General Local Resources


For large-picture context of the Northfield community, consult General Local Resources. For resources pertaining to specific issues within the Northfield and surrounding area consult the Issue-Based Resources which are divided by categories. Also, Be sure to visit Carleton’s Northfield and Rice County Data Portal for issue-based research.

City and Government Resources

City of Northfield
Access to City Newsletter, community projects, City of Northfield elected official information and more

City of Faribault
News, city council information, current projects, and more

Northfield Chamber of Commerce
Includes local business listings, statistics, community profiles and tax information

Northfield Library
Offers search engines useful for local research

Rice County
What’s new, events, Board of Commissioners, transportation, land use, and environment, health, housing, social services, criminal justice, employment and volunteering and more!

Northfield Comprehensive Plan Document
The City of Northfield's Comprehensive Plan is a guiding document that outlines long-range plans for managing the growth of the community. The plan provides a framework for establishing policies, standards and principles pertaining to the city’s planning, zoning and public services activities.

Policy Websites

Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
A subject guide to public policy resources on the Internet.

Minnesota Department of Administration (formerly Minnesota Planning):
This state agency provides timely information about critical issues to policy-makers and the public. Click on "Demography" and scroll through some of the data available, including demographic information on Minnesota's legislative districts.

MNPRO: State of Minnesota Community Profile Reports
This site provides reports of Minnesota communities' demographics, workforce, employers, utilities, transportation, education, community services, and more

Northstar: Minnesota Government and Information Services
This is the official Web site for the State of Minnesota. Click on "Government" for links to state, local, tribal, and federal government information. Useful links include "Find Your Legislative District" and "Legislation and Bill Status."

Compiled by Kris Macpherson of St. Olaf College libraries. Evaluating Social Work Spring 2009: A Guide to Library Resources. Feb 15 2009.

Local Blogs and Websites

Locally Grown (citizen blog)
Searchable posts on a wide variety of Northfield issues (government and policy, development, business, arts and culture, environment, education, etc.)

American Towns
Includes a list of Northfield organizations, a blog, events and other information about Northfield.

5th Bridge
5th bridge is a volunteer, donor-focused organization that’s mission is to enhance individual and community life in Northfield by encouraging the habits of volunteerism and philanthropy. Volunteer Opportunities and events are listed.

BlogCatalog
Search for blog posts and sites that relate to social issues in Northfield.

Rice County Growing Up Healthy Research Resources
This page is especially intended to serve as a reference for service providers to low-income and immigrant families in Rice County. It includes research, student projects, and news articles relevant to Growing Up Healthy’s mission. (education, healthcare, housing, economic security, etc.)

Northfield.org
The mission of Northfield Citizens Online, the makers of Northfield.org, is to create an electronic commons that strengthens the fabric of community in the greater Northfield area. Northfield.org features news, events, forums, photo galleries, and more

Local Newspapers

Northfield News
Northfield’s Daily Newspaper archives

Faribault Daily News
Faribault’s Daily Newspaper archives

Useful Sites for Statistics

Northfield City Data
Information on housing, income, gender distribution and other current and historical information.

Datanet  
Datanet is an online system consisting of summarized statistical information containing "statistics about social, economic, and demographic conditions in Minnesota." www.mnplan.state.mn.us/stats.html

County and City Data Book
Includes county business patterns, Minnesota Population Estimates for Counties and Metropolitan Areas. Also available in paper format in the Gov Docs Reference Area.

Compiled by Natalie Wall of St. Olaf College libraries. Nursing 388 Fall 2006: Community Health. 9/14/06.


Issue-Based Resources

Education/Youth

Student Demographics
“Diversity in the Classroom,” New York Times
View demographic changes in more than 17,000 school districts across the nation — including your own.

CLIKS: Community-Level Information on Kids (demographics, poverty rate, nutrition, crime rate, etc. for every county and state)

School District
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Download report exploring the impact of budget cuts in schools.

Pursuing federal funds is wise move Northfield News, 12/26/08
Northfield School District takes advantage of federal stimulus plan.

Maple seeking change to state aid Northfield News, 10/17/08
Northfield resident requests equitable funding for ESL and Special Education programs

Special Education
Behind the numbers: Special Education David Henke, Northfield News, 1/27/09

After-school programming
10-min video showcasing youth initiatives in Northfield
part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj1SHjbDpTY
part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKVbUWFeemA

Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) Website
Features some programs that support students after-school hours. The goal of HCI is to promote a healthy community by supporting youth.

Tackling Obstacles Raising College Hopes (T.O.R.C.H.)

Students that Learn English as a Second Language
Changes to Northfield's ESL program raises questions David Henke, Northfield News, 6/18/08

District hires two more ESL teachers as sanctions loom Jaci Smith, Northfield News, 4/30/08

Growing Up Healthy’s Research Webpage
Provides other resources for children and education in Northfield

Immigration

Lutheran Immigration Relief Services

Faribault/Northfield Census: 2004-2006
Snapshot of demographic trends in Rice County, Prepared by Bob Kell, Faribault Welcome Center (right-hand column)

Diversity Coalitions in Rural Minnesota Communities Tamara Downs Schwei and Katherine Fennelly, Cura Reporter, Winter 2007

Hosting a Forum on Immigration in Northfield Katie Blanchard, Meagan Pick, and David Zumba, The Carletonian, Winter 2009

Newcomer Project helps Northfield immigrants Northfield News, 6/11/03

Finding Common Ground Northfield News 6/21/03
A story of an immigrant and a Northfield local who build their new life together on their Catholic faith.

Resident overcame legal hurdles to gain citizenship Northfield News, 2/27/07
Story of Vietnamese Immigrant.

Immigration raids spark work on city emergency plan Northfield.org 1/07

Rural Issues

Center for Rural Policy and Development
Research reports on technology, education, economic development and demographics

History

Rice County, MN Living Places by the Gombach Group

Center for Sustainable Living
Community organization that supports sustainability projects in Northfield

Northfield Energy Task Force Report
The Task Force goals include assessing opportunities to develop energy efficiency and clean energy projects, assess the value of creating a municipal electric utility or special energy district, and recommend a citywide target and prepare a plan for reduction of greenhouse gas emmissions to meet the City's commitment to the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (CCPC).

Civic Engagement in Government

House of Representatives
Find your elected official, their platform, and contact information

Homelessness and Affordable Housing

Homelessness: Not just an urban issue Suzanne Rook, Northfield News, 11/14/07

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Pauline Schreiber, Northfield News, Nov. 14-21, 11/17/04

What is affordable housing? May 2008

Memorial service remembers homeless that have died Paula Scribner, Faribault News, 11/28/08

Three Rivers Community Action, Inc.
Minutes from Rice County’s Homeless Response Team meetings also see:]

Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
Use for facts and figures. Also checkout the fact sheet including “What you can do”

Northfield’s Community Action Center
The Community Action Center of Northfield is a private, non-profit organization serving the greater Northfield area whose mission is to promote a healthy, caring and just community for all people through resources, advocacy and volunteer effort.

Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Includes 2009 meeting minutes also see Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority’s 2007 Annual Report

St. Olaf Involvement in combating homelessness Locally Grown Website

Growing Up Healthy
Also has links for housing resources

Carleton’s Academic Civic Engagement Public Sociology Course Projects
Students of the Public Sociology course completed studies during the winter of 2009. Potential academic civic engagement projects are outlined for each sector (Arts, business, and housing) in addition to a comprehensive presentation of the findings.

Healthcare Access/Uninsured

HealthFinders Collaborative
A non-profit organization that serves uninsured in Rice County

Hospital signs to help uninsured Michelle Kubitz, Northfield News, 7/2/05

Study: Rice County among the best for insured citizens Matthew Coulsey, Faribault Daily News, 12/21/02

Growing Up Healthy’s Research Webpage
Has more resources regarding uninsured

Arts and Business
Students of the Public Sociology course completed studies during the winter of 2009. Potential academic civic engagement projects are outlined for each sector (Arts, business, and housing) in addition to a comprehensive presentation of the findings.