Otter Cove Children's Museum will be a state-of-the-art educational and cultural center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, providing a much-needed accessible, indoor play space for the children of Otter Tail County and beyond. Otter Cove was started and driven by a group of moms but the actual place, Otter Cove, is for children and the "critters" who live there; the otter in the Otter Romp Playground, the fox at the cafe, the beaver at the dentist office, the raccoon at the grocery store, the swan on the stage, the mice at the bookstore, and the skunk at the veterinarian.
This project includes new exhibit components and enhancements; facilitating diverse workshops and performances for children and families, and four mini camps for children ages 6-12 during school/summer breaks.
Wilderness Inquiry engages 20,000 Minnesotans through outdoor adventures, promoting equity in access to outdoor activities, places, and careers and supporting stewardship and conservation values for current and future generations.
To construct a stage and bring in artists and entertainment. Artists will demonstrate woodworking, yarn spinning, and photography. A local bluegrass band will be featured for the first time at the fair.
The Perpich Arts Integration Network of Teachers (PAINT) fosters collaborative arts integration in Minnesota through K-12 teacher professional development and funding to schools. With Perpich Center facilitation, teacher teams develop and implement arts-integrated lessons and units. PAINT program components include:
Provide professional development workshops at three Greater Minnesota locations for 60 teachers to use phenology education curriculum and community science resources, reaching >7,000 students in the first three years.
To revitalize our Dakota language and increase the use of our language through classes, immersion efforts and activities promoting Dakota use throughout the community.
In 2022, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will engage in Intensive Watershed Monitoring in the Missouri River Basin which includes four watersheds. Through this agreement, the Pipestone Soil and Water Conservation District will assist with this effort by monitoring seven stream sites in three of the targeted watersheds. The sites are located on Medary Creek, Flandreau Creek, Pipestone Creek, Rock River (x2), Poplar Creek, and Chanarambie Creek. The sites were chosen by the MPCA and agreed upon by local entities.
To promote and expand interest in the heritage of polka music and dance at the Pipestone County Fair. A polka performance will allow fairgoers to see first-hand the history of a genre music and dance that has been in existence since the 19th century.
To increase awareness of and promote local Native American history. Over two days, events will include: peacepipe carving demonstration by the members of The Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers, an interactive display that allows the public to carve pipestone, Native American dance demonstrations by six members of The Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers and Pipestone Indian Shrine, and a Native American dance costume display.
