Day 2: Minnesota Nice

Standing here in Minnesota, we’ve been reminded of their famous “Minnesota Nice” reputation—but also the flip side some call “Minnesota Nice Nasty.” It’s that complex mix of warm welcome on the surface with a subtle bite underneath.

We started our morning with Dr. Kristen Delegard, the Project Director at the University of Minnesota for an interesting presentation on The Mapping Prejudice Project. “Minnesota Nice Nasty” was an undertone of this project as she shared the project’s research on not only the large racial disparities in current home ownership but the historical practice of covenants, provisions in a property sale restricting the sale to racial and sometimes different religious groups. These practices and their effects on our community make up are still affecting the social mobility of residents today and their property values.

Dr. Artika Tyner shared an impassioned presentation on The School to Prison Pipeline, challenging us to rethink our nation’s imprisonment practices, of which we spend $70 billion dollars a year in incarceration, probation and parole. This causes us to not look at this through a racial lens, but as a green person – one that looks at the economics and return on investment. The complicated beginnings of this pipeline start with school discipline and literacy rates.   When we apply our spectral thinking, we see there isn’t just one magic solution.

Our biggest takeaway: talk less, do more. Words mean little without action behind them.

We witnessed this firsthand at the Sanneh Foundation, created by former professional soccer player Tony Sanneh. The Foundation covers a multitude of programs for youth and supporting communities and genuine connections. What they’ve built is transformative—creating pathways to break the pipeline to prison through education and community support. As Tony Sanneh said, “I didn’t come with an answer, I came with a mission to help.” Spending time with these kids, playing games and seeing their energy was incredible. The center isn’t just a building — it represents the best of a community, hope in action.

This experience has challenged us to rethink how we give back to our own community—beyond the usual approaches, toward something more meaningful and lasting.​​​​​​​​​​​​ Real impact comes from consistent presence and genuine relationships. It’s about caring about your community and seeing the gaps to help be the support network we all need.

The Sanneh Foundation and Dr. Tyner show us how education can be the front end of reform instead of punishment. By ZOOMING OUT and investing in these kids now, they’re changing futures.

And even though we are in Minnesota, there are several parallels to issues we grapple with in California. From the start of covenant deed mapping in Contra Costa County, policies to reform how we handle incarceration, challenges of meeting students where they are to lift up for the best opportunities, the issues cross the country. As we look at these larger social issues and draw parallels to our industry, we are reminded that issues including those present in agriculture have stories to share and sometimes a narrative that is told for them but through education and building supportive communities, we can make a difference.

We ended today with a daily debrief, where we all pondered big questions. What arose from this exercise were more curiosities. What happens when we look beneath the surface of our communities? Our journey through Minnesota is revealing the striking contrast between welcoming exteriors and entrenched inequalities. How did historical practices like racial housing covenants shape the neighborhoods we see today? The Mapping Prejudice Project shows us these aren’t just relics of the past but active forces that can still determine who prospers and who struggles. When we spend $70 billion annually on incarceration while literacy rates falter, should we question our priorities? Dr. Tyner’s work on the school-to-prison pipeline forces us to confront this economic reality. And if words without action ring hollow, what can we learn from the Sanneh Foundation’s hands-on approach to community transformation? Their work reminds us that meaningful change requires consistent presence, not just good intentions. Whether in Minnesota or California, the path forward for issues like these as well as others demands both immediate intervention and the patience to plant seeds for a harvest we may never witness. What could our communities become if we approached them not with ready-made answers, but with Tony Sanneh’s humble mission “to help”?

We are leaders, today and tomorrow, in both agriculture and our communities. We have an obligation to make a difference, and can learn from the lived experiences and wisdom of others to do so. It’s noble work without a clear end, but As Dr. Tyner reminded us, “You might not live to see the harvest of your labor. At least plant the seed.” So, plant we shall, with integrity, trust, respect and love.

With gratitude,

Kelly Bishop, Carson Pettit, Theresa Schneider and the members of Class 54