Sarah and Bob Lea are veteran gardeners who share what they've learned in their experiences growing the bulk of the food they eat. They aim to "work smarter, not harder."

Sarah Lindblom talks about soil health and some simple soil health tests you can do at home. Becky Bravinder talks about the basics of composting and some different methods, and Teresa Harmala shares about her experience with composting worms.

Bob and Sarah Lea will be back to share their experiences and gardening tips, and tricks regarding raised bed and vertical gardening. Bob, Sarah, and Dan Bravinder will also present on their particular raised garden bed designs. Enjoy greater accessibility, better soil control, less soil compaction, fewer weeds, and increased food production with raised beds and trellises.

According to National Geographic, the Western Monarch population has declined 99% since the 1980's. The Eastern Monarch has seen a similar fate with a decline of 80%. Many other pollinators, important for our food system and the food web in general, have seen major declines due to shrinking habitat and food sources. We can help reverse that trend by planting pollinator-friendly plants and habitat. Nature provides for us, and this is a way to give back to nature. Native plantings are also more resilient, which is becoming increasingly important with recent changes in our weather patterns. Our presenter, Tim Barberg, has 28 years of experience managing property for wildlife and has planted 1000s of trees and many acres of native prairie. He will talk about native plants you can add to your landscaping and yard, as well as for small and large pollinator plots. He'll also cover managing those plantings and invasive species control.

Beth and Rick Deinken, owners of Grandma and Grandpa’s Berries & More in Cokato, will cover the basics of canning, including different methods such as water bath and pressure canning. Canning is a great way to preserve your veggies, fruits, meat, meals, and more. Beth and Rick will share their knowledge and insights they’ve gained in their 35+ years of canning experience.

Jacob Selseth, West Central Coordinator for Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), is "hooked on helping people make wise decisions on how they use energy and choose the best technologies to achieve their goals." Join us for this FREE presentation and Q&A on measures you can take to save energy and money in your home while also benefitting the environment. The mission of CERTs is to connect individuals and communities in Minnesota to the resources they need to identify and implement community-based clean energy projects. For more info, see https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/

Ever think you’d like to produce some or all of your own electricity? Locals Dennis Compton and Dan Bravinder will offer a presentation of an example of a 6.5 kW system that was installed for a local home in May 2016. Topics will include system costs, performance, electrical bill savings, maintenance, planning and zoning issues, and more.

Becky Bravinder, co-founder of natural foods store Dan & Becky's Market, will offer a beginner class on raising backyard chickens for egg production, sharing what she's learned in years of providing organic eggs for the community.

Jolene Carlson, licensed nutritionist and soil health specialist, highlights the relationship of the soil ecosystem to that of the human gut, also covering how the microbiology of the soil is directly reflected in the human gut. She shares about the many ways the microbiome of the gut influences how we feel, what we think, and what we eat. Viewers gain the education and tools to help heal both the soil and the gut to optimize health, prevent disease, and improve their quality of life.