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'Love to Grow' expo offers ideas for beginners, seasoned gardeners Jan. 22

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By
Mavis Fodness

Inspired by winter home shows, Project Food Forest is organizing a “Love to Grow” expo Jan. 22 at Take 16 in Luverne.
Kim Rockman is executive director of Project Food Forest, whose mission is to help empower people to feed themselves through agroforestry, edible landscape design and education.
She said the “Love to Grow” expo is part of the group’s education efforts.
“We really want to make this approachable for people who are new to gardening and those who are experienced,” she said. “We know that people who are growers like to talk and share experiences with each other.”
Home shows offer only small glimpses into the gardening world, Rockman said, with generally one or two greenhouses or landscape designers at indoor home construction, remodeling and decor events.
The Jan. 22 gardening expo in Luverne offers a broader view, from growing vegetables and developing pollinator gardens to nurturing edible perennials (apples, berries, etc.) establishing native gardening.
The January timeframe allows enough time to purchase items or plan new techniques prior to the beginning of gardening season, Rockman said.
The first-time local expo is also a fundraiser for the Project Food Forest, which operates the local five-acre demonstration site, Prairie Ally, on North Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne.
The in-person expo begins at 1 p.m. in Take 16’s events area.
Local gardening expert George Bonnema kicks off the afternoon with a presentation on vegetable gardening followed by University of Minnesota Extension’s Gary Wyatt talking about edible perennials.
The South Dakota State University native plant initiative staff will present on native plant landscaping, and a local projects showcase will close out the educational presentations.
A social hour wraps up the expo at 5 p.m., allowing expo-goers to visit with vendors while enjoying appetizers and a charcuterie of locally grown ingredients. Specialty brews and teas will also be available.
A virtual live option of Love to Grow expo speakers is available from 1 to 4 p.m.
Cost is $30 for in-person attendance and $15 for the virtual option.
Purchase tickets online at eventbrite.com and Love to Grow Expo at Take 16.
For more information contact Rockman at 605-951-0227 or email info@projectfoodforest.org.

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