Wedge Co-op Begins Development of the Organic Field School at Gardens Of Eagan

By Atina Diffley, OFS@GOE

These are exciting times for organic farming and natural food co-ops. After three and a half decades of consumer education and organic systems development, the general public is becoming aware of the connection between food, health, and farming.

The timing is perfect for the Organic Field School at Gardens of Eagan to provide practical instruction and demonstration for farmers and to educate the public about ecologically based, organic farming systems. Organic systems are logical, they are elegant, they protect our valuable natural resources, and they work. We can feed the planet and take care of the environment; we do not have to choose between the two. In fact, we must choose them both.

Not only is the public ready for this information, we now have decades of observation and organic farming experience behind us. We know how to protect our soil and water resources while simultaneously creating balanced fertility by utilizing photosynthesis. It's called "soil building and organic matter" and it is based on solar energy, the ultimate renewable fertility.

We understand the importance of biological diversity, not just for protecting our natural resources but also as a valuable tool to manage pests and disease in organic farming systems. We can demonstrate that ecological and organic farming systems contribute to mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. The organic community now has the experience and peer-reviewed research to prove that organic farming systems are viable and secure food systems capable of producing yields similar to conventional yields in ideal conditions and better yields in drought conditions, without sacrificing our health and our natural resources.

Ever since the spring of 2006, when the Wedge Co-op first started thinking about owning and operating the Gardens of Eagan and creating the Organic Field School, we have been incubating ideas about the purpose and life of the Organic Field School: what, who and how the OFS will serve the organic and ecological transformation of our food and agricultural systems.

I am excited to announce we have had our first full board meeting and are on our way to creating an Organic Field School at Gardens of Eagan. OFS@GOE is an emerging 501(c)(3) project of the Wedge Community Co-op, dedicated to providing organic and sustainable, in-the-field, practical education for farmers, and teaching the benefits and values of ecological and organic farming systems to the general public.

This farsighted project of the Wedge Coop, the Organic Field School at Gardens of Eagan, has many aspects, enormous potential, endless possibilities. Our first tasks include creating a solid and secure base for the organization through envisioning and defining goals, vision, and mission, and structuring a mutually beneficial relationship between the Organic Field School and its home farm, the Gardens of Eagan.

Everyone involved in this project is excited! We are eager to make the Organic Field School at Gardens of Eagan a valuable resource for the Twin Cities organic and natural food community.

The time is right — organic systems are refined — the public is receptive — farmers are searching for answers — policies are changing - you are co-producers - and soon will be in and out-fielders!

For project and programming announcements, visit www.gardensofeagan.com or www.wedge.coop

Gardens of Eagan is a successful, urban-edge vegetable farm, demonstrating the logic and elegance of organic farming as a viable and environmentally beneficial agricultural system. Originally in Eagan, Gardens of Eagan was established by Martin Diffley in 1973 and cooperated with Atina Diffley. The Wedge Co-op now owns the farm, run by manager Linda Halley.