West Central Initiative

☀️ The Lakes and Prairies Solar Co-op is open for new members!  Ready to go solar? The Lakes and Prairies Solar Co-op, brought to you by West Central Initiative, Solar United Neighbors, and Clean Energy Resource Teams, is making solar energy more affordable and accessible than ever!  Joining the co-op is free. By joining you’ll receive:  ✅ Competitive solar pricing  ✅ Advice from solar experts  ✅ A supportive network of co-op members  ✅ A bigger clean energy impact in your community Attend one of our Solar 101 events to learn more:   📅 Morris: November 12 at 6:30 p.m.  📅 Fergus Falls: December 4 at 6:30 p.m.  📅 Moorhead: January 23 at 6:30 p.m.  📅 Virtual Solar 101: February 11 at noon  📅 Virtual Solar 101: March 25 at 7 p.m. Visit https://lnkd.in/gJ9kbfhd to learn more and join the co-op today! 

🎃 As Halloween approaches, let’s embrace the fun while keeping sustainability in mind! From creative costumes to greener trick-or-treating, there are many ways to celebrate without contributing to waste. Here are 5 easy ways to make your Halloween a little greener this year: 👻Sustainable Costumes: Get creative with DIY costumes using items you already have.  🚲 Greener Trick-or-Treating: Walk or bike to explore your community, or carpool with neighbors to cut down on emissions.  🍫Reducing Candy Waste: Buy in bulk or choose eco-friendly treats.  🎃 Pumpkin Disposal: Instead of tossing your carved pumpkins, compost them or feed wildlife.   🍁Eco-Friendly Decorations: Choose reusable decorations, thrift store finds, or create your own with natural materials. Let’s make this Halloween not just spooky, but also sustainable! Visit https://lnkd.in/gzyz7-4J  for more tips and tricks! #halloween #tips #sustainability

Thank you to everyone who came out to Fergus Brewing Company for a powerful evening of thoughtful conversation with MPR News and Braver Angels! Together, we explored how to navigate our “inner polarizer” and engage in discussions without contempt or ridicule. Your participation helps build a stronger, more connected community where challenging conversations can happen with respect and understanding. Special thanks to MPR for recording this meaningful session as part of their "Talking Sense” series. 

☀️ Solar energy is more accessible than ever with new federal tax credits and grant programs! We’re helping communities go solar through the SolSmart program and partnering with Solar United Neighbors to launch a cooperative purchasing program. Don’t miss our Solar PV Permitting & Inspection Best Practices training on October 23, 12-2 PM, designed to help local governments encourage more rooftop solar installations. Visit https://lnkd.in/g7Ru5j-P to learn more about this opportunity. Let’s build a brighter, more sustainable future together! 

🎨 Apply now for Artists on Main Street!  Is your town ready to transform its Main Street into a vibrant, welcoming space with the help of local artists? Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC) and West Central Initiative are now accepting applications for Artists on Main Street, an exciting program that brings together art, culture, and downtown revitalization. Participating communities will receive customized workshops, technical support, and $10,000 in funding for local, artist-led projects! 📅 Deadline to Apply: October 30, 2024 Build your town’s creative capacity and watch your Main Street come to life. Visit https://lnkd.in/gNTQkYgQ to apply today! 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an incredible evening with Marlene Johnson as she shared her journey. We’re honored to hear from a true trailblazer alongside local mayors Amy Johnson and Shelly Carlson. Your presence helped make the night unforgettable as we continue to celebrate and support women in leadership. Special thanks to the Fergus Falls Public Library and Victor Lundeen Company for sponsoring this meaningful event! 

Welcome to the team, Typhanie Schafer! Typhanie has joined us as our Office Administrator to oversee key administrative functions to ensure operational efficiency, including managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and overseeing facility maintenance. "What drew me to West Central Initiative was the incredible, community-based work that you do here. I am so inspired by the mission and values that the organization stands on and the programs and projects that West Central Initiative brings to our communities," Shafer said. "I'm most excited about being a part of the team and helping to support the mission of West Central Initiative. I truly believe in the work that we do here, it's a joy to be a part of it." Visit our blog to learn more about Typhanie: https://lnkd.in/gYtgT-Ue Welcome, Typhanie!

Did you catch us on last week’s episode of Rural Voice? Minnesota Public Radio host Kerri Miller brought the topic of conservation farming to Buck Mills Brewing in Detroit Lakes on September 9 for a Rural Voice town hall discussion. Farmers, biologists, agriculture leaders, and community members gathered to discuss what’s already being done and what potential remains.   Don't worry if you missed the live episode. You can listen to the episode or watch the recording online! 

🌾 A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in Detroit Lakes at Bucks Mill Brewing for an inspiring conversation on conservation agriculture! Special thanks to Rural Voice and Minnesota Public Radio's Kerri Miller for leading such an engaging discussion. Together, we’re planting the seeds for a more sustainable future in west central Minnesota!  If you missed the event on Monday, tune in to MPR or mprnew.org on Tuesday, September 17, at 9 a.m. to hear the conversation on the radio or watch the video on MPR’s YouTube channel.

📣 We’re looking for a Marketing & Communications Specialist to join our dynamic team at West Central Initiative! This role is key in cultivating relationships through strategic content creation and branding, helping connect audiences to our region and each other. You’ll collaborate closely with project leaders, manage vendor relationships, and lead the development of communication plans that support our mission. If you’re a skilled storyteller with experience in content creation, graphic design, and communications strategy, we invite you to help us drive engagement and growth in our region. Visit wcif.org/careers to learn more and apply by October 7!