After a year’s delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the partners behind ‘Sota Grown invite you to a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the innovative pilot project that’s growing leafy greens indoors year-round in central Minnesota for area residents. This unique research collaboration was created to demonstrate how indoor food production using efficient electricity, technology and plant sciences to create microclimates can produce ideal conditions for plant growth. The container is currently averaging 20 pounds of kale each week that’s then distributed by Lakewood Health System’s “Food Farmacy” program that feeds more than 600 people monthly. Attend to learn more about the impact ‘Sota Grown has had in the last year and what’s to come.
What: Ribbon cutting ceremony for ‘Sota Grown followed by lunch and tours
Who: Dr. Hara Charlier, president, Central Lakes College
Rep. John Poston
Frank Sharp, principal technical leader, Electric Power Research Institute
Mark Fagan, vice president and chief corporate and member services officer, Great River Energy
Allison Uselman, member & energy services manager, Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative
Alicia Bauman, community health director, Lakewood Health Systems
Cory Detloff, director of the Ag & Energy Center, Central Lakes College
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson
Rep. Michelle Fischbach
When: 11 a.m. ribbon cutting, lunch at noon and tours of the container available until 3 p.m.
Where: Central Lakes College Ag & Energy Center, 26505 County Road 2, Staples, MN 56479
Why: To celebrate and showcase the innovative pilot project created to demonstrate the future potential of indoor agriculture and what role electric cooperatives and local community organizations play in it.
Contact: Tiffany Klaphake, Central Lakes College, 218-894-5141, tiffany.klaphake@clcmn.edu
