Sprout Growers & Makers Marketplaces

As per the grant request with updates to budget made with Laura Benson, Sprout MN will coordinate with the Little Falls Convention and Visitor's Bureau to have a new investment to support three events in collaboration with LF CVB. These three events were held 06/24/22, 07/28/2022 and 08/25/2022 at LeBorget Park, located in downtown Little Falls on the Mississippi River. These new investment has supported community engagement, and has empowered the ability to build identity and culture while preserving the cultural heritage of the community of Little Falls, Minnesota.

Each event consisted of live music, art demonstrations, farmers markets and numerous community service organizations as indicated in the line items paid for by budget expenses. The events also included live dance performances, creative art kits for children, petting zoo with local artist and nonprofit organization - Raising a Farmer. The events also included numerous local food vendors.

These events were well attended and are a demonstration of the collaborative work between grantee, Sprout, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Little Falls Chamber, The City of Little Falls and the continued support of the citizens who, through numerous collaborative endeavors, continue to uplift the asset of the Mississippi River, the culture of logging and timber, the legend of Charles Lindbergh, and the grit and tenacity to preserve heritage though the natural, built and human resources of the City of Little Falls.

As stated below, as a wide open and free access to all event, it is difficult to measure attendance as there is no official gate. Citizens are allowed to enter the park from any sidewalk. However, it is estimated that each event had an "gate" attendance of 500 regional citizens. ; As per the interim report, Sprout MN coordinated with the Little Falls Convention and Visitor's Bureau in 2022 to have a new investment to support three events in collaboration with LF CVB. These three events were held 06/24/22, 07/28/2022 and 08/25/2022 at LeBorget Park, located in downtown Little Falls on the Mississippi River. These new investment has supported community engagement, and has empowered the ability to build identity and culture while preserving the cultural heritage of the community of Little Falls, Minnesota. Each event consisted of live music, art demonstrations, farmers markets and numerous community service organizations as indicated in the line items paid for by budget expenses.

In 2023, Sprout MN coordinated two events to support community engagement and to empower the ability to build identity and culture while preserving the cultural heritage of the community of Little Falls, Minnesota - "Log Jam 7" and "Harvest Celebration." The events included live music performances, comedy skits, musical instrument educational sessions, creative art kits for children, and community listening sessions on advancing the culture and heritage of Little Falls, Minnesota - who has a robust and vibrant culture and heritage, including celebrations of local foods. These events were well attended and are a demonstration of the collaborative work between grantee, Sprout, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Little Falls Chamber, The City of Little Falls and The Little Falls Local Food Collaborative. The events included the continued support of the citizens who, through numerous collaborative endeavors, continue to uplift the asset of the Mississippi River, the culture of logging and timber, the legend of Charles Lindbergh, and the grit and tenacity to preserve heritage though the natural, built and human resources of the City of Little Falls. The events were held at Maple Island Park, which abuts the Mighty Mississippi and at the Sprout MN facility. It is estimated that the Log Jam event drew 100 attendees and the Harvest Celebration drew 50 attendees.