I spent time with North Dakota Extension agents a couple weeks ago. It’s part of the mission of Land Grant Universities to connect the research of the institution to the day to day needs of a community. So they run 4-H programs for youth development, lead community nutrition programs, work with agricultural producers on best practices, and more.

I’ve done a lot of work with Extension teams across the country and I’m convinced if I ever broke down anywhere in a state, my first call would be to the local Extension office. They are the kind of folks who get things done. The kind of people who listen carefully to your issue, scratch their heads a little and then smile and say, “Let’s get to work.”

This particular conference was held over election day. And regardless of the headlines and the tensions, these folks continued to show up. For this studio process, for their communities, and for one another.

The question was, “What has called you to this work?” And these people are the ones who give me hope.