GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, April 24, 2025—Host Bret Amundson visits RLVNT, a Minnesota-based company that produces durable, eco-friendly outdoor eyewear and apparel. Then, western Minnesota researchers develop mobile solar panels for cow pastures, and finally, researchers test ways to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, all on the next Prairie Sportsman. “Camouflage Face Paints and Mobile Solar” will air on Pioneer PBS Sunday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. Episodes repeat Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays 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 the first segment, “Small Town Tech,” host Bret Amundson visits the small town of Finlayson, MN, to explore RLVNT, a Minnesota-based outdoor eyewear and apparel company that started in 2018. Initially, they designed new outdoor eyewear that can withstand the elements. They have since expanded their lineup of durable, eco-friendly products to include face paint that blocks ultraviolet light to give hunters a way to hide their face without the messy black streaks. The company’s name, RLVNT, is an acronym for Real Life Vexes for New Technology. Owner Norm Kester sees the world like this: “See a problem, solve it.”
Then, “Mobile Solar Panel” features the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN, where researchers explore Agrivoltaics to reduce farmers' financial risks. A relatively new idea, Agrivoltaics has both agriculture and solar, utilizing the same land. WCROC has developed a solar shade power station that provides mobile shade to cattle while also collecting power. The cows seem to be very happy.
Lastly, “Protecting Minnesota Waters from Invaders” showcases efforts to stop the spread of invasive species, funded by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Fund, which has awarded more than a billion dollars to environmental protections and enhancements. Minnesota research centers and the DNR are developing strategies, such as using genetic controls to eradicate zebra mussels and tagging silver and bighead carp, which have led to large captures of the invasive fish.
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.