Twin Cities Crop Mob October 17 at Blue Gentian Farm

We're excited to have @RealFoodMN facilitate a conversation at the Minnesota Rising 2010 Un/Conference about making Minnesota a national leader in the real food movement! For some pre-work, you're invited to attend the last Twin Cities Crop Mob of 2010:

What is a crop mob?
From CropMob.org

Crop mob is primarily a group of young, landless, and wannabe farmers who come together to build and empower communities by working side by side. Crop mob is also a group of experienced farmers and gardeners willing to share their knowledge with their peers and the next generation of agrarians. The membership is dynamic, changing and growing with each new mob event.

REGISTER: Twin Cities Crop Mob at Blue Gentian Farm

TIME: Sunday , October 17; 10 AM - 4 PM

LOCATION: Blue Gentian Farm (pronounced jen'shun) is located in New Richmond, WI about 35 miles east of St. Paul, MN.

FOOD: Lunch will be generously provided by the Powers family.

THE PROJECT: We're looking for 15 people to work on Blue Gentian's "Oak Savanna Pasture Restoration Project" which they have been working on (on and off) for several years. There is an upland pasture with oak trees and a lot of other undesirable trees that need to be cut down, picked up, and piled for burning and/or firewood. The remaining oak trees, spaced properly, will improve the grass yield of the pasture and be reminiscent of the oak savanna landscape from Wisconsin's past. The oak savanna pasture is partially done, so people can see what the end result of their labor will be. There are some old remnant fences that can be torn down, and rock piles to load, if time permits. This project would allow the Mob to make a contribution that will last for several years.

Other activities include a tour of the farm & animals, and/or a nature walk on a mowed path along the Willow River and tall grass prairie.

ABOUT BLUE GENTIAN FARM:
The name Blue Gentian (pronounced jen'shun) comes from the rare Blue Gentian Flowers found growing between the farm's wetlands and cool season pastures. Totaling 395 acres, they have over 100 acres of restored tall grass prairie, large cool season grass pastures, low lying wetlands, and majestic oak savannas.

They utilize sustainable farming practices and return more to the land than they take. The heritage breeds they raise are selected for unique qualities that make them a perfect fit for their operations as well as the consumer. While not certified organic, their animals are never given growth hormones, fed rationed antibiotics, or steroids. All of Blue Gentian's animals are free range and dine on natural diets of legumes and proteins.