The program was created by Dr. Sue Wika and Dr. Tom Prieve both professors at MState. They also run a diverse permaculture farm near Ashby Minnesota. They raise goats, horses, hogs, poultry, water fowl, custom graze cattle, vegetables, grain, and hay for stored forage. They live to pass their wealth of knowledge and experience to those thirsty for enlightenment.
They recruited a stunning line up of professors to compliment their abilities. Kent Solberg runs Seven Pines grass farm. His primary enterprise is a grass dairy, but he really excels at stacking enterprises synergistically into his operation; pastured hogs and chickens. He teaches the livestock and forage portion of the program.
Ryan Pesch is a rural community development extension agent from the UofM. He teaches the business and marketing. He gains his experience from interning at, developing, and running a successful CSA. Lida Farm raises fruit, vegetables and chicken for members of his local community.
These were the educators that made the 2010-2011 program such a success. Mark Boen of Bluebird Gardens will be joining the education team for the 2011-2012 school year to teach about soil and crop management. As a retired 3rd grad teacher he is excited to be able to educate once again. He runs a 200 acre vegetable operation near Fergus Falls and is experimenting cover crops with the integration of livestock.
This program is so significant because it is much more than about agriculture. It is about finding as Dr. Wes Jackson puts it "elegant solutions predicated on the uniqueness of place."
This program will build on the foundation of networks it has set in the first year. It will incorporate the graduates from previous years in the learning process and continue to further the much needed support of a local food system.