Author Joel Karsten: Straw Bale Gardening
Fans of the author, and of gardening, will learn about a unique way to plant a garden in Minnesota's limited growing season, whether they have bad soil or limited space. Agriculture in all its various forms is an important part of the history/culture of Minnesota.
Several attendees had already read Mr. Karsten's book and were looking for more information or confirmation that they were doing the process correctly. Attendees also learned that by using this process of starting your garden before the frost is out of the ground it is possible to extend Minnesota's limited growing season. One attendee remarked that 'Anyone can now have a garden - and grow very nutritious food.' Another attendee remarked 'It is great to have experts come to our local community to share their knowledge, because I wouldn't be able to go to a larger community to hear this.'
Madison/Dawson/Canby/Granite Falls libraries, local newspapers and radio stations promoting the program. City of Canby, Madion, Granite Falls provided community meeting room space.