Dan Wilson: What Living at a Catholic Worker House Taught Me
“…In this episode of How Life Shapes Us, Dan Wilson reflects on the unexpected paths that led him from college plans for medical school to a life rooted in community service. His journey includes running a summer camp for cows, living and working at Bethany House, and advocating for greater voter turnout in southeastern Minnesota.” Listen
The Real Housing Problem in Winona (And How to Fix It) w/ Dan Wilson
“This week, Dan Wilson steps into the Speakeasy Studio for a timely and important conversation about the future of Winona’s housing. We dive deep into local housing needs, zoning challenges, and Dan’s ideas on how we can make housing more affordable and accessible for our community… If you care about housing, local leadership, or the direction of our community, this is an episode you won’t want to miss…” Watch
Wilson is back, this time for Winona House seat
“A Wiscoy Township farmer who grazes cattle announced a new candidacy for the state Legislature. This time Dan Wilson, a Democrat is intent on flipping Winona’s House District 26A by defeating first-term incumbent Aaron Repinski. Wilson, age 37, has been around the block…” Read More
Winona County names comp plan committee by Chris Rogers
“After sharp disagreement earlier this spring about the importance of updating the plan and concerns about rural representation in the process, the Winona County Board unanimously appointed a Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee made up of predominantly rural residents late last month…” Read More
Winona Quakers affirm diversity, equity and inclusion values by Dan Wilson
“Winona Friends Meeting, as a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), affirms that every person is created with inherent dignity and worth. Rooted in the sacred call to love our neighbors as ourselves, we embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as sacred mandates, not optional ideals. Our commitment to justice calls us to build a community where every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity and orientation, ability, economic status, or creed, is welcomed, valued, and empowered…” Read More
From private wells to public wins: The farmer driving clean water reform in rural Minnesota
“For Dan Wilson, clean drinking water isn’t something to take for granted. As a southeast Minnesota farmer who relies on a private well, he’s deeply concerned about nitrate contamination, a serious problem linked to higher rates of cancer and birth complications in the region…” Read More
Let’s face up to the risks associated with groundwater nitrates in southeastern Minnesota by Dan Wilson
“As a farmer in southeastern Minnesota, I’ve seen my neighbors contract a myriad of entirely preventable diseases related to the water they have been drinking.
Toddlers in our daycares have experienced birth defects and developmental delays due to preterm births and low birth rates, and it’s likely that our hospitals are filled with those undergoing treatments for entirely preventable cancers. All of this is caused by unsafe levels of nitrates in our groundwater. “ Read More
July-September 2024 Update ADDRESSING NITRATE IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA
“This document provides updates from Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) on their efforts to address nitrate in groundwater in southeast Minnesota from July through September 2024.” Read More
Winona creates housing fund; no funding yet by Gabriel Hathaway
“Winonans supported a local housing trust fund (LHTF) last month and applauded the Winona City Council when it took action to establish the fund, which supporters hope will help with Winona’s housing challenges. Although no dollars were immediately allocated to the new fund, which is geared toward affordable housing projects, city staff plan to ask the City Council to approve funding in the future…” Read More
How can Winona fund housing needs? by Gabriel Hathaway
“Through housing studies, homebuyers' struggles in the real estate market, and the city’s comprehensive plan, Winona’s housing problem has been well documented, but what can Winona do to solve this issue? At a forum late last month, state agencies and others highlighted a host of grant programs and funding resources available to local governments, nonprofits, and developers…” Read More
Why we’re talking about housing by Marcia Ratliff, Dan Wilson, and NDea Young of Engage Winona
“Engage Winona is an independent, nonpartisan 501c3 nonprofit that drives equitable civic action and social change by working to ensure that everyone has access, voice, and power in Winona.
In 2023, we received a grant to start the Winona Area Kitchen Table. This is a program that supports people who have experienced housing instability and want to give back to the community…” Read More
Why is local voter turnout low? by Alexandra Retter
“Over the last several elections, voter turnout in Winona County has been among the 10 lowest across all Minnesota counties. A few community members involved in local politics or nonprofits said voter engagement and campaign strategies may contribute to that trend…” Read More
East Rec's first block party since pandemic by Gabriel Hathaway
“Community members got out to enjoy the sun, play yard games, chase bubbles, make arts and crafts, meet each other, and learn about local nonprofits last week at the city’s first East Recreation Center (ERC) block party since 2019. City staff said it was time to bring it back after COVID and hope to throw the party again next year…” Read More
Block parties share chances to get involved by Alexandra Retter
On a recent summer evening at Maplewood Community Center, Engage Winona held a block party during which community members could register to vote and talk with a number of community organizations about ways to get involved.
“Local organization Engage Winona held this ‘Leadership is for Everyone’ block party to have an event right in community members’ backyards, with family-friendly activities, so it would be easier for community members to participate, Engage Winona Policy Assistant Dan Wilson said. One goal was encouraging community members to register to vote, he said…” Read More
Can Winona County turn around its lagging voter turnout? These people are working to do that by Clay Masters
“On a recent afternoon, Rae Peter was going door to door in a Winona neighborhood, holding a smartphone. They were logged into an app showing households where someone is either not registered to vote or hasn’t voted in a long time.
Finding those people at home was a bit of a challenge, said Peter, who was working on behalf of an organization called Minnesota Voice…” Read More
Catholic Worker: Roundtable on housing solutions
“The Winona Catholic Worker is hosting a roundtable discussion titled "Unlocking Housing Solutions" with Dan Wilson on Sunday, November 17, from 3-4:30 p.m. at its location at 832 West Broadway in Winona.
Dan Wilson is a staff member of Engage Winona, a nonprofit organization that “moves Winona forward, together,” and a volunteer with the Winona Catholic Worker…” Read More
Share input on rural broadband needs June 17
“The Minnesota Department of Economic Expansion is helping host a Digital Inclusion Committee in Wiscoy Township in southern Winona County. The committee will receive community feedback from folks that are lacking good broadband access, then use this information to help write Minnesota’s Digital Equity Plan.” Read More
Rural broadband access listening session Sept. 6
Engage Winona and staff from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) are co-hosting a Digital Opportunity Listening Session in southern Winona County. DEED has written a Digital Opportunity Plan outlining how to best use new funding from the federal government. This plan has been written in consultation with community groups from across the state, and now that the plan is written they are looking for even more feedback to make sure that it serves every community…” Read More
Winona nonprofit hosts listening session about internet access by Allyson Fergot
“Winona, Minn. (WKBT) -- More than 3,000 homes in Winona County don't have access to the internet according to Dan Wilson, a policy assistant at Engage Winona.
Engage Winona is a nonprofit focused on expanding access to community decision-making.
On Wednesday, they partnered with the Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development to host a listening session about internet access…” Read More