Hans Voss is Executive Director of the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities who works tirelessly to protect the environment, strengthen our economy and build thriving communities. In this special conversation with State of Water host, Seth Bernard, (3:25) Hans goes back to 1995 telling some of the early stories from the Michigan Land Use Institute before it was renamed to Groundwork and sharing about some of the early success stories of (7:40) coalition building and (14:30) grassroots organizing that laid the foundation for decades of impactful work that have touched the lives of millions of Michiganders. (19:45) Hans reflects on the importance of citizen advocacy and constituent pressure to hold politicians accountable (27:10) and the impact of compelling storytelling and penetrating journalism to craft a message that matters in people’s lives. (28:40) Hans shares about the huge success of Groundwork’s ’10 cents a meal’ farm to school program and (32:40) how he’s been inspired through the years by the surprising people who show up to do the work. (37:18) Hans closes the episode by sharing some of his passion for birding and for (38:57) music.

Special shout out to Hans and the Groundwork family for their early support of the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan as we got off the ground. Groundwork continues to be an inspiring and nurturing force within the nonprofit community in Michigan and beyond.

Check out their recently released 2023 annual report and learn more about their diverse programming within climate and environment, local food and farming, as well as transportation and community design. https://groundworkcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/5870_2024AnnualReport_01-30-24_10-28am-compressed.pdf


/// EPISODE 42

/ Hans Voss interviewed by Seth Bernard
/ Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good
/ Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens
/ Graphic by Chris Good
/ Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus
/ Featured Music - “Homestretch” by Ecotone; “Authors (instrumental demo)" by Dan Rickabus; and “North Country Rag” by Seth Bernard

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