January 2025

The Hawk Creek Watershed Project (HCWP) is holding its 23rd Annual Information and Appreciation Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Renville Community Center, starting with registration at 9 a.m. and ending with lunch at 12:30 p.m. Presenters include Dr. Kami D. Anez, President of Anez Consulting, Inc. of Willmar, who will discuss the impacts and interactions of healthy soil on our health. Dr. Matt Simcik with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, will present on PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals”, and how they affect our health and water quality and what actions are being taken to mitigate them. Heidi Rauenhorst, HCWP Coordinator, will give an annual update of the HCWP, sharing information on funds and technical assistance that is available to help residents with water quality and erosion projects on their property, water quality, aquatic invasive species, and other activities that benefit watershed residents. Lunch will follow the presentations for those who RSVP. Certified crop advisers can earn soil and water continuing education units for attending this meeting. In the case of inclement weather, the meeting will be rescheduled for Feb. 26. The full agenda and weather-related announcements are available at hawkcreekwatershed.org. Please RSVP by February 11 to (320) 523-3666 or jordan@hawkcreekwatershed.org.

This January, WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs, Inc. is taking some time to discuss human trafficking and stalking. January is Human Trafficking Awareness and National Stalking Awareness Month. WRAP has provided services for victims of human trafficking since 2020 and has assisted victims of stalking since 1994. In this article, we will be discussing different types of human trafficking and stalking, different signs and red flags for trafficking and stalking, self-awareness, and prevention of these crimes.