From December 2000 to May 2003, the Center for Rural and Regional Studies at Southwest Minnesota State University sponsored the Regional Journalism Project. With a two-year grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation, the center hired reporter Nancy Torner to write weekly articles about southwest Minnesota and to make these stories available, at no charge, to regional newspapers.

Torner's job with the Center was to provide stories that, with today's economy, newspapers lack the time and manpower to research and write on their own. This website is online to provide stories, information and links for reporters interested in rural and regional issues. Although the project was concluded in May 2003, the stories will remain available on this website.

Like any wire service, Torner's stories are available to newspapers--to edit or add to as they desire--, other publications and for broadcast, as long as the Center for Rural and Regional Studies, Southwest Minnesota State University, is credited.