Upcoming Events
Native Pollinator Garden Workshop
Support pollinators by learning how to grow native Minnesota wildflowers!
Join LEC and Master Gardener Mary Walker to learn about all things pollinator!
From what to plant to attract pollinators to how, and the benefits of native plants, to how to tend your plants throughout the growing season, learn the basics to get started with your own pollinator garden
Class Size is limited, so register today!
Class is offered on our tiered pricing scale:
$45 - Benefactor: purchase your ticket and sponsor 2 scholarship tickets
$22 - Sustainer: purchase your ticket and sponsor a reduced/student ticket
$15 - General Admission: base class price
$7 - Reduced/Student Admission: reduced pricing for students and attendees needing a reduced rate
To request a scholarship ticket please email info@livingearthcentermn.org
Canning 101 workshop
Too many tomatoes?!? Want to preserve your pickles?!?
Join LEC Farm Manager and owner of Wiimąnį Homestead SkyAnne Walker to learn how to preserve your garden harvest by canning.
Learn the basics, from what equipment you'll need to the importance of food safety.
Want to can but don't have the equipment? LEC has you covered! We have all sorts of canning equipment available for checkout from our lending library for free!
Class Size is limited, so register today!
Class is offered on our tiered pricing scale:
$45 - Benefactor: purchase your ticket and sponsor 2 scholarship tickets
$22 - Sustainer: purchase your ticket and sponsor a reduced/student ticket
$15 - General Admission: base class price
$7 - Reduced/Student Admission: reduced pricing for students and attendees needing a reduced rate
To request a scholarship ticket please email info@livingearthcentermn.org
October Community Volunteer Day at the Farm
You are invited to join us at the Community Farm for an evening of volunteering!
Many hands make light work, we will be weeding, turning compost and doing general farm maintenance tasks with...
***BONUS***
Dinner provided by LEC!
The Community Farm is home to our Produce Donation Program, all food grown is donated to local community partners such as ECHO Food Shelf, MY Place, and the St Peter Food Shelf.
You will be making a difference and helping to feed YOUR community.
Registration is not required but appreciated for meal planning.
Fall Farm Fest
Join us to celebrate the end of the growing season at the farm! There will be fall related games and activities and refreshments. Bring the whole family, its FREE!
Time TBD, more details to come
20th Annual Earth Conference
Join us for the 20th Annual Earth Conference!
Time TBD, more details to come.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Join us as we celebrate the shortest day of the year and welcome back the light with community reflection and bonfires.
Time TBD, more details to come.
LEC News and Updates
With tomato season just around the corner we thought we would re-share this recipe for Fresh Tomato Bruschetta shared originally by our Executive Director Laura Marsala Peterson back in September of 2020:
I recently made this simple recipe for a small outdoor gathering and multiple people asked how to make it. I was almost embarrassed to tell them because it was so easy didn't want to blow my gourmet chef cover! Nonetheless, if you have tomatoes, this easy summer recipe is definitely one you want in your wheelhouse!
Through a Grow-a-Farmer Grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund and Region 9 Development Commission, LEC was able to purchase a new irrigation system for the Blue Earth County Community Farm. The old system had been installed in 2021, when LEC took over management of the Community Farm and was showing its age.
"The old system was dated and comprised of a lot of rigid tubing that was starting to wear out and tear," said Community Farm Manager SkyAnne Walker. "Those tears were leaking and we were both losing water pressure in other areas of the system and having water spurting out and creating little ponds at the tears. In addition, it was cumbersome to match up the tubing to the correct rows and there wasn't a lot of room for customization."
The new system is comprised of multiple valves and flexible tubing, allowing more control over which areas are being watered...
The summer season of Seed to Sauce is in full swing at both the Community Garden and Farm. The program has seen incredible growth this year with past participants continuing and new groups reaching out, wanting to be a part of the program.
"Already after just one year, teachers have heard about Seed to Sauce and are reaching out to us asking to bring the program to their classrooms," said LEC Program Manager Cora Uyigue. "It highlights the need for hands-on, outdoor learning for our students...
