Pioneer PBS

Pioneer PBS

http://www.pioneer.org
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pioneerpbs/

Pioneer PBS, a privately owned entity headquartered in the US, functions as a viewer-supported, nonprofit public television station specializing in broadcast media production and distribution. Founded in 1966 as KWCM-TV in Appleton, the organization has grown into a regional network, currently operating with approximately 30 employees, dedicated to serving over one million people across rural Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas, and northern Iowa from its base in Granite Falls, Minnesota. The company emphasizes localism by producing original content that reflects the art, history, and agricultural heritage of its rural audience. Its local productions include Postcards, which explores the cultural identity of western Minnesota; Prairie Yard & Garden, offering regional horticultural advice; and Prairie Sportsman, a statewide series focused on environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation. Beyond local programming, Pioneer PBS broadcasts six digital channels: Pioneer HD, PBS KIDS, Create, World, MN Channel, and First Nations Experience (FNX). The station also provides educational resources for parents and teachers through platforms such as PBS LearningMedia, manages engagement initiatives like the Pioneer PBS Kids Birthday Club, and maintains the Pioneer PBS Passport on-demand library to ensure non-commercial media access for the communities it serves.

Revenue

Founded

1966

Headcount

28

Headquarters

US

Primary Segment

Broadcast Media Production and Distribution

Ownership

Privately Owned

News Summary:

On April 1, Pioneer PBS announced that the "Prairie Sportsman" program will feature an episode on Sunday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m., focusing on community-driven efforts to protect water quality, including "Adopt a Drain" initiatives and aquatic invasive species detectors, hosted by Bret Amundson. This follows several announcements on March 25 regarding other upcoming programs. The "Prairie Sportsman" series will also air an episode on Sunday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m., where host Bret Amundson explores fishing for lake sturgeon in the St. Croix River and examines efforts to restore native aquatic plants in Minnesota lakes. Additionally, on Thursday, April 2, "Postcards" season 17 will present new regional stories at 7 p.m., including the expansion of Foxhole Brewhouse in Willmar, and the 46th season of "Your Legislators" will return with a new episode at 8 p.m., hosted by Barry Anderson and produced by Matt Johnson, with one confirmed guest. Earlier, on March 24, the station announced "Prairie Yard & Garden" season 39 will air its "Flower Power" episode on Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m., featuring host Mary Holm's visit to Bergeson Nursery in Fertile.

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Apr

8th

2026

18:30

Prairie Sportsman Season 17: Memorial Park and Powerboat Impacts - Sunday, April 19

GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, April 9, 2026 — Host Bret Amundson visits Shakopee’s Memorial Park Mill Pond, a hot spot for waterfowl viewing, and researchers at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory examine the impacts of powerboats on the lakes of the Upper Midwest on the next episode of Prairie Sportsman , which airs Sunday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS.

Apr

8th

2026

18:30

Prairie Yard & Garden Season 39: Bee’s Books and Blooms – Grand Forks - Thursday, April 16

GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, April 9, 2026 — “Bee’s Books and Blooms,” the next episode of Prairie Yard & Garden, airs Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS. Host Mary Holm visits a Grand Forks garden that serves as both a personal retreat and a neighborhood gathering space, featuring vibrant flowers, fresh vegetables and a Little Free Library.

Apr

1st

2026

18:30

Prairie Sportsman Season 17 - Adopt a Drain and Aquatic Invasive Species Detectors - April 12

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, April 2, 2026 — Host Bret Amundson explores community-driven efforts to protect water quality on the next episode of Prairie Sportsman, which airs Sunday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS.

Mar

25th

2026

18:30

Postcards Season 17 - Foxhole Brewhouse, Smilin’ D Arena, Streets of Honor - Thursday, April 2

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 26, 2026 — New stories from across the region continue on season 17 of Postcards, which airs Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. on Pioneer PBS. In Willmar, Foxhole Brewhouse has expanded from its original downtown location to a larger space overlooking Willmar Lake.

Mar

25th

2026

18:30

Prairie Sportsman Season 17 - St. Croix Sturgeon and Aquatic Plant Restoration - Sunday, April 5

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 26, 2026 — Host Bret Amundson heads to the St. Croix River to fish for lake sturgeon and takes a closer look at efforts to restore native aquatic plants in Minnesota lakes on the next episode of Prairie Sportsman, airing Sunday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS.

Mar

25th

2026

18:30

The 46th Season of Your Legislators Returns With a New Episode – Thursday, April 2 at 8 P.M.

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 26, 2026 — The 46th season of Your Legislators will return on Thursday, April 2 at 8 p.m. on Pioneer PBS, hosted by Barry Anderson with producer Matt Johnson. Currently, there is one confirmed guest, but the show is still looking for additional panel members.

Mar

24th

2026

18:30

Prairie Yard & Garden Season 39: Flower Power – Fertile - Thursday, April 2

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 26, 2026 — “Flower Power,” the next episode of “Prairie Yard & Garden,” airs Thursday, April 02 at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS as host Mary Holm travels to Fertile to visit Bergeson Nursery.

Mar

18th

2026

18:30

Postcards Season 17 - Shepherd’s Bay Farm - Thursday, March 26

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 19, 2026 — New stories from across the region continue on season 17 of Postcards Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. on Pioneer PBS. Travel to a farm near Alexandria, Minnesota, where Kathy and Terry Sletto stay connected to a long family heritage of wool production through their collection of sheep, rabbits and guard llamas.

Mar

18th

2026

18:30

Prairie Yard & Garden Season 39: Growing Apricots, Apples and More – Canby - Thursday, March 26

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 19, 2026 — On the next Prairie Yard & Garden, host Mary Holm travels to Canby, Minnesota, to visit with Al Precht, a passionate fruit grower who has spent decades perfecting the art of the Minnesota apricot.

Mar

18th

2026

18:30

Prairie Sportsman Season 17 - Heart for the Hunt and Conservation’s North Star - Sunday, March 29

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 19, 2026 — Host Bret Amundson accompanies heart transplant recipient Mark Lehman on his first pheasant hunt since surgery, and the Nongame Wildlife Program of the Minnesota DNR approaches 50 years of preserving the state’s wildlife in the fifth episode of season 17 of Prairie Sportsman.

Mar

11th

2026

18:30

An Inspirational Hunt and Prairie Pothole Day - Sunday, March 22

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 12, 2026 — Host Bret Amundson hunts ducks with wounded Iraq War veteran, former Minnesota state legislator, and motivational speaker John Kriesel and Prairie Pothole Day, an event connecting people with the outdoors, celebrates its 42nd year on the fourth episode of season 17 of Prairie Sportsman.

Mar

11th

2026

18:30

Postcards Season 17 - Brice Dempcy and LuLu Beans Coffee Shop - Thursday, March 19

Download image GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, March 12, 2026 — New stories from across the region continue on Postcards Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. on Pioneer PBS. Season 17’s third episode features singer-songwriter Brice Dempcy, whose music addresses mental health and suicide prevention, and LuLu Beans Coffee Shop—a welcoming community gathering place.

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