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Searching for a utopia in Palmer, Saskatchewan

If the chance for a new beginning was dangled in front of you, would you grab it? Some people may hesitate, but in one southern Saskatchewan town, a community of young people are going for it. And, they couldn't be happier.
CBC Radio ·
The main street in Palmer, Saskatchewan. (Craig Desson)
The Doc Project27:30Searching for a utopia in Palmer, Saskatchewan

If the chance for a new beginning was dangled in front of you, would you grab it?

Some people may hesitate because of jobs, a mortgage, family, or the insecurity of leaving a normal life. But in one southern Saskatchewan town, a community of young people are actively rejecting those typical signposts of success.

And, they couldn't be happier.

Palmer, Saskatchewan was once a busy farming community, but in recent years it has seen more tumbleweeds than tractors. And then: young people, university grads with all the opportunities in the world, began to move there. Some of those young people were close friends of freelance radio producer, Craig Desson. And Craig's big question had always been: what the heck is so great about Palmer? Well, he was given an all-too perfect moment to find out.

About the producer

Craig Desson is a producer, journalist and radio maker. Most recently he worked as a digital producer for the Toronto Star. Before The Star, he worked at CBC Radio, TVO, and Journalists for Human Rights in Sierra Leone.