A little over 4 years ago, a practicing veterinarian suggested to us that producers in a particular region in southern Minnesota might be interested in attempting to act together to control PRRS virus. In Phase I, eastern Rice County in Minnesota, USA was chosen as the region to perform the study given its natural borders and presumed low prevalence of PRRS. First the farms’ addresses were found using the MN Board of Animal Health database of pig farms in the state of Minnesota dated on 2000. Based on the information provided in that database each location was confirmed in a system of longitude-latitude coordinates in decimal degrees using a GPS device. The study involves 49 sites belonging to 35 producers. The objective in the first phase of this study was to determine if producers would allow their herds to be tested for PRRS and whether they would share this data with other producers. Secondly, to determine the prevalence of PRRSV in Rice County, USA and to assess the geographical distribution of PRRSV strains in the region. The participation of the producers reached 90%, which exceeded our goal, and they openly shared the status of their farms, positive experiences and frustrations with control of the virus. PRRS was detected at many sites; however, we have relatively little evidence of spread between farms since the project began. Phase II began in 2004, the project expanded to a second county in west-central Minnesota – Stevens County. This county has a markedly different type of producer with many producing breeding stock. The sow herds tend to be larger and more recently built. There are similar objectives for the project here, but a major difference is that no funding was provided to support testing. There were similar observations in Stevens County as in Rice County. However, the regional projects presented continued challenges, some of which were expected and some of which caused one to reflect on the value of the efforts. These challenges included identifying the local opinion leaders and determining if they support the concept; overcoming apprehensions and/or resentments that might reside at or below the surface in one or more of the regional participants; determining the locations for all the sites that have pigs; finding someone to pay for the program; the actual documenting of the impact of PRRS; and finally, getting the producers to invest in an attempt to stop the PRRS spread in their herds. National eradication of PRRS virus has been proposed for North America. Pseudorabies virus was hard enough to eradicate with regulatory program and even then it did not eliminate the virus from feral swine. It is believed that regional eradication of PRRS is achievable with the currently available diagnostic tools, vaccines and knowledge on biosecurity and elimination methods. Regional projects present continued challenges and if a group of producers are contemplating a control program, the region should have the following characteristics: excellent veterinary knowledge and leadership, few positive or variable PRRS status pigs entering the region for nursery or finishing; majority of producers willing to monitor the status and eliminate virus; and good collaboration with people who have exhibition pigs. In summary, the challenges are substantial and progress will be coupled with setbacks. But, our experience in these two regions for 4 years leads us to believe that it is achievable in the “right” regions.