A friend at Clean Up the River Environment (CURE) sent us news of an event worth sharing and attending at Prairie Horizons Farm in rural Starbuck, Minnesota, where Mary Jo and Luverne Forbord raise grassfed cattle and maintain an orchard.
From the Join Hands for Pollinators website:
Join Hands for Pollinators is an invitation to connect and see, feel and touch springtime on the prairie, as plants, animals and people awaken and new life begins. Pollinators begin their essential role in producing our food, and in Joraan’s Orchard at Prairie Horizons Farm, they come in many shapes and sizes. Native pollinators are picking up the workload of honeybees in decline, and they need our help, just as we need theirs. Strawberries, grapes, plums, pears, apricots and so many more food bearing plants are the gifts to us from pollinators. We haven’t paid much attention to the Natives until now. Join Hands for Pollinators is an invitation to get to know them, where they live and what they need to live, so that we and future generations can thrive together. Families with children and grandchildren are especially welcome! Click here to RSVP.
Here's the schedule:
2:00 – 3:00: Arrive at Prairie Horizons Farm, 31008 State Hwy 29, Benson, MN. Park in designated areas. Follow signs to CHECK IN, receive a name tag and directions to Join Hands!
3:00: Gather for Welcome and Announcements
3:30: Walk 1/4 to 1/2 mile to get in position to join hands and form a human chain of support to protect pollinators, habitat and food sources.
4:00: Official Join Hands for Pollinators moment–let’s unite to stretch a mile!
4:05: Walk back to Joraan’s Orchard
4:30-5:15 in Joraan’s Orchard:
- Find and identify pollinators with Margaret Kuchenreuther, friend, on-farm researcher and biology professor
- Learn to Prune with Carmen Converse, friend, orchardist and former supervisor of the Minnesota Biological Survey. Carmen began Minnesota’s Biological Survey in 1987, the same year that Joraan was born!
5:30: Announcing the formation of Joraan’s Orchard Cooperative!
6:00: POTLUCK! Please bring a dish to share, a serving utensil if appropriate, and your favorite lawn chair if you have one. We will supply water, lemonade, coffee, tea, plates, cups, silverware and napkins, along with Prairie Horizons BBQ beef on a bun and a XXL pot of vegetarian chili to share.
6:30: Open Mike: Speak your mind on pollinators, food, land, water, health and community!
7:00: Joraan’s Orchard Walking Tours and Sing-a-Long for kids of all ages
8:00: Light the Bonfire & let the night music begin! Featured musical guests, but bring your instrument (your voice is always a good one!) if you want to join in.
You are welcome to camp at Prairie Horizons on Saturday, May 6th. Please register each camper via the online registration form by May 3rd, or call 320-760-8732. Thank you!
Check out Mary Jo's Keynote Speech at the 2016 Midwest Organic and Sustainable Service Conference to learn more about the Prairie Horizons Farm story.
Image: The poster for the event.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 33166 770th Ave, Ortonville, MN 56278) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post. Those wishing to make a small ongoing monthly contribution should click on the paypal subscription button.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen@gmail.com as recipient.
Comments