WALK THROUGH THE HEART of downtown Faribault and you’ll see diversity. Diversity in businesses. Diversity in the people who live here. It’s a beautiful thing, at least to me.
We need only look back to the founding of Faribault to understand the diversity which existed from the very beginning. Immigrants from around the world settled here, set up shop, engaged in business and grew this community. The shoemakers. The brewers. The furniture builders. The general store proprietors. The barbers. And on and on. They were as diverse as their skills. They shaped this place.
Faribault is the richer for those individuals and families who left their homelands, crossed the ocean, bringing their hopes and dreams to America. With the exception of Indigenous Peoples, we can mostly all trace our ancestry to a land a long ship ride away.
Today our newest Faribault residents arrive mostly by plane. From Somalia. From Sudan. From Venezuela. From Mexico. And elsewhere. Many have fled worn-torn countries. Unimaginable atrocities. Their losses, their heartache, their pain is beyond what anyone should have to endure. But they have managed. They settle in, set up shop in our community, work in our local factories gutting turkeys and more, shingle our houses, cook and serve us their delicious cuisine… They work hard to rebuild their lives here in southern Minnesota. And I am glad to have them here as an integral part of my community.
In neighboring Northfield, a downtown shop, Mercado Local, vends the art, crafts and more of artisans from Latin America and Hispanic backgrounds. Under the umbrella of Rice County Neighbors United, a nonprofit supporting the immigrant and refugee communities of Northfield, Mercado Local has flourished, serving as a marketplace, arts center (I’ve read poetry here) and community gathering space.
From 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, Mercado Local is hosting a fundraiser for this nonprofit which aims to “empower immigrant entrepreneurs to thrive.” There will be updates, raffles, promotions, Loteria (like BINGO) and, of course, Mexican food. Even if you can’t make the event, I encourage you to pop into the marketplace. Just being inside this small space with all its colorful art and wares makes me happy. That’s one of the things I appreciate about Hispanic and Latino culture—the vivid colors. And I rather like the food, too.
To have a diverse community is to experience the world up close, to widen our circle and understanding of others. Yet, no matter our skin color, our language, our customs, our dress, our roots, we are all just people. Individuals who laugh and cry and love and live. Now, together, we are growing our communities in new, exciting and diverse ways, just like those who crossed the ocean all those years ago to settle in America.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
yay! as you know, like you, I so love the celebration and inclusion of a diverse population in our communities and I’m so excited that you have new residents arriving soon!!! I’ve been so worriwed lately about our immigrant and refugee populations and the more we can do to support and protect them, welcoming and integrating them into our communities, the better!
We have a strong community of immigrants here in Faribault and have for many years. They have not always been welcomed, which breaks my heart. But we’re doing better as a community. We have a city council member who is from Somalia, another originally from the Netherlands. We have events celebrating our diverse community. Our school district is very diverse. We are the better for our immigrant residents. Like you, I worry about our immigrant and refugee populations.
My third-grade granddaughter, who lives just outside the Twin Cities metro, had a birthday party yesterday with classmates. My daughter sent a photo of the group. Seven of the children were children of color (from immigrant families) and four were White. I’m so happy my grandchildren are growing up surrounded by diversity in their neighborhood, in their school and in their community.
❤ yes, this will be so natural for them which is how it should be
Audrey, you are such a deeply good person. I love how much you care for people, all people. We need more people like you in the world.
Sheri, thank you for your sweet words. You uplift me. My mom set a really good example for me of how to treat others.
It’s such a great feeling to know that there are indeed places in the country that embrace others is such an open and heartfelt way. Good on ya, Faribault!
The “embracing” has not always happened in Faribault. But we’re doing better.