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ORGANIZATIONS & FOUNDATIONS
Community Hunger Solutions (CHS) in Vernon County provides the coordination for generous lo- cal farmers to share their unsold produce with those in need. Throughout the growing season, CHS organizes weekly trips to area farms to harvest healthy leftover produce using the labor of volun- teers and paid workers with dis- abilities. This food is delivered to at least 20 meal sites in La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford and Monroe counties, serving approximately 400 families per week.
EVENTS
The Washburn Garden Expo,
put on by the Washburn Neighbor- hood Association and held each spring, provides an opportunity to learn more about landscaping and gardening from vendors and local organizations. The event is
held at Lincoln Middle School and features an annual rain barrel contest.
Bluff Country Master Gardeners
sponsor a yearly “Spring into Gar- dening” workshop covering many
Other area organizations promoting gardening and healthy eating in- clude Riverfront, Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves individu- als with disabilities, has ground and raised-bed gardens, and a greenhouse to promote therapeutic horticulture; WisCorps, a nonprofit conservation corps that engages youth and young adults in conser- vation projects, offers gardening space and produce to its employ- ees; and the Boys & Girls Club Mathy Center, which has a garden the children tend and harvest.
landscaping topics including using the garden as an extension of your living space and protecting rain- forests to protect migratory birds.
The MOSES Conference (Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service) is the largest event in the U.S. teaching about organic and sustainable farming. Every February this event draws more than 3,000 farmers, advocates, educators, students, and
others to the La Crosse Center
Many local foundations have
also been instrumental in help- ing organizations address food security issues and creating a healthy local food system, includ- ing Robert & Eleanor Franke Charitable Foundation, Great Rivers United Way, La Crosse Community Foundation, Otto Bremer Foundation and Paul E. Stry Foundation.
for educational workshops, inspiring keynote speakers and exhibitions.
Other organizations and events that promote the local food system and healthy eating are Earth Fair and Northwest Earth Institute discussion courses put on by Coulee Partners for Sus- tainability and the Fall Festival on the Farm, held at Deep Roots Community Farm and put on by Grow Your Brain.
THE LA CROSSE AREA’S GROWING EXPERIENCE past | present | future
Go to Resources at the back of the publication to find more informa- tion on any group mentioned here.
The annual Washburn Garden Expo, put on by the Washburn Neighborhood Association, always attracts seasoned and first-time gardeners.
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