14 minute read
Building Community Through Food: Glean for Good
BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Have you ever heard the word “glean” before? One usage refers to learning or discovering, as in, “You may glean new information by reading this article.” The more common definition for the word, however, is to gather – or more specifically, to gather grain or other material that is left after the main crop has been harvested.
Certainly, that is a term that fits South Dakota, where agriculture is our state’s number one industry. But for Beth Jensen, a physician with Sanford Health, gleaning has become part of her everyday life. How that came to be requires a little background study.
Having worked in family medicine for more than a decade, Jensen sees patients of all ages.
“It’s really cradle to grave health care,” she explains. “I’ve delivered babies, and I’ve done rounds at the hospital. I care for a variety of needs, and I feel very close to my families.”
Working at a clinic in a diverse neighborhood, Jensen met individuals from all walks of life, different cultures, and varying economic means. She learned much more about her patients than whether they had a sore throat or runny nose.
“I learned all about these families,” she says. “I learned about hunger.”
Jensen points out that one out of five children in South Dakota is at risk for going hungry at night and many children in Sioux Falls qualify for free or reduced lunch because of the family’s income. And, those children depend on that lunch because it may be the only full meal they get that day.
“This is ironic with South Dakota being an
agricultural state,” Jensen says. “We produce food here, yet food pantries are overwhelmed with individuals in need of food.”
When families are struggling to put food on the table or with other needs, chances are they may not be seeking regular preventive care.
“Too often, I see patients who already have diabetes or other chronic disease,” she says. “And I think to myself, ‘If only I could have talked to them ten years sooner.’ Many of these illnesses could have been prevented by a healthier diet.”
What she learned – gleaned – through her experience led her to create Glean For Good, an effort to provide a voice for the voiceless and to engage others in creating radical change in how food is obtained and distributed within communities. On the farm Jensen shares with her husband, Matt, and their three daughters, they garden, raise animals and they share with others.
“There is a beautiful story in the Bible, the Book of Ruth, about gleaning,” says Jensen. “In those days, it was a way to provide for the poor, the widow and the orphan. After a farmer went through the field the first time, the corners and sides would be left so that those in need could gather food for themselves.”
Because she feels that it is important for her, as a physician, to live a healthy lifestyle to serve as a role model, the family made a concentrated effort to live off their land, with garden produce, eggs and goat’s milk they also made into cheese. They also bartered with neighbors who raise hogs and cattle. She says that 80 to 90 percent of what they ate came from the land. Whenever there is extra food, they share. It might be creating a “harvest table” at their church or holding “gleaning parties” where they invite others
to the farm to share in the work and share in a meal.
“One group would go out in the field and pick flowers to arrange,” Jensen explains. “Another group harvests tomatoes, berries or zucchini, and others work inside on food prep. When all the work is done, we eat together.”
Over the course of 90 minutes, strangers become strangers no more.
“We may be different, but the one common denominator we have is our need for food. We share a meal together, but we also share in conversation. It is very hard to hold onto stereotypes after you sit down to eat with someone.”
In a time when there is so much division, Jensen says this focus on food can be healing.
“Food is necessary for our physical health, but it can also be mentally and spiritually fulfilling,” she says. “To have a healthy community, we must have a connection to our neighbors. I believe, especially now, that people do want to connect and get to know others who are different than they are. And, when people have access to food, when they are able to feed their families, it reduces their daily stress.”
Glean for Good grows connections with people by introducing them to sustainability, gardening, and community.
“When we decided to try the experiment of living off the land, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be,” Jensen says. “And, we still ate out occasionally, and our kids ate school lunch. It’s not like we were the Ingalls family and we’d starve if our garden didn’t produce or there were no eggs from our chickens. It was more about the spirit of it and to show that this is a normal, accessible and affordable way to obtain food.”
Even while they are hoping to teach some lessons about food, especially to young people, it also means that the Jensens are always learning. The three girls, ages 14, 13 and 11 all have their responsibilities working at the farm. The family had milk from their goats, but Jensen says she had to do some learning when it came to making cheese or when she wanted to try using tallow to make soap and candles.
“You don’t have to be a doctor,” she laughs, “you just have to watch some You Tube videos!”
There are many ways to connect with Glean for Good. Their website includes a
Glean for Good www.gleanforgood.net Facebook @Gleanforgood Twitter @drbethjensen
blog that covers topics from making your own maple syrup to why it’s easy to fall in love with a pet pig. Their Facebook page includes regular check-ins on life at the farm. If nothing else, you want to go for the pictures and videos of their animals, which includes their dog, kittens, chicks, alpaca, mini donkeys, pigs, goats, lambs and baby doll sheep.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has changed some of the in-person events at the farm, families can sign up for a field trip where they will get to meet the animals and help with some of the farm chores. One of their more popular offerings lately is GleanScreen: A Farm to Zoom Experience. Yep, that’s right. You can have one of their animals crash your next Zoom meeting! Get a birthday greeting from a goat, or have the alpaca kick off your board meeting. There are different options, and the fee will help support the work of Glean for Good.
Jensen hopes their work can inspire gleaning among others. It might be with food, but it could also be in sharing time and talents.
“Many of us are blessed with resources that enable us to live comfortably – we have enough,” Jensen says. “But in the midst of the success even in our own community, there are many with needs. Together we can create opportunities for those who are underserved to be productive and contribute to their own well-being. There is a saying we like to share as our vision, and that is, ‘Whoever has much has nothing left over and whoever has little has no lack.’”
July 2020
Please call ahead to check events for cancellations or postponements.
Summer Porch Series at Strawbale Winery!
Thursday, July 2 • 5pm - 8pm 47215 257th St., Renner, SD We have live music, local artists selling their wares, and food vendors from around the area. Enjoy fine South Dakota wines and relaxing music complemented with specially prepared food, just for you. INFO (605) 543-5071.
Sunday in the Vineyard
Sunday, July 5 • 2pm - 5pm Wilde Prairie Winery 48052 259th St., Brandon, SD. Live music, food, wine and fun. Music by Holly Vandenberg. INFO (605) 582-6471.
Sangria Sunday at Strawbale Winery!
Sunday, July 5 • 1pm - 4pm 47215 257th St., Renner, SD Bring a Picnic Lunch! Live music from 1:00 - 4:00! Join your friends at Strawbale Winery to enjoy Sangria Summer wines and relaxing music. INFO (605) 543-5071.
Summer Porch Series at Strawbale Winery!
Thursday, July 9 • 5pm - 8pm 47215 257th St., Renner, SD We have live music, local artists selling their wares, and food vendors from around the area. Enjoy fine South Dakota wines and relaxing music complemented with specially prepared food, just for you. INFO (605) 543-5071.
Historic Walking Tour of Forth Dakota
Siouxland Heritage Museums Thursday, July 9 • 6:30 p.m. Enjoy beautiful summer weather while learning about Sioux Falls sites you pass by every day! $3 per person over 12 years old, call (605) 367-4210 to register. www. siouxlandmuseums.com
Yoga & Wine
Thursday, July 9 • 6pm Wilde Prairie Winery 48052 259th St., Brandon, SD. Yoga taught by certified yoga instructors from Sanford Health. INFO (605) 582-6471.
Oakridge After Dark
Friday, July 10 • Oakridge Nursery. 2217 S. Splitrock Blvd., Brandon, SD. Join us for family movie night in the courtyard! INFO (605) 331-4421.
Stacey’s Vintage Art Boutique Grand Opening & Big Paws Canine Fundraiser
Saturday, July 11 • 11am - 4pm 27102 Albers Ave., Sioux Falls, SD Local artists & artisans, handmade jewelry, furniture, photography, stones & crystals, reclaimed & re
imagined pieces, trendy clothing and more! INFO (605) 213-0045.
Sunday in the Vineyard
Sunday, July 12 • 2pm - 5pm Wilde Prairie Winery 48052 259th St., Brandon, SD. Live music, food, wine and fun. Music by Geoff Gunderson. INFO (605) 582-6471.
Sangria Sunday at Strawbale Winery!
Sunday, July 12 • 1pm - 4pm 47215 257th St., Renner, SD Bring a Picnic Lunch! Live music from 1:00 - 4:00! Join your friends at Strawbale Winery to enjoy Sangria Summer wines and relaxing music. INFO (605) 543-5071.
Sunday in the Vineyard
Sunday, July 12 • 2pm - 5pm Wilde Prairie Winery 48052 259th St., Brandon, SD. Live music, food, wine and fun. Music by Geoff Gunderson. INFO (605) 582-6471.
Historic Walking Tour of the South End Cathedral District
Siouxland Heritage Museums Thursday, July 16 • 6:30 p.m. Enjoy beautiful summer weather while learning about Sioux Falls sites you pass by every day! $3 per person over 12 years old, call (605) 367-4210 to register. www. siouxlandmuseums.com
Kid’s Activity Day at the Old Courthouse Museum
Thursday, July 16 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Learn about history and make your own crafts to take home. 15 minute sessions run throughout morning and afternoon times. Call to reserve times. Free admission. INFO (605) 367-4210 or www. siouxlandmuseums.com
Summer Porch Series at Strawbale Winery!
Thursday, July 16 • 5pm - 8pm 47215 257th St., Renner, SD We have live music, local artists selling their wares, and food vendors from around the area. Enjoy fine South Dakota wines and relaxing music complemented with specially prepared food, just for you. INFO (605) 543-5071.
Surfin’ Safari at the Old Courthouse Museum Summer Concert Series
Friday, July 17 Noon - 1pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Surfin’ Safari will perform in the plaza behind the Old Courthouse Museum from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch! Admission is free. (605) 367-4210 or www. siouxlandmuseums.com
Sunday in the Vineyard
Sunday, July 19 • 2pm - 5pm Wilde Prairie Winery 48052 259th St., Brandon, SD. Live music, food, wine and fun. Music by Vermillion Brothers. INFO (605) 582-6471.
Summer Camps and Classes
It’s officially summer! Have you signed up for one of the Washington Pavilion summer camps yet? Our classes and camps are hands-on learning experiences that create memorable moments in a safe, fun environment, resulting in wonderful opportunities for students of all ages!
Call 605-367-6000 or visit washingtonpavilion.org to enroll today.
We’re Moving!
We are moving to a new office, but not far! Please feel free to stop in and visit us once we’ve settled in. Effective Date: July 13, 2020
Our new address is: 2401 W. Trevi Place, Suite 101 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57108 Our phone numbers will remain: (605) 221-6900 | (844) 877-1328
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com
Rosemaling Demonstration at the Old Courthouse Museum
Tuesday, July 21 • 1pm - 4pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Eileen Halverson will be demonstrating the Norwegian folk art of Rosemaling (decorative painting) in the second-floor hallway of the Old Courthouse Museum. Stop in any time for a demonstration or to ask questions. INFO (605) 367-4210 or www.siouxlandmuseums.com
Summer Porch Series at Strawbale Winery!
Thursday, July 23 • 5pm - 8pm 47215 257th St., Renner, SD We have live music, local artists selling their wares, and food vendors from around the area. Enjoy fine South Dakota wines and relaxing music complemented with specially prepared food, just for you. INFO (605) 543-5071.
Historic Walking Tour of the Warehouse District
Siouxland Heritage Museums Thursday, July 23 • 6:30 p.m. Enjoy beautiful summer weather while learning about Sioux Falls sites you pass by every day! $3 per person over 12 years old, call (605) 367-4210 to register. www.siouxlandmuseums.com
Evening in the Vineyard
Friday, July 24 • 6pm - 9pm Wilde Prairie Winery 48052 259th St., Brandon, SD. Music by Elisabeth Hunstad and food by Crickets Catering. INFO (605) 582-6471.
Old Courthouse Museum Summer Plaza Concert Series
Friday, July 24 • 12pm - 1pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Live music in the plaza behind the Old Courthouse Museum. Bring your lunch! Admission is free. INFO (605) 367-4210 or www.siouxlandmuseums.com
Sunday in the Vineyard
July 5 • 2pm - 5pm Wilde Prairie Winery 48052 259th St., Brandon, SD. Live music, food, wine and fun. Music by Billy Lurken. INFO (605) 582-6471.
Sangria Sunday at Strawbale Winery!
Sunday, July 26 • 1pm - 4pm 47215 257th St., Renner, SD Bring a Picnic Lunch! Live music from 1:00 - 4:00! Join your friends at Strawbale Winery to enjoy Sangria Summer wines and relaxing music. INFO (605) 543-5071.
Summer Porch Series at Strawbale Winery!
Thursday, July 30 • 5pm - 8pm 47215 257th St., Renner, SD We have live music, local artists selling their wares, and food vendors from around the area. Enjoy fine South Dakota wines and relaxing music complemented with specially prepared food, just for you. INFO (605) 543-5071.
Historic Walking Tour of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
Siouxland Heritage Museums Thursday, July 30 • 6:30 p.m. Enjoy beautiful summer weather while learning about Sioux Falls sites you pass by every day! $3 per person over 12 years old, call (605) 367-4210 to register. www.siouxlandmuseums.com
Old Courthouse Museum Summer Plaza Concert Series
Friday, July 31 • Noon - 1pm Old Courthouse Museum 200 West Sixth Street Live music in the plaza behind the Old Courthouse Museum from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch! Admission is free. INFO (605) 367-4210 or www.siouxlandmuseums.com
Hydrangea Happy Hour
July 31 Oakridge Nursery. 2217 S. Splitrock Blvd. Brandon, SD Sip while you shop our wide variety of hydrangeas! INFO (605) 331-4421.
