In this kickoff episode of Rural Ruckus, host John Monson sits down with Tim Penny, President & CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), to talk about building long-term trust and tangible change in rural communities.

From home libraries and early childhood development to entrepreneurial support and small-town vitality, SMIF has built a reputation for focused, effective investment. Tim shares the organization’s approach to leadership, staff stability, and how staying focused has amplified their community impact.

In this episode of Rural Ruckus, host John Monson welcomes Tim Penny, President & CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF). They dive into how SMIF has built long-term impact through early childhood programs, entrepreneurial investment, and small-town partnerships. With a focus on collaboration and staying power, Tim shares what it takes to build lasting trust in rural philanthropy.

In this episode of Rural Ruckus, host John Monson continues the conversation with James Hanke from Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA) to talk about rural entrepreneurship and innovation.

From coaching cohorts to business innovation labs, CEDA is empowering local entrepreneurs and uncovering the full potential of rural communities across Greater Minnesota. James shares how investing in entrepreneurs creates momentum, builds networks, and leaves a lasting legacy in small towns.

In Episode 3 of Rural Ruckus, host John Monson welcomes James Hanke from Community Economic Development Associates (CEDA) to talk about what it really takes to move small towns forward.

With years of experience working alongside rural communities, James shares practical insights on how CEDA helps towns leverage local assets, build momentum, and tackle challenges with confidence. This is rural development that’s built on relationships—not red tape.

In Episode 2, John sits down with Paul Kohls, Executive Team Member at Compeer Financial, to talk about the Rural Vitality Initiative and Compeer’s bold approach to rural development.

• Why Compeer focuses on rural communities, not just rural America
• What makes rural partnerships effective
• How Compeer is investing in healthcare, childcare, infrastructure, and rural business

“Rural development is a team sport. No one can solve this alone.” – Paul Kohls

In the debut episode, John shares the heart behind Rural Ruckus Radio:

• Why telling the stories of rural communities matters
• The deep connection between agriculture and small towns
• How collaborative thinking can replace competitive silos

“Main Street. Housing. Daycare. Labor. These aren’t buzzwords—they’re the lifeblood of rural places. It’s time we talk about them like they matter.” – John Monson