Earl Hauge, a local farmer that prepared the soil assists FSA employees Diane Duchene and Darlene Noland as they plant potato slips and radishes.
I was a senior in high school when we observed the first Earth Day in 1970. I don’t remember what we did to observe it, but I do remember that we were talking about “ban the can” and reducing air and water pollution. Most of the boys were arguing about the morality of the Vietnam War and our draft status. Of course, we also were thinking about girls, while the girls were talking about prom, graduation and worrying about their boyfriends being drafted.
Forty years have come and gone since that time and since I have such a foggy memory of the first earth day, I thought I would share information about the Minnewaska People’s Garden, which was dedicated on Earth Day 2010 at the USDA Service Center in Glenwood, Minn.
Our People’s Garden is actually a tree demonstration plot and small home garden on poor soil, but it is part of the larger initiative by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to promote healthy food and reduce obesity. All produce will be donated to the local food pantry. Earl Hauge, a local farmer, helped us by tilling the garden plot while property owners Barbara Valnes and her husband Robert allowed us to plow a part of the lawn. The garden overlooks beautiful Lake Minnewaska and even if we don’t get a great harvest, we will get good exercise, fresh air and a great view of the lake.
— by Grant Herfindahl, Pope County Minnesota FSA Office
