Thank you to everyone who helped out on the Eco3 Urban Farm during 2024! We want to extend our gratitude to the volunteer groups that contributed to our various projects throughout this season.
Volunteers from the College of Saint Scholastica (CSS) came out two different times to help out on the Farm. In February, CSS students assisted us in setting up our growing benches in High Tunnel One and helped us kick off the seed starting season by sorting the saved seeds from last year. In the late summer, more CSS students joined us to build raised tamarack garden beds. This work extended our outdoor growing space. We love seeing young people gain experience with power tools such as the ones used for these projects.
Students from the College of Saint Scholastica volunteered throughout the year to help out with various projects
Anderson-Kraus Construction Company volunteers helped us clear out our overgrown perennial berry patch, rock wall, and vineyard at the Farm midseason. It was hard work, but the team was more than up to the task. Thanks to Anderson-Kraus, these areas of the Farm were beautified and our perennial fruits were saved from weeds. Way to go!
Volunteers from Anderson-Kraus Construction Company take on the summer heat to assist the Farm with physically demanding jobs
Support for the Eco3 Urban Farm was widely felt, as we had volunteers join us from outside the Duluth area. Farm Buds, a group of Twin Cities folks eager to learn about and support farming, visited the Farm midsummer to spread woodchips on our paths and remove buckthorn from the Farm’s forested area. Farm Buds helped us make the Farm more accessible to our community.
Service Learning Camps also made the trek from the Twin Cities to help support our projects at the Farm. High school youth helped spread woodchips and clear buckthorn from the forest surrounding the farm (a never-ending task!). Half the group also primed one of our storage containers to prepare for future murals and cleaned off our future wash shed sink. We appreciated the elbow grease!
Farm Buds (pictured left) and Service Learning Camps (pictured right) contribute to beautifying the layout of the Farm for visitors to enjoy
Our youngest volunteers were the most reliable volunteers, coming week after week to support the Farm. Kids from Neighborhood Youth Services helped us pot up seedlings, plant the seedlings in the field, weed, harvest, and paint informational signs for the Farm.
Volunteers from Neighborhood Youth Services take great care handling the seeds and plants, and carefully painting informational signs for the Farm
Last but certainly not least was Northwoods Children’s Services. We saw these kids more than anyone else on the Farm, and it was a pleasure to work with them. Every week they showed up to enjoy the Farm with us, planting, painting, and harvesting. We thank all of the kids for their hard work and smiling faces!
Kids from Northwoods Children’s Services bring energy to all the volunteer projects they take part in