Download a photo of Roger Strand with his deer stand.
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — “Prairie Stewards” is coming up on Prairie Sportsman’s season premiere on Sunday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS. Host Bret Amundson is out with western Minnesota conservationists Roger Strand on his hunting property and with Brad and Kristi Fernholz on their remnant prairie near the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area.
Roger Strand purchased property in Chippewa County for hunting and turned former farm fields into a wildlife kingdom. In 2001, he started collecting hickory, oak and green ash seeds and planted about 70,000 trees on his deer-friendly property that includes 19 food plots and 16 mineral licks. Besides his conservation work, Roger tells the story of being stricken with polio as a child that left him with partial paralysis. He found ways to adapt so he could remain active in the outdoors.
In 2000, Brad and Kristi Fernholz purchased 52 acres along the Minnesota River near Milan. The property includes a 40-acre prairie that was never cultivated and is a remnant of the tallgrass prairies that once covered southwest Minnesota. Because native grasses had overgrown the plot, without bison or fires to control them as nature once did, the Fernholzes conducted a prescribed burn, which released dormant wildflower seeds. The story follows the active life of a prairie through a theatre of seasons.
The episode also features Kristi’s work as a fine art photographer, capturing images of prairie habitat and rural life. She displays and markets her art at the annual Meander: Upper Minnesota River Art Crawl. Kristi has coordinated the Meander since 2008 as part of her job as the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission planning director.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman celebrates our love of the outdoors to hunt, fish and recreate, and promotes environmental stewardship. Prairie Sportsman’s team includes Cindy Dorn, producer/writer; Bret Amundson, host/editor; and Dylan Curfman, editor/videographer. The 2022 season is made possible by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, SafeBasements of Minnesota, Live Wide Open, Western Minnesota Prairie Waters and members of Pioneer PBS.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit www.pioneer.org.