Straw Bale Gardening/Marshall

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$293

Project of

Plum Creek Library System Legacy Grant SFY 2014 - SFY 2015

Fund Source

Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

Recipient Type

Libraries

Status

Completed

Start Date

April 2014

End Date

April 2014

Activity Type

Education/Outreach/Engagement

Counties Affected

Lyon

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. (Note: $85.13 paid in 2013, $293.85 in 2014 legacy)

Project Details

22 participated

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

$293

Other Funds Leveraged

$2,013

Direct expenses

$293

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Attendees will learn how to successfully garden with straw bales. The program will encourage more gardeners to use the library for gardening information. Attendees will learn sustainable gardening, promoting healthy eating and well as respect for the environment.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The audience was very participatory in the discussion of an important part of the end of the Vietnam War--a subject that is not as known as the other parts of the war. Hopefully it will pique interest in learning more about the Vietnam War in general, and encourage historical research on the subject. The program tied in nicely to end the expanded "Tracy Reads" program this year. The program was also aided by the speaker having been a veteran of the Vietnam War which helped inform the discussion and presentation. There were a few Vietnam veterans in the audience, and they said they really appreciated the presentation.

Source of Additional Funds

Libraries promoted each others' programs. Ivanhoe Library arranged program tour with presenter and created press release. Marshall created a joint poster showing dates/times/locations for all presentations of this program. The radio provided an opportunity to promote the event The Friends promoted the program through a special sale on gardening books. Master Gardeners helped spread the word about the event, had a display in the library, and will be able to answer additional questions as needed now that the presentation is over.