GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, May 21, 2026 —A special episode featuring foraging takes center stage on the next episode of Prairie Sportsman, which airs Sunday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS.
Forager Nicole Zempel explores the culinary uses of juniper on the next episode of Prairie Sportsman, welcoming friends and neighbors into the kitchen to prepare fish, wild game, tinctures and teas using foraged ingredients.
Zempel begins the episode by harvesting the “fruit” of the Eastern Red Cedar. Commonly referred to as berries, the seed cones of the juniper tree are used in a variety of culinary applications.
Kerry Wanke then joins Zempel in the kitchen to demonstrate how juniper is used in traditional Scandinavian pickled fish recipes. While herring is commonly featured in Nordic cuisine, the pair prepares pickled northern pike, a fish native to Minnesota waters.
The episode also features roasted venison in a red wine sauce prepared with culinary enthusiast Jessica Stolen, who demonstrates how foraged juniper can enhance the flavor of wild game dishes.
Later in the program, Krishana Dempcy shares the process of making tinctures, concentrated extracts that can be used for medicinal purposes or to add flavor to food and beverages.
The episode concludes with Nora Dempcy joining Zempel to prepare tea made from creeping charlie, highlighting how plants often considered weeds can also be used in the kitchen.
“What really makes this episode special for me is having the opportunity to involve my friends,” said Zempel. “They each have a unique passion/talent and applied that to utilization of the juniper "berries." It was a joy to involve the entire community.”
Prairie Sportsman rebroadcasts Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. following the initial airing on Pioneer PBS.
How to Watch
Viewers within the viewing area can watch the live program on 10-1, 20-1, 8-1, Dish, DirecTV and Mediacom.
In addition to station broadcasts, viewers in Pioneer PBS’s viewing area can also stream the premiere live at pioneer.org/live, on YouTube TV, Prime Video, Hulu Live or via the “Live TV” button on the PBS app and pbs.org.
Full episodes can also be streamed at pioneer.org/prairiesportsman, the PBS app, the Prairie Sportsman YouTube channel and pbs.org/show/prairie-sportsman/.
Support
Due to recent funding cuts to Pioneer PBS and other PBS stations across the nation, shows, particularly local programming like Prairie Sportsman, that you love are in jeopardy. Consider becoming a member of Pioneer PBS or Friend of Prairie Sportsman to support the programs you love. For more information, including how to support Pioneer PBS, visit pioneer.org.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman is an award-winning series produced by Pioneer PBS 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 series producer Tom Desch, with producer, videographer and editor Bret Amundson returning as host. Additional videography and editing is provided by Dan Amundson, Jaryd Smith and Jacob Nubern. The 2026 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Shalom Hill Farm, Big Stone County, Yellow Medicine County, Lac Qui Parle County, Swift County, Meeker County 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. For more than 60 years, Pioneer PBS has amplified local voices and reflected the people, places and issues that matter most to our region.
Headquartered in Granite Falls, Minnesota, with towers in Appleton, Worthington and Fergus Falls, Pioneer PBS reaches more than one million viewers across western Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas and northern Iowa. We are honored to be your television station—the only station in western Minnesota telling your stories. As we celebrate 60 years of storytelling, we invite you to help ensure these stories continue for the next 60 years and beyond.
Learn more at pioneer.org or call 800-726-3178.
