Community Builders

Maryann Baldwin loves to plant the seeds of ideas. Whether she’s mentoring local entrepreneurs, supporting city agencies like the Lansing Parks and Recreation department, volunteering…

Brooke Pfeffer wouldn’t describe herself as a “community builder.” But community has a way of happening all around her (even some fun four-footed kind). That…

Generally, when people speak fondly of a community, it’s because it’s a place where they feel a sense of belonging. “To me, a community is…

Farming in the Midwest is a deep-rooted tradition. Grounded in a history of agriculture, cultivating the foods that end up on our tables has long…

It’s 1964, and Pete Espinosa is five. He’s riding in the car, a little boy accompanying his mom and older brother Paul on the 80-mile…

BY ARYN HENNING NICHOLS Originally published in the Fall 2019 Inspire(d) Much of Luke Zahm’s mission in life has been about creating identity. Whether it’s…

Community Builder: Greg Wennes – Sunrise Care Facility, Spring Grove, Minnesota Story and photos by Kristine Jepsen • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d)…

Community Builder: Shannon Dallenbach Durbin: ArtHaus & Creative Community By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) “I got this.” It’s…

Community Builders: Roxanne Schnitzler & Jessica Rediske: Red-Roxy Quilt Co. By Kristine Jepsen • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) When Roxanne Schnitzler and…

Community Builder: Adam Wiltgen: Program Director, Lanesboro Arts By Sara Friedl-Putnam • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) There’s some serious pep in Adam…

A community is defined as a unified body of individuals. You can build community in a neighborhood, city, region, state, nation…world, at any level. It…

By Kristine Jepsen • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) Magazine Meatball suppers, spaghetti feeds, pancake breakfasts: There’s no dispute that food fundraisers are…