Prioritized Master Design Offers Direction for the Growing Project
(FERGUS FALLS, Minn.) – The University of Minnesota’s long range planning report has been issued to Lake Region Healthcare’s wellness project “Lake Region Takes Root” (LRTR) just as the project prepares to launch its third season at the 1.5 acre community garden in Fergus Falls.
Funded by Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR) created a Master Plan for Lake Region Takes Root to provide a sustainable plan to help ensure the garden is productive for many years to come to serve the needs of local families. Food grown at the garden is donated to area food shelves and the county WIC program participants. In 2014, the garden production topped 4500 pounds and impacted over 3,000 individuals.
A total of 14 “Priority Level 1” recommendations were made by the team including a crop rotation plan, a compost zone, and a packing shed for produce handling washing & storage.
Making recruiting and training of garden volunteers an ongoing priority was also among the top recommendations. “Youth groups, churches, after school programs, individuals, service clubs, and business teams have all been a part of our volunteer workforce,” said Jason Bergstrand, Garden Coordinator. “Manpower, however, continues to be our greatest need to grow this concept to the next level,” he added. He stressed that no special skills are needed and volunteers will be guided by garden leaders. “It’s such a rewarding way to learn, socialize and give back. Everyone leaves feeling like they’ve made a difference whether they work one time for a couple hours or come back regularly,” Bergstrand said.
Among other long term recommendations are a nature-based playground, a refrigeration trailer, a rainwater collection system, drip irrigation, and a solar field.
The full Long Term Master Design Recommendations are available on the web at www.lrhc.org => Health & Wellness => Community Garden. More information about the garden and about how to volunteer is available from Kim Blank, Volunteer Coordinator at Lake Region Healthcare kablank@lrhc.org or 218.736.8472.
About Lake Region Healthcare
Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional healthcare partner. With over 80 medical staff and over 900 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.
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