GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 13, 2025—Host Bret Amundson visits with Karl Erickson from Urban Ice Anglers and Ray Ruiz from Baztec as they lead the charge to get more kids outside, and AURI researchers design erosion-control mats made from hemp fibers and showcase the new Bioindustrial Innovation Center in Waseca, all on the next Prairie Sportsman. “10,000 Youth Ice Anglers and Ag-Based Products” will air on Pioneer PBS Sunday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. Check local listings and our showtimes landing page for air dates and times on other PBS stations in Minnesota and surrounding states.
In “10,000 Angler Project,” host Bret Amundson visits with Karl Erickson from Urban Ice Anglers and Ray Ruiz from Baztec Fishing as they lead the charge of getting more kids into cold-weather recreation. They are currently partnering with communities and schools across the Twin Cities to help introduce ice fishing to 10,000 youth. They join a field trip of 5th graders from Woodbury on their ice fishing adventure.
In the next segment, “Highway to Hemp,” AURI researchers in Waseca are developing hemp threads that could be used to make erosion control mats for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The mats are typically made with plastic threads, but with increasing concerns about plastics in the environment, natural fibers are being investigated. Other promising hemp markets include building materials and auto parts. AURI, a nonprofit research institute, was created by the State of Minnesota to investigate new opportunities in value-added agriculture.
The last segment, “The Science Behind Innovation,” showcases the new AURI Bioindustrial Innovation Center in Waseca, focusing on agricultural coproducts such as crop fibers and biogas. AURI, a nonprofit research institute, was created by the State of Minnesota to investigate new opportunities in value-added agriculture. It operates five regional laboratories around the state.
Individuals in Pioneer PBS’s viewing area can livestream this episode at pioneer.org/live. All episodes and segments can also be viewed on the PBS app and online at pioneer.org/prairiesportsman, video.pioneer.org/show/prairie-sportsman, and youtube.com/@PrairieSportsman.
About Prairie Sportsman
Produced by Pioneer PBS, Prairie Sportsman is an Emmy-awarded series that celebrates the love of the outdoors by featuring topics on hunting, fishing, and recreation while promoting environmental stewardship. The team of Prairie Sportsman consists of Host, Producer, Videographer, and Editor Bret Amundson, Writer and Producer Cindy Dorn, Videographer and Editor Dan Amundson, along with Series Editor Bradley Keely. The 2025 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Shalom Hill Farm, Live Wide Open, Western Minnesota Prairie Waters, and members of Pioneer PBS. If you enjoy Prairie Sportsman, become a friend of Prairie Sportsman by filling out a Google Form.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing stories from rural Minnesota with the world. Pioneer PBS is headquartered in Granite Falls, Minnesota, with towers in Appleton, Worthington, and Fergus Falls. Pioneer PBS reaches more than a million people in rural areas and small towns in western Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas, and northern Iowa. Pioneer PBS is honored to be your television station—the only station in western Minnesota telling your stories and raising your voices into the media landscape. Our members help make programs like this possible with their generous support. For more information about Pioneer PBS or how you can help us make these stories a reality, visit pioneer.org/support or call 800-726-3178.
