Straw Bale Gardening/Redwood Falls

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$269

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

Redwood

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 of program paid with 2013 Legacy funds.)

Project Details

51 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

$269

Other Funds Leveraged

$2,013

Direct expenses

$269

Number of full time equivalents funded

N/A

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)

Many who attended purchased the book, and expressed interest in trying straw bale gardening. other's commented that they would like to check the book out from the library, and we placed holds for a few of the participants. Responses included: "The program was well put together, interesting speaker and an interesting way to garden." "Unbelievable that a person could garden with straw bales, but his program showed that it could be done." "I would like to have him come back every year--very interesting speaker." "Thank you to the library for having such a wonderful program and interesting speaker." "I think the library is a great resource for our town. I am glad they are able to offer this type of program."

Source of Additional Funds

We held a drawing for a gift certificate for vegetable plants (donated by the local garden center) and straw bales (donated by a local farmer). Two attendees were able to go home ready to grow. The Apple Gourd Project, a local organization dedicated to a community garden, helped advertise and had participants attend the event. Area libraries helped advertise.