Straw Bale Gardening - Kevin Karsten
Participants will learn there are unique and exciting methods to gardening that don't take a lot of space.
The hope is that people who feel like they can't garden will begin implementing Joel's method and learn they can.
Hopefully a new interest will develop in gardening or trying revolutionary gardening practices. On a library level, we hope people who haven't used the library much will begin exploring our books and subject matter for more revolutionary ideas and for general learning purposes.
The program will reinforce the long standing Minnesota and Midwestern tradition of self-reliance and agriculture. Participant evaluation/surveys will be collected.
1) Participants were excited to learn that straw bale gardening doesn't take a lot of space and it's easily implemented.
2) According to evaluations, people felt empowered to begin gardening and were motivated to give this type of gardening a try. Also, many patrons thought more highly of library as a place to learn about Minnesota's arts, history and culture.
3) Most participants left the presentation interested in trying the new gardening method. The presenter encouraged the patrons to stop by the library and research the types of fruits and vegetables they would like to plant. We've already checked out several gardening books so it has increased library use and library interest.
4) Several attendees responded that this will revolutionize their garden crop production. This carries on the Minnesota tradition of agriculture and improving farming practices.
Several bought books from the author while other's said they would check them out at the library.
Several asked to have other programs similar to this.
Chad Lewis praised, thanked and promoted libraries and encouraged people to go to the library to read more about this subject.
Anecdotal responses were taken.