feb. 14, Jackson, American Legion, from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
•Feb. 22, Worthington, Worthington Event Center, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
•Feb 23*, Lamberton, Southwest Research and Outreach Center, from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
*Masks required at these locations due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Anyone attending a workshop for recertification must bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Bringing your Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Card will assist in the registration process as well. Please note you must attend the entire workshop to meet recertification requirements.
Walk-ins are welcome, but NEW this year, pre-registration is available, up to three days prior to the event at www.pat.umn.edu (be sure to note cancellation policies). Check-in will start 30 minutes prior to the posted start time. For walk-ins, payment will be collected by checks only.
In case of inclement weather, please call the Farm Information Line at 1-800-232-9077 for any weather-related updates. You can also check our Twitter feed @UmnPSEE or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UmnPsee for weather-related program changes.
Workshop topics include:
•Pesticide Laws and Regulations.
•Personal Protective Equipment.
•Planning a Successful Pesticide Application.
•Current Crop/Pest Issues and Integrated Pest Management.
 
Option 2:  Take an online, self-paced Canvas Course.
With this option you work through educational modules at your own pace (if you do not finish in one sitting, your work will be saved and resume where you left off). Note, this course must be finished by Feb. 28, 2022. Registration can be found at www.pat.umn.edu under the “Self-paced course” section.   
 
Option 3:  Take the exam online by going to www.pat.umn.edu and clicking on the “Exams” section. The manual (19th edition), which helps with the test, is available at no cost online.
 
Option 4:  Take the mail-in written exam by picking up a test packet at most county Extension offices or by contacting the Worthington Regional Extension Office (507-372-3900, Ext 3901).  You may also request a hard copy of the manual (cost of $10) to help with the test.
 
Option 5:  Attend a live, online Zoom workshop (Feb 24, 1:00 to 4:30 OR Feb 25, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).  Space is very limited and pre-registration is required.  See more details at www.pat.umn.edu.
Successful completion of any of these options will renew your certification for three years. For more details and requirements on all the options, including payment and cancellation policies, go to:  www.pat.umn.edu.
Note that these workshops are separate from the additional, annual training required for certified applicators who wish to apply dicamba formulations onto dicamba-tolerant soybeans. Check the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Association website at https://mcpr-cca.org/dicamba-information-trainings/ for more information regarding these sessions. If you plan to apply paraquat, see https://z.umn.edu/paraquat for more details on additional training requirements as well.
 
If you have never been certified or your certification has already expired, you MUST take the test either online or by the mail-in option to receive your certification. After successfully becoming certified, you will be eligible for recertification options when it is time to renew in three years.
Contact Liz Stahl, Extension Educator in Crops (507-372-3900 ext. 3912, or stah0012@umn.edu) if you have questions or need further information about these workshops.
Liz Stahl is an Extension Educator in Crops with University of Minnesota Extension

The critically important role of health care workers has never been more apparent than now as we enter a second winter with COVID-19.
Minnesota’s nursing assistants, RNs, respiratory therapists and many others have saved thousands of lives during the pandemic. They need more Minnesotans to join them in this noble and lifesaving work.
That’s why Governor Walz has proclaimed January as Health Care Month, and he’s working with top officials in health, human services, education and economic development.
“There are tens of thousands of open health care positions throughout Minnesota – at every level, in every setting and in every part of the state,” said Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove.
“Caring people are needed now more than ever to make a difference in the lives of others – and get started on a fulfilling, in-demand career path.”
Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Heather Mueller said reaching students early and often is key to addressing the health care worker shortage.
“We need to ensure that our students know about the many career pathways that exist within the health care profession and how each of these pathways can intersect with other areas of career interest,” she said.
“High school students age 15 and older have an opportunity to earn while they learn by engaging in training that allows them to be hired into age-appropriate health care employment.”
In higher education, training and tuition incentives are being offered for students pursuing education in high-need career areas at public institutions.
During Health Care Month, special focus will be put on sharing health care employment opportunities with unemployed Minnesotans, Minnesotans looking for a fulfilling career, as well as students at both the high school and college level.
Many entry-level health care positions can be started with employer-provided training, and many of those positions leverage skills and experience from other industries – meaning people with employment experience from other sectors are encouraged to apply.
Wages go up with additional training and certification, which in some cases is also paid for by the employer.
There is projected long-term demand for many health care positions, according to DEED’s Labor Market Information office, as well as critically high current demand for many health care workers.
DEED and its partners in CareerForce are hosting health care hiring events around the state.
MDE is sharing health care career exploration information and encouraging school leaders and teachers to connect with local health care employers hiring high school age students now.
The Office of Higher Education is leading an effort to enroll, train and deploy 1,000 certified nursing assistants to long-term care locations by the end of January.
DHS is engaging in intensified efforts to connect direct support professionals with Minnesotans with disabilities who need them.
MDH is exploring ways to expand access to health care employment by addressing pandemic-induced training and certification bottlenecks and encouraging vaccinations to reduce the burden on the health care system.
All the agencies are committed to working together to connect Minnesotans with career path employment in critically needed health care positions to address the health care workforce shortage.