Discover what’s growing, the practices and techniques behind permaculture, along with the beauty of Valley Natural Foods’ Co-op Community Garden on August 11th.  The Co-op Community Garden will be open for free self-guided tours from 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. as part of Community Garden Day, a statewide community garden open house event. Over 55 participating community gardens across the State of Minnesota, 13 of which are in the Twin Cities south metro, will host events and activities that are free and open to the public. The goal of Community Garden Day, organized by Gardening Matters, is to allow the general public the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of these community spaces directly from the people who steward them.

Established in 2011, Valley Natural Foods has two mandala community gardens with 51 plots and 40 gardeners.  Community Relations Developer at Valley Natural Foods, Gary Johnson, will give guided tours at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. of the community spaces, the edible landscaping and the artfully designed teaching garden alongside the store.  Refreshments will also be available.

Also, down the road from Valley Natural Foods, the Partnership Garden at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley will also be open for tours from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Their address is: 12155 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd, Apple Valley. Tour their circular organic community garden, their wind turbine, solar panels and other sustainable features. Meet with other gardeners, try food made from garden vegetables and enjoy kids’ art activities. View Valley Natural Foods’ south metro Community Garden Day flyer listing all the tours and activities in Dakota County.

For a complete listing of the gardens participating in Community Garden Day, the event times and activities offered, visit www.gardeningmatters.org.

Join us for Earth Day here at the co-op!

The first 100 customers through our door on Earth Day– Sunday, April 22–will receive a FREE reusable tote bag (1 per customer). And, if you bring your own mug to the deli, we’ll give you a FREE cup of Fair Trade coffee (1 per customer).

During Earth Week, Sunday April 22 through April 28, reusable tote bags will be on sale for $.99 each. Double green stamps will be issued for using your reusable tote bag. Collect or donate your green stamps (value: $.05 per stamp).

At the co-op, every day is earth day. We call it: sustainability. It’s part of our business practices, our buying standards and our commitment to local food production. When’s the last time you shopped at a grocery store that had a community garden? Go Co-op. Go Green.

Although it’s January, it is never too early to start thinking about your garden!

We have a new class series at Valley Natural Foods focused on sustainable land use design to get you thinking about new ways to evolve your garden this year.

Our Permaculture Workshop will be held on Tuesday, January 25th and again on Tuesday, March 1st from 6-9pm at Valley Natural Foods. Anybody can attend the classes and all co-op members receive a discounted rate. The workshop is $25 for non-members and $20 for members. Call 952-891-1212 to register or stop by the customer service counter at our store.

During late January and February also join us for our FREE sustainable film series. Please call to pre-register as space is limited! Our film series will explore various environmental concepts including sustainable farming, global warming, and our nation’s use of oil, promoting greating understanding of how these issues affect everybody equally.

The workshop and film discussions are taught by experienced Permaculture designer, Dan Halsey, who has worked with the cities of Apple Valley and Burnsville  and School District 196 to implement his Perpetual Harvest Community Garden designs. Dan is currently working with Valley Natural Foods to design their mandala community gardens during the spring of 2011.  Read more about Dan on his blog: http://southwoodsforestgardens.blogspot.com

During this three hour workshop  learn different, practical Permaculture design elements for your garden that carefully analyze ecological and biological principles using patterns and relationships in nature. The goal is to create synergy and balance between all of the elements in your garden in order to minimize waste and the demand for human labor and energy.  Learn how to consciously design and maintain productive ecosystems that have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. Through the harmonious integration of landscape and people, we are better able to produce food, energy, shelter, and meet other needs—both material and non-material—in a sustainable way.

SUSTAINABLE FILM SERIES
Fridays in January & February are Movie Nights at the Co-op!
Join us to view this innovative film series while enjoying popcorn and engaging in warm conversation. Dan Halsey will introduce the films, offer insights, and encourage discussion.

FRESH, THE MOVIE

Friday, January 28th, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

FRESH the movie celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each is focused on offering healthier, sustainable alternatives to our nation’s industrial food model.

CRUDE AWAKENING

Friday, February 4th, 2011  – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Crude Awakening tells the story of how our civilization’s addiction to oil puts it on a collision course with geology. The film visits with the world’s top experts and concludes that our industrial society must be completely overhauled.

INCONVENIENT TRUTH

Friday, February 11th, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

An Inconvenient Truth is a passionate and inspirational look at former Vice President Al Gore’s fervent crusade to halt global warming’s deadly progress by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it.

A FARM FOR THE FUTURE

Friday, February 18th, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wildlife filmmaker, Rebecca Hosking investigates how to transform her family’s farm into a low energy farm without the use of fossil fuels. She discovers that nature holds the key to making this possible.

If you are a gardening fan, you may want to attend our Farming the Backyard Film Series here at Valley Natural Foods.

Join us Wednesday, June 23, 6:00 pm.-8:00 pm to see the film Global Gardener (A look around the globe at the use of permaculture.)

Permaculture techniques are used all around the world. We can use this philosophy and techniques in our own homes and gardens to maximize efficiency of the growing and living space. Discussion will follow, led by Daniel Halsey. He will share his knowledge and offer advice through the discussion format.  This is a free class that will take place in the Valley Natural Foods classroom (Registration and donations encouraged.)

To register, stop by the Valley Natural Foods customer service counter, or call 952-891-1212. Hope to see you there!