, 
, 
, 
, 
Luverne’s Kim Rockman is planning to grow a Food Forest near her family’s home on North Blue Mound Avenue.
A Food Forest is a public site that provides “free, nutrient-dense food for citizens.”
The concept isn’t new, but it’s new to Luverne, and Rockman has been working to get plans in place for a spring groundbreaking.
The Food Forest will be located in the grassy area between the city Public Works department and Frakko. It will border the east side of the flowering crab apple trees up to her parents’ yard.
The plot will be five-eighths of an acre — roughly 27,000 square feet, which is about half the size of a football field.
“Growing up here, I’ve always thought that this place was a gem,” Rockman said, looking around the shaded backyard that’s hidden from city traffic.
“I wanted to share that with the community ... and use it as a community space for education, recreation and to provide great food.”
The plot will be professionally designed to grow fruit-bearing plants — primarily trees, shrubs, perennials and self-seeding annuals — that exist in nature.
Rockman said she’s partnering with Project Food Forest in Sioux Falls to help get the one in Luverne started.
The plot will be free, accessible and open to anyone who chooses to harvest the fruits and berries grown there. “My long-term goal for the site is for it to be its own non-profit,” Rockman said.
But a Food Forest doesn’t get started for free.
Rockman is applying for grants to offset design costs, and she’s rallied support from others willing to donate services.
She’s also participating in the citywide rummage sales this week to help fund the design and materials.
The rummage at 308 N. Blue Mound Avenue will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14; from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15; and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.
Rockman’s parents, Jim and Cathy Rockman, own six acres in that area and are offering the ground for the Food Forest.