Thank you to everyone who has already donated!
LEC has found our Forever Home!!
We are excited to announce that as of October 21, 2026, LEC is the proud owner of the former Pumpkin Farm property located at 1411 Pohl Rd in the heart of Mankato! It is a beautifully stewarded property that we hope to transform into a shared community space unlike anything the Greater Mankato region currently has. A place where people can gather, learn, grow food, and build relationships with the land and with one another.
When Katy and Dave Wortel approached LEC about selling us their property, we were honored to be chosen to continue their dedication to environmental stewardship of the property. We knew as soon as we stepped foot on the property that it was the perfect location to continue to carryout the legacy of our founders, the School Sisters of Notre Dame. We were also excited about the myriad possibilities this afforded LEC - how we could both expand and strengthen our programming while continuing to build community connections in this new location.
- Continuing the Environmental Legacy at Pohl Rd
- Continuing the School Sister's of Notre Dame's legacy
- Strengthening the Fight for Food Security
- Creating Community Connections
If you wish to make an analog donation, checks can be mailed to:
Living Earth Center
1603 N Riverfront Dr
Mankato, MN 56001
or contact lpeterson@livingearthcentermn.org for other donation options.
Pohl Rd: Latest News and Updates
Dear Friends of the Living Earth Center,
It is with great joy and gratitude that I share a significant milestone in Living Earth Center’s story: we have purchased a property that will become our forever home!
Alongside this news, we are publicly launching our Capital Campaign, Growing for the Future: Rooted in Community, to transform this special place into a vibrant regional center for growing, gathering, and learning.
When we learned that Good Counsel Hill, home to our flagship garden, would be sold, we began searching for a permanent place to put down roots. That search led us to 1411 Pohl Road. For more than 50 years, Katy and Dave Wortel cared for this property with love. Formerly known locally as the Pumpkin Farm, its 11 acres in the heart of Mankato include farmland, old-growth woods, restored prairie, wetlands, and a historic 1940s barn. By choosing Living Earth Center over a developer, the Wortels have ensured this land will be protected and shared for generations to come. We are deeply honored to carry their legacy forward...
