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With Homeland, Agate celebrates the wild beauty and diversity of life found in Minnesota and the surrounding Great Lakes region. Here’s to the love of nature that unites us.
About the featured artists
Photographer Dominique Braud specializes in wildlife and landscapes of Minnesota. A native of France, he moved to the United States in 1980. One of his many adventures has been teaching high school, which he did for 31 years. He has authored over seventy articles about nature and photography in regional, national and international magazines. He was a contract photographer for the USFWS at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge for over a decade, and has been a frequent freelance photographer for the MN DNR. His photographs have appeared in many books, calendars and nature/photography magazines. His book, Minnesota Wildlife Impressions, was published by Farcountry Press in 2008. Find more of his work on his website, and check out his beautiful photo feature published in the current (Nov/Dec) issue of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer.
Brilliant mandolinist, fiddler, composer, arranger, and teacher, Peter Ostroushko grew up listening to tunes played at family get-togethers in the Ukrainian community of northeast Minneapolis. His first recording session was an uncredited mandolin set on Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks, and he went on to release a string of critically acclaimed albums of his own. He spent more than 40 years as a frequent performer on A Prairie Home Companion, and appeared on Austin City Limits, Late Night with David Letterman, and even Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. His works have been performed by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Kremlin Chamber Orchestra, among others, and his music has been featured on public television specials such as Ken Burns’ film The National Parks, and Minnesota: A History of the Land, for which he won an Emmy. Sadly, Peter passed away in February of 2021. Explore his extensive discography and 10-episode podcast on his website. Sincere thanks to his wife, Marge Ostroushko, for permission to use his song, “Heart of the Heartland,” the title track from his 1995 album released on Red House Records.
Homeland was produced for Agate by Laurie Allmann. Images and music used with permission; all rights reserved. Heart of the Heartland — Music by Peter Ostroushko, Sluz-Duz Publishing Co. (BMI).
