YOU BETCHA! FARMER-LABOR SOLIDARITY IS POSSIBLE

a moveable monument to history and hope

East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106

Exhibit runs February 20–May 4, 2025

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 20th, 2025, 7pm, doors: 6:30pm

Join us Thursday, February 20th, 2025 for the Opening Reception of “You Betcha! Farmer-Labor Solidarity is Possible!”

Did you know that Minnesota is home to the most successful third-party movement in U.S. history? 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the Farmer-Labor Party and the remarkable movement of solidarity that supported it. In honor of this centennial celebration and in partnership with Monument Lab’s Re-Generation initiative, the Farmer-Labor Education Committee (FLEC) commissioned Gita Ghei to create a permanent traveling sculpture, commemorating the Farmer-Labor movement in Minnesota. She and her team engaged with people throughout the state to inform permanent art that commemorates this important history in a whimsical artwork!

Experience this Moveable Monument, a tangible, touchable, playable monument!

Celebrate with us!

Gita Ghei is a metal sculptor, specializing in public art and teaching.

Register here 

Thursday, October 17, 7-9pm @ East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier St, St Paul, MN 55106

Screening and discussion of the 'The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story' at The East Side Freedom Library in St. Paul, MN.

WE NEED YOU & YOUR STORIES! After the film, and in honor of the Farmer-Labor Movement’s 100th anniversary, we are creating an artistic commemoration of its history and we need Your input. We will be joined by Artist Gita Ghei and her team of collaborators Valentine Cadieux, Rachel Levin and Signe Lisadotter who will draw from your ideas and perspectives.

Come ready to share your stories, experiences, and visions.

This screening is hosted by the Farmer Labor Education Committee, Labor Education Service at the University of Minnesota, and other community partners.

Friday, October 4, 6-8pm @ Goodhue County Historical Society
1166 Oak St, Red Wing, MN 55066

Screening and discussion of the 'The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story' at Goodhue County Historical Society in Red Wing, MN.

WE NEED YOU & YOUR STORIES! After the film, and in honor of the Farmer-Labor Movement’s 100th anniversary, we are creating an artistic commemoration of its history and we need Your input. We will be joined by Artist Gita Ghei and her team of collaborators Valentine Cadieux, Rachel Levin and Signe Lisadotter who will draw from your ideas and perspectives.

Come ready to share your stories, experiences, and visions.

This screening is hosted by the Farmer Labor Education Committee, Labor Education Service at the University of Minnesota, and other community partners.

‘The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story; Screening in Granite Falls, MN

Friday, September 27, 6-8pm @ The YES! House
726 Prentice Street, Granite Falls, MN 56241

Screening and discussion of the 'The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story' at YES! House in Granite Falls, MN.

WE NEED YOU & YOUR STORIES! After the film, and in honor of the Farmer-Labor Movement’s 100th anniversary, we are creating an artistic commemoration of its history and we need Your input. We will be joined by Artist Gita Ghei and her team of collaborators Valentine Cadieux, Rachel Levin and Signe Lisadotter who will draw from your ideas and perspectives.

Come ready to share your stories, experiences, and visions.

This screening is hosted by the Farmer Labor Education Committee, Labor Education Service at the University of Minnesota, and other community partners.

The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story will be shown at the Anoka County DFL meeting at 7pm on Monday December 18th at the Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Circle, Circle Pines, MN 55014.

THE FARMER-LABOR MOVEMENT: A MINNESOTA STORY WILL BE BROADCAST TO COMMEMORATE LABOR DAY.

All six of the state’s PBS stations will broadcast the documentary on Labor Day, September 4 at 2 PM on the Minnesota Channel (TPT 2.2 in the Twin Cities area).

THE FARMER-LABOR MOVEMENT: A MINNESOTA STORY WILL BE BROADCAST TO COMMEMORATE LABOR DAY.

The show will air in The Twin Cities Metro area on TPT LIFE (Channel 2-3) at 8 PM on Thursday, August 31.

The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story will be broadcast on Thursday, August 10th at 1 pm at the Southeast Minnesota Area Labor Seniors Meeting, 240 Harrison Street, Red Wing, MN (Building is Pier 55)

The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story will be broadcast on TPTLife at 8 pm on Thursday, August 31st.

THE FARMER-LABOR MOVEMENT: A MINNESOTA STORY WILL BE BROADCAST BY ALL OF THE STATE’S PBS STATIONS.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25, AT 1 AM, 7 AM, AND 1PM ON THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL, INCLUDING TPT 2.2 IN THE METRO AREA.

THE FARMER-LABOR MOVEMENT: A MINNESOTA STORY WILL BE BROADCAST BY ALL OF THE STATE’S PBS STATIONS.

Pioneer PBS will broadcast the premiere of The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story on March 29 at 9 pm. (Pioneer broadcasts to the southwest and west central Minnesota and portions of Iowa, North, and South Dakota.)

The documentary tells the story of how this coalition of farmers and workers founded the most successful third party in U.S. history. Farmer-Laborites advanced political and economic change in the state from 1917 until 1944 when their party merged with the Democrats to form the DFL. The show portrays this history through the voices of Farmer-Labor leaders and their descendants, as well as contemporary historians, farmers, and co-op members. Western Minnesotans highlighted in the show include Appleton attorney and governor Elmer Benson and Farm Holiday Association president John Bosch from a homestead near Willmar. Animated segments bring the personal stories of such Farmer-Labor men and women to life, while songs from the period convey the spirit of the movement. Footage shot in Atwater, Granite Falls, Hanley Falls, Montevideo, Willmar, and farms throughout the region gives a sense of the places where people banded together to change history. They founded co-ops, stopped foreclosures, and fought for fair crop and livestock payments. The Farmer-Laborites’ struggles for a political voice and economic fairness remain powerfully relevant today. Check Pioneer PBS schedule listings for local channel numbers and air time.  For more information on the show and Farmer-Labor history, go to farmerlaboreducation.com