I grew up in rural Minnesota among people who felt a deep sense of belonging to a particular piece of ground. The bonds of family and farm work tied them to their acreage. This, and curiosity about members of my own family tree who settled and labored here before me inspired Home Lands.
This project opened for me a more complete understanding of Minnesota history, parts I can celebrate and take pride in and others that evoke contemplation of the price paid by others for my privileged birth. What story will I tell my young daughter about how our family took root here? Can I help her have a full and nuanced picture of the transformation of the land under our feet that took place since her forth great-grandfather arrived in 1865?
Working Land refers to two facets of rural landscape: the idea of working the land as a vocation and as a description of productive ground. My family tree includes immigrant ancestors who made a living from working the soil and some of their descendants who carry on this work to the present day. That personal connection to working land inspired the project.
