Straw Bale Gardening

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$1,909

Project of

Pioneerland Library System Legacy Grant SFY 2014 - SFY 2015

Fund Source

Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

Recipient Type

Libraries

Status

Completed

Start Date

June 2014

End Date

June 2014

Activity Type

Education/Outreach/Engagement

Research

Counties Affected

Lac qui Parle

Yellow Medicine

Project Overview

Minnesota author Joel Karsten presented a program on straw bale gardening, based on his book, "Straw Bale Gardens: The Breakthrough Method for Growing Vegetables Anywhere, Earlier and with No Weeding." Straw Bale Gardening is a different type of container gardening. The main difference is that the container is the straw bale itself and is held together with two or three strings. Once the straw inside the bale begins to decay the straw becomes 'conditioned' compost that creates an extraordinary plant rooting environment. This gardening technique works well anywhere in the country or the world for that matter.

Project Details

88 attendees

Project Details: 2014 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision

Laws of Minnesota for 2013, Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 4

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$1,909

Direct expenses

$1,909

Number of full time equivalents funded

n/a

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Local author Joel Karsten will conduct a hands-on workshop on creating the straw bale gardens which are the focus of his book. Participants will find a unique way to plant a garden, whether they have bad soil or limited space. This idea also helps with Minnesota's limited growing season, allowing gardens to be started earlier.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Several people already had his book and were looking for more information or confirmation that they were doing the process correctly. They also learned that you can start the process before the frost is out of the ground allowing local gardeners a longer growing season.

Source of Additional Funds

Madison, Canby, Dawson, Granite Falls libraries are included in the contract. Radio Station KLQP with free air time promoting the programs; local cities newspapers with free articles on the program. Canby Community Center meeting room, Madison City Hall m