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News & Events


Upcoming Events


Office Open House

Thursday, June 1, 2023
12:00 pm3:00 pm
1603 N Riverfront Dr
Mankato , MN 56001
US

We’ve moved! Come see our new office located on N Riverfront Dr. We are so excited to share our new space with the community. Official ribbon cutting is at 12:30.

Zip Zap Ice Cream and Abu Bilal food trucks will be joining in the celebration, so come get some lunch! There will be yard games, and take home flower seed planting, so bring the family! We hope to see you there.

We are located behind Discover Chiropractic. Street parking available.

Garden 101 Class

Sunday, June 4, 2023
5:00 pm6:30 pm
Big Red Barn 170 Good Counsel Dr, Mankato, MN 56001

Are you ready to get your hands dirty and upscale your gardening knowledge? Come learn gardening skills from Mary Walker, a member of the U of M Master Gardeners Program.

We will demonstrate how to use different tools, prep the soil, seed planting techniques, watering schedules, best planting methods, and so much more.

No prior experience necessary. Please bring shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

This is a free event with donations gratefully accepted.

Park in Loyola High School parking lot across the street from the big red barn.

Space is limited. Please register with the link below.

Riverfront Art Fair

Saturday, June 10, 2023
11:00 am5:00 pm
Old Town Mankato

Living Earth Center will be at the Old Town Mankato for the Riverfront Art Fair! Celebrating music and art, community and food. Local artists will be set up on Washington St, just outside of the Coffee Hag alongside live music all day. River Valley Makers will be across the street at the Hub Food Park with food trucks.

Summer Solstice Celebration

Wednesday, June 21, 2023
5:30 pm7:00 pm
LEC Community Garden
170 Good Counsel Dr
Mankato, MN 56001
US

Bring a picnic, blanket or chairs and join us at the Big Red Barn to celebrate the longest day of the year.

Laura Karels of Bee Balm Fields will provide live music. This family friendly event will also include kid's crafts, lawn games, an original poem from Living Earth Center's Poet Laureate Esther Hoffmann, a reflection ritual, drum circle and will end with fire dancers.

Event is free, with free-will donation to LEC encouraged

Open Mic Night

Sunday, June 25, 2023
7:00 pm8:30 pm

Calling all musicians (with 2-3 songs), poets, dancers and entertainers! Join your community for an open mic night in the garden. Come at 6:45pm to sign up to perform. Bring your chairs or blanket. We will provide the sound system. No alcohol or dogs allowed.

This event is free with donations gratefully accepted.

Park in Loyola High School parking lot across the street from the big red barn.

Register through Eventbrite to perform or attend.

Open Mic Night

Sunday, July 30, 2023
7:00 pm8:30 pm

Calling all musicians (with 2-3 songs), poets, dancers and entertainers! Join your community for an open mic night in the garden. Come at 6:45pm to sign up to perform. Bring your chairs or blanket. We will provide the sound system. No alcohol or dogs allowed.

This event is free with donations gratefully accepted.

Park in Loyola High School parking lot across the street from the big red barn.

Register through Eventbrite to perform or attend.

Open Mic Night

Sunday, August 27, 2023
7:00 pm8:30 pm
Big Red Barn 170 Good Counsel Dr, Mankato, MN 56001

Calling all musicians (with 2-3 songs), poets, dancers and entertainers! Join your community for an open mic night in the garden. Come at 6:45pm to sign up to perform. Bring your chairs or blanket. We will provide the sound system. No alcohol or dogs allowed.

This event is free with donations gratefully accepted.

Park in Loyola High School parking lot across the street from the big red barn.

Register through Eventbrite to perform or attend.


LEC News and Updates


You may be asking, what's the big deal about the worms?

Well, when we took over management of the Blue Earth County Community Farm in 2021 the ground was all hard packed clay soil. Not a single worm to be found. Worms are an indicator of healthy soil that is good for growing, and after 2 years of working to build up the soil, we are just beyond thrilled that we have worms out at the farm!

Earthworms perform several important functions in soil. They improve soil structure, water movement, nutrient cycling and plant growth...

This month we are spotlighting Phil Radel and his business Radel Tree!

Phil donated all the wood chips for pathways at the Community Garden and Farm this year. We are grateful for this support, we use a LOT of wood chips and Phil's donation makes a huge difference for us as a small nonprofit.

He has over 10 years experience in both tree trimming and removal and specializes in climbing trees that are not accessible to a bucket truck. If you need tree services we encourage you to check out this Mankato-based small business that gives back to local area nonprofits!

Earlier this month, LEC moved into their new office space at 1603 N Riverfront Drive.

It was an emotional move, both exciting to be taking this step towards our new future, and also a sadness to be leaving Good Counsel Hill, our home for many years. As we are getting settled in the new space it is feeling more and more like home.

Once we are all set up we will be hosting an open house to welcome everyone to come and see the new space - so keep your eyes open for upcoming details about that fun day!