Everything Spring 2017

SPRING 2017

PRODUCING A CONNECTION

LIDA FARM USES VEGETABLES, HERBS TO CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS

UPCYCLE IT HOW TO ‘REPURPOSE’ THAT TRASH INTO UNIQUE TREASURES

STOPPING THE SPREAD

THE FIGHT TO KEEP AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES OUT OF LOCAL LAKES CONTINUES

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE APRIL 26, 2017 ISSUE OF THE TRIBUNE

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SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2017

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Lida Farm uses vegetables, herbs to connect with community

INDEX PUBLISHED BY DL NEWSPAPERS IN THE APRIL 26 ISSUE OF THE TRIBUNE

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Junk Repurposed: Tips for turning trash into treasure How to ignite a love of gardening in young children Invasive Species: The fight against infestation continues

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Producing a connection Lida Farm uses vegetables, herbs to connect with community members STORY & PHOTOS BY MEAGAN PITTELKO

R

yan Pesch grew up a city kid. Sure, his family gardened, but they weren’t intense about it, and they certainly weren’t farmers.

Now, though, Pesch, his wife, and their three children live, breathe and--most of all--eat like farmers.

“I started to think, ‘How can I make a positive change in the world?’” he said. “I wanted to care for the environment directly.”

This thought process began back in Pesch’s college days, Ryan and Maree Pesch--along with their children Sylvia, Willem, and Graham--own and operate Lida Farm in Pelican Rapids. (Submitted photo)

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when he attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. He got involved in a tiny food co-op, and his idea of food began to change.

“They were really concerned about the environment, and I was pretty disgusted with the way everything was becoming paved-over, strip-mall, consumer junk,” he said. “And, although you can change the laws, that won’t change the landscape.”

Fast-forward--through two years of farming as an apprentice, working with one of the first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operations in the Twin Cities, and growing produce with his wife, Maree, on her home farm--to 2004, when the couple moved to Otter Tail County and began their own farm. The farm, named Lida Farm and located in Pelican Rapids, MN, boasts a little under four acres of outdoor farming land, as well as a winter greenhouse.

“We grow whatever we can,” Pesch said. “We have 18 varieties of tomatoes, about 20 varieties of peppers, radishes, potatoes, squash, lettuce--really anything you

can grow here.”

It was this wide variety of produce-paired with the desire to share affordable, organic food with the community-that led the couple to start their own CSA program 11 years ago.

“People eat with their eyes,” Pesch explained. “So, the secret sauce to a CSA is to have 80 percent staple produce and 20 percent different, because no one only wants crazy produce and no one only

wants boring produce.”

A CSA allows community members to purchase a share of vegetables from a local farm; they will then receive boxes of fresh produce at predetermined intervals.

Lida Farm offers two kinds of CSA shares: a full share, where members receive a 3/4 bushel box of in-season produce every week for 16 weeks or an every-otherweek share, where members receive a box every other week over the same time. The cost varies from farm to farm and share to share, with Lida Farm offering shares starting at $255 for the season.

According to Pesch, the best part about participating in a

Lida Farm owners Ryan and Maree Pesch operate an on-site farm stand and have been long-time vendors at the Lakes Area Farmers Market in Detroit Lakes, MN, according to their webpage. (Submitted photo)

SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 17’

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CSA is getting organic, locally-grown produce for a rate that is more affordable than supermarket prices.

“It isn’t about extracting wealth,” he said. “It’s a great way to eat healthy, and it’s a way to vote with your food dollar.

You get to choose, in part, the world you want to have.”

Boxes vary in weight from week to week, but can weigh as little as six pounds towards the beginning of the season and as much as 35 pounds towards the end of the season. From small herbs to large watermelons, the boxes contain a wide range of produce throughout the season, which runs from June to October or November depending on weather.

“It’s a mixed bag, so it helps people eat a wider variety of produce,” Pesch said. “It’s also a way of cutting down on waste, because there’s lots of plastic packaging on our food today and we use as little of that as possible. We even use reusable boxes.”

After over a decade of providing CSA boxes to individuals living in or near Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, Perham and

Pelican Rapids, Pesch has noticed a few things about those who participate in CSAs.

“They work best for people who are adventurous cookers and who like to get creative in the kitchen,” he explained. “It’s for people who want to see where their food is grown and want to learn about me, my family and this land. I’m not a seller and you’re not a buyer; I’m a grower and you’re an eater.”

Pesch feels that, overall, CSAs reinforce a connection between individuals

and their food--and those who grow it-that has been lost in the bustle of present-day society.

“There’s a higher mission to CSAs, which is to meet people, share what I know and educate people about their food,” he said. “A lot of learning happens; it’s not just a way of selling produce. I don’t like to think about food as a commodity--it’s something more.”

Head to www.lidafarm.com for more information on Lida Farm and information about the 2017 CSA program.

(Above) A variety of herbs and produce are grown in the winter greenhouse on Lida Farm. The greenhouse is home to everything from dill and parsley to broccoli and lettuce, according to Pesch. (Top) Produce sits on the shelves of Lida Farm’s stand. Pesch said that the farm offers 18 varieties of tomatoes and about 20 varieties of peppers in addition to a wide array of other produce.

(Submitted photos)

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Upcycle it Tips for turning trash into treasure STORY & PHOTOS BY MEAGAN PITTELKO

Y

ou’ve all heard the age-old saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Well, for local makers, this simple sentence is much more than just a saying; it’s a lifestyle.

“I’ve been fixing stuff up for, oh, 30plus years,” said Vicky Carrier, who repurposes a variety of “junk” for resale. “I was just kind of born into it.”

Whether she’s rummaging through trash piles or bartering for items at thrift stores, Carrier is more than familiar with the life of a maker. She said that she’s always working on multiple projects at once, sometimes putting them away for a while before coming back to them with a fresh outlook--or fresh materials.

This process--called upcycling--is, put simply, the act of transforming unwanted products into new, more desir-

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SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2017

able ones. And, although people like Carrier have been turning trash into treasure throughout their entire lives, it’s a feasible hobby for newcomers, too.

According to Penny Willette, who owns Repurposed Pennies in Detroit Lakes, the mindset is the most important part of repurposing.

“You have to want to keep things out of the landfills,” she explained. “It’s important to care about the piece you’re repurposing.”

In addition to having the right mindset, there are other skills and characteristics essential to the success of upcycling--and we got some lifelong makers to supply their tips and tricks of the trade to help your journey into the world of repurposing run as smoothly as possible.

EMBRACE PILES OF, WELL, GARBAGE

According to Carrier, piles of trash or local dumpsters usually contain a wealth of repurposable goodies.

“You can get pallets--which are huge right now--from most local businesses,” she said. “And I just got a whole bunch of paint from the landfill. My whole car seat is full of it.”

Carrier also snags garbage that has been left out on the curb, salvaging whatever she can from the piles. She said, for example, that she has saved the wooden legs from a table that was otherRepurposed wheels, signs and other creations sit outside of My 2nd Home and Repurposed Pennies in Detroit Lakes.

wise ruined.

“If there’s something you can save from going to the landfill,” she said, “you do it.”

Another creator, Peggy Gervais, said that she “just fixes things up that are already ready.” She explained that she finds items on the side of the road or in dumpsters that need a little extra love, so being afraid of digging through trash isn’t an option.

“If it’s on the side of the road or in the trash, it’s yours,” she said.

“I used to be really nervous about it, but I’m not anymore. You just have to get used to it.”

DON’T FEAR FAILURE In addition to braving piles of garbage and your own apprehension, Gervais also advises makers and upcyclers to stand tall in the face of failure.

“You can’t be afraid to ruin something, because it was already in the garbage,” she said. “I’ve had to redo things completely or I’ve had times where I’ve thought, you know, that wasn’t the life it was supposed

to get.”

Donita Kimball--who owns My 2nd Home in Detroit Lakes--said that, if that fear is making you nervous to get started, try shadowing someone who already repurposes.

“Learn from the older people who’ve been doing this for a long time,” she said. “Start by getting your feet wet first and then, if you really want to do it, jump in with both feet.”

Gervais explained that, through such failures, you’ll learn what you should--or shouldn’t--do next time.

“You’ll move on and you’ll figure it out,” she said. “And, in the end, you’re proud of what you made. You can tell people that it was next to a dumpster or in the landfill, and now it’s a beautiful end table in your bedroom.”

Another upcycler, Becky Smith, creates outdoor solar lighting fixtures out of old chandeliers and agreed that failure can deter a lot of newcomers to the crafting world.

Smith--who has purchased all of her chandeliers from rummage sales or second-hand stores before strip-

A repurposed chandelier, created by Becky Smith, (top) sits on a table. The chandeliers are solar-powered and designed for outdoor use. (Above) An repurposed filing cabinet sits against a wall. The piece was designed by Peggy Gervais.

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A wheel leans against a table that has been repurposed by Vicky Carrier. The table was made out of pallet wood.

ping them and repainting them for resale-explained that getting started can be a slow process.

“You just have to keep persevering,” she said. “Don’t get discouraged. Sometimes, it takes a long time to get started and it isn’t realistic to think that you’ll make a living off of it right away.”

DO IT FOR YOURSELF Ultimately, if you’re just starting out-before planning to haul your new creations to a second-hand or antique store for resale--all of the makers shared the same overarching tip: “Do it for yourself first.”

According to Gervais, she started creating when she was very young--and she certainly wasn’t thinking about making money.

“When my sister and I were little, if we wanted something to play with, we had to make something to play with,” she said.

“We had to make things for our Barbies, like beds out of kleenex boxes and tables made from bottle caps. We didn’t get the dream houses, so it just kind of started young to use things and be creative.”

Her sister--who happens to be Willette, the aforementioned owner of Repurposed Pennies--agreed, stressing that the idea of upcycling (and plain old recycling) has to be, above all else, important to you.

“You have to care about the environment,” she said. “It has to be important to the person who’s doing the repurposing, and it has to be important to the people supporting their local artists and businesses.”

JUST BE THRIFTY Overall--whether you’re looking to recycle an old dresser like Gervais (“I just put a little lipstick on it and give it a new life!”) or to completely change the prod-

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ucts you find like Carrier (“There are so many interesting things in the garbage or at the landfill!”)--the main goal is to spend the least amount of money you can.

Buying things at thrift stores or antique shops, snagging rickety-looking furniture from the side of the road or grabbing leftover paint from the landfill can all help keep the cost of repurposing down.

“It doesn’t have to be expensive. I mostly just enjoy creating pieces that are really affordable for people who can’t afford new stuff, and even just a coat of paint can give a peice new life,” Gervais said. “These things were garbage to begin with and you’re saving them.”

And, in the end, treat your repurposing journey like any other adventure.

“It can be frustrating, but don’t stop trying,” Kimball said. “At the end of the day, you can always paint over something if you don’t like it, so just be brave.”

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Get kids excited about

Tips for igniting a child’s love for growing things, indoors and out

M

any adults understand the joy of gardening, but gardening can be equally fun for children as well. While some adults may feel that certain children do not have the patience or perseverance to see plants grow from seeds to adulthood, selecting plants that are hardy and sprout quickly may be the key to igniting a love of gardening in children.

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A love of gardening that’s fostered inside can also be explored outdoors. Set aside a plot of dirt where kids can sow their own seeds and tend to their own gardens. This hobby can help children learn patience and hard work while fostering an appreciation of nature.

SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2017

gardening Choosing seeds that sprout quickly can hold the attention of children who are new to gardening. Many different plants fit this bill. Beans, peas, sunflower seeds, and bell pepper seeds are easy to start and germinate quickly. In addition, many leafy vegetables, such as chard, lettuce, spinach, and mustard, germinate in three to five days. Herbs, such as basil and parsley, also sprout fast. All of these plants are good options for introducing children to gardening, as each provides quick gratification.

To further interest children, it is a good idea to plant seeds in a way that allows youngsters to monitor the progress of growth. Use a transparent container, SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2017

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such as rinsed-out glass jars and canisters, to house the plant. Such containers give kids an unobstructed view of the process, during which children can plot the progress of seed germination and easily spot root and stem development.

Once the seedlings grow larger, they can be transplanted into different containers.

Many seedlings can sprout with water alone.

Children can easily grow new plants from clippings of a mature plant left resting in a shallow cup of water, and seeds may not even need soil to germinate. Kids may have luck sprinkling seeds on a dampened, crumpled-up piece of paper towel. Cotton balls also make a good place to nestle seeds. Either material will hold on to water, keeping the seeds moist until they sprout.

Afterward, the seedlings can be carefully moved into a soil-and-compost mix. The paper towel and the cotton balls will decompose and add to the organic matter already in the soil.

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Edible plants often make good choices for children because kids can reap the rewards of their efforts. Herbs can be sprinkled onto food, or fruits and vegetables can be grown in containers and then served at mealtime. Kids can show pride in their accomplishments, especially if they have tangible results on the dinner plate.

Children who want to try something different can explore other types of plants. Aquatic plants, or those found at the pet store to grow in aquariums, can be easy to grow. They need little more than a container, fresh water and sunlight.

Cacti and other succulents are also fun to explore. These plants are quite hardy in that they can stand up to moderate abuse, such as failure to water frequently enough. The unique appearance of cacti make them interesting focal points for an indoor garden.

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Stop the spread Efforts continue to control aquatic invasive species STORY & PHOTOS BY MEAGAN PITTELKO

I

f you’ve lived in lakes country for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard about aquatic invasive species-the small and oftentimes microscopic plants and animals that inhabit lakes throughout the country. In the midst of all the other signage you pass each day, you’ve undoubtedly seen the, “Stop aquatic hitchhikers!” billboards and may have noticed the warning signs posted at the entrance points to local lakes.

However, before you head out onto the water this spring and summer, grab a cold beverage and take a moment to refresh your knowledge of why those billboards and signs exist.

UNDERSTANDING AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES

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A sign in Detroit Lakes reads, “Help stop aquatic hitchhikers!” The sign urges lake goers to remove aquatic species, drain their watercrafts and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2017

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are, at their core, simply nonindigenous plants and animals that find their way into bodies of water. However, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there’s much more to them than that.

These species can, according to the USDA webpage, “threaten the diversity or abundance of native species, the ecological stability of infested waters, and/or any commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent on such waters.”

And that’s exactly what Karl Koenig, AIS Coordinator for Becker Soil & Water Conservation District, said is happening to the lakes in Becker County.

“Very broadly, invasive plants--like Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush and invasive macroalgae like Starry

Zebra mussels attach to a native mussel. Zebra mussels are small, fingernail-sized animals that attach to solid surfaces in water.

Stonewort--can affect boating and swimming and water recreation,” he explained.

“Invasive animals, then--like the zebra mussel or spiny waterflea--can affect the plankton populations in lakes, lead to changes in water quality, impact the lake food chains or lead to increased plant growth. So, they can also affect recreational use of lakes.”

Tera Guetter, an administrator at the Pelican River Watershed District and a former president of the Becker County Coalition of Lakes Association, explained that this change in recreational use can, in turn, heavily impact the economy.

“The lakes in our area are more than economic engines,” she said. “People are retiring here and younger professionals are wanting to stay here and raise their families. So, for us, water has always been very important.”

In addition to the recreational ramifications, Guetter explained that AIS can cause ecological changes, too.

“Different species have different impacts,” she said. “In some lakes, the invasive species have established themselves and can then provide some sort of habitat for fisheries but, in some, invasive species will take over the lake. For example, zebra mussels can attach to plants. So, if you like to fish and are looking for those weed lines, the mussels will weigh those plant lines down and reduce the habitat for the fish.”

In short, from reducing fish habitats to changing the very composition of the lakes they infest, AIS can greatly impact the ecology and recreational usability of lakes, hurting the economy of towns that depend on lake usage.

“Invasive species affect the ability

to use motorized boats, to swim, to fish,” Koenig said. “Our county’s lakes are a tremendous asset that we’re trying to protect the best we can.”

STOPPING THE SPREAD

So, now that you know why it’s important to halt the journey of AIS through our lakes, what steps do you need to take before--and after--plunging your boat into the water?

According to Koenig, “It’s fairly simple. If it didn’t come from the lake you’re visiting, don’t put it in the lake.”

Three steps--cleaning your watercraft, draining water-related equipment and disposing of unwanted bait--are required by law. Another step, drying your equipment, is also important to keep in mind, Koenig said.

Before taking to the water, then, remember to: 1. CLEAN your watercraft. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), make sure you clean “all visible aquatic plants, zebra mussels and other prohibited invasive species from watercrafts, trailers and water-related equipment before leaving any water access or shoreland.”

Koenig added that Becker County offers a decontamination service, which

consists of a portable pressure washer containing hot water. He explained that the hot water removes and kills invasive species, many of which are microscopic and likely won’t be noticed by the naked eye.

2. DRAIN any water-related equipment.

The DNR website explains that this step includes draining your boat, ballast tanks, portable bait containers, motor, bilge, livewell and baitwell by removing drain plugs before leaving a water access or shoreline property.

The DNR also instructs lake-goers to “keep drain plugs out and waterdraining devices open while transporting watercraft.”

3. DRY your aquatic equipment. Koenig explained that, while you aren’t required to dry your equipment by law, thoroughly drying it after leaving the lake adds an extra level of assurance and reduces the risk of transporting an invasive species. The DNR added that, especially after leaving lakes known to be inhabited by zebra mussels and spiny waterfleas, you should spray your equipment with high-pressure water, rinse with very hot water and dry the equipment for at least 5 days.

Docks and lifts, on the other hand, must be dried for 21 days prior to being moved to another body of water.

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Dan Larkin, (left) Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota, inspects a mass of starry stonewort.

Starry stonewort (Above right) is an aquatic invasive plant. It is a grasslike algae that is not native to North America. (Dave Hansen/Submitted Photo)

4. DISPOSE of all unwanted bait in the trash--not in the lakes or on the ground, Koenig said. The DNR reminds boaters that, “It is illegal to release bait into a waterbody or release aquatic animals from one waterbody to another.”

Whether you’re docking your boat

for the weekend or heading down the road to another lake, remember that a few simple steps can help preserve your favorite lakes.

“If you tie your boat up for a week at your house, for example, zebra mussels can attach to that, so lakeshore property owners can also contribute to the spread of invasive species,” Koenig explained.

“But, even if you’re just going a few miles from one lake to another, lakes are really complex. What could be a big problem in this lake, well--the lake right down the road could have a different chemistry and might have a different outcome if an invasive species was introduced there. Due to the complexity of the lake ecosystems, we can’t fully anticipate the long-term conse-

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AIS Detectors learn to report potential aquatic invasive species using an app. AIS Detectors are required to take an online course in addition to a one-day, in-person workshop. (Dan Larkin/Submitted Photo)

quences of the introduction of an invasive species. So, play it safe and try to keep the lakes how they are.”

GETTING INVOLVED

While every lake-goer can get involved in the fight against spreading invasive species by properly caring for aquatic equipment, there are also opportunities to get more direct, hands-on experience within Becker County and across the state of Minnesota.

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A piece of Eurasian watermilfoil sits next to a penny, illustrating the size of the invasive plant.

(Christine Lee/ Submitted Photo)

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SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2017

According to Koenig, it’s important for the community to be aware of the presence of invasive species in local lakes because of the impact such species have on the surrounding area.

“Water recreation is very important for local businesses in Becker County and it’s a rich, important local tradition,” he said. “Plus, the economic impact is powerful. There wouldn’t be a town here if Detroit Lake wasn’t here--we underestimate it. But, to some people, it’s the idea that the lakes deserve some respect. The lakes have provided their fun, their enjoyment and their economic stability, so they don’t want them to bear the burden of these species.”

With that in mind, Becker County is currently looking for Seasonal AIS Inspectors to educate the public on invasive species prevention practices, to conduct watercraft inspections and to deny lake access or direct a watercraft to decontamination if an AIS is present. Applications are available on the Becker County website.

In addition to local efforts, a new statewide effort will launch for the first time this year.

Megan Weber, Aquatic Invasive Species Extension Educator for the University of Minnesota Extension, explained that the new AIS Detectors program will allow participants across the state to work hand-in-hand with the DNR.

“The program was developed after we recognized an unmet need for a consistent, statewide monitoring program to watch for these invasive species,” she said. “It provides a strong connection to the DNR, because Detectors can actually help and get to know their AIS specialists. They also learn how to provide good, quality reports to the DNR and have the opportunity to work on education, outreach, research and other projects that may come up.”

Participants in the grant-funded program must be 18 years or older and are required to engage in one online training course as well as one in-person workshop prior to beginning their work as a Detector. A $175 fee is required, as well, but scholarships are available to those that cannot afford to pay the fee.

Online registration is still open--with a Detroit Lakes workshop date set for May 4--and Weber said that, although many participants are those involved in lake associations or nature organizations, any nature enthusiast is encouraged to register. For more information or to register, visit https://www.maisrc.umn.edu/ ais-detector.

“You would make a great Detector,” Weber said, “if you’re someone who is excited about being outdoors and who loves the lakes and nature in Minnesota.”

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