Prairie Restoration, Roundup Research & Cooking Demo Featured at LSP Farm Event July 10 Near St. Charles
CONTACT: Caroline van Schaik, LSP, 507-523-3366, caroline@landstewardshipproject.org
PHOTO: A digital photo from last year’s event near Winona, Minn., is available by contacting van Schaik
6/23/11
ST. CHARLES, Minn. — Prairie restoration, the newest Roundup herbicide research and a Mexican cooking demonstration are some of this year’s highlights of the Land Stewardship Project’s 2011 summer gathering on the Linda Dahl farm July 10 near St. Charles. The potluck/hog roast starts with an early bird farm tour at 11 a.m., and runs to 4 p.m. on the farm. The cost for the “Celebration of Food, Family and Farming” event is $10 per person or $30 per family for Land Stewardship Project (LSP) members. Non-members pay $20 per person or $50 per family. Kids ages 6-12 are $5; 5 and under are free. All proceeds benefit LSP’s work in the region. To reserve a spot, call LSP’s Lewiston, Minn., office at 507-523-3366, or e-mail lspse@landstewardshipproject.org.
The farm is located six miles northeast of St. Charles; watch for LSP signs on Hwy 14 between Utica and St. Charles.
Following the noon meal and a brief program, a second farm tour and four separate workshops will take place before an ice cream social and the close of the silent auction at 3:45 p.m.
Recent research into the negative residual effects of the Monsanto herbicide Roundup will be explained by LSP farmer-member Dan Specht as they pertain to soil, livestock and human health. Host farmer Dahl and prairie specialist Andy Kranz McGuire of Prairie Moon Nursery will take people through the steps of re-establishing prairie using the Dahl farm as an illustration. The Mexican cooking demonstration will be led by Carolina Gasca and friends using locally produced ingredients. A program on immigrant workplace rights will be led by Mark Delahanty, an LSP member and local attorney.
Supervised children’s’ activities will be held during the afternoon workshops and farm tour.
Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share, something for the silent auction, and in the spirit of community and resource sustainability, plates and utensils as well. In tribute to farmers from many lands who built and now contribute to the region’s food supply, families are encouraged to bring dishes reflecting their cultural heritage to share at the “All-American All Ethnic Potluck” meal, starting at noon. Milk, cheese and orange juice are being provided by Organic Valley Family of Farms. Ice cream from Castle Rock Organic Dairy will be served later in the afternoon. While tables and chairs will be set up under a tent, there is plenty of shady lawn for picnic blankets and lawn chairs.
Event partners include Castle Rock Organic Dairy, Organic Valley and Project FINE. LSP (www.landstewardshipproject.org) was launched in 1982 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the ethic and practice of stewardship on America’s farms. The advancement of social justice for people who produce food and care for the land is a guiding principle for LSP’s membership base of farmers and non-farmers alike.
