CommonGround kicks off spring events
Above: CommonGround Minnesota volunteers (from left to right) Barb Liebenstein, Katie Brenny and Rachel Gray participate in a panel discussion during a March 24 event.
Spring has sprung, and CommonGround Minnesota’s events for the year have begun.
Every March we celebrate women and their contributions to history, culture and society as Women’s History Month is recognized nationwide. In honor of the occasion, CommonGround Minnesota celebrated the contributions of women in agriculture and food with a small group of special guests on March 24.
The event, Women’s HERstory Month: Celebrating Women in Food + Agriculture, was an intimate dinner for local media, bloggers, and social media influencers hosted at The Lynhall in Minneapolis. The goal was to connect guests with volunteer farmers for conversations about food and agriculture.
With fewer consumers having a connection to the farm, CommonGround Minnesota sees the value and opportunity to build connections and share information about modern agriculture. Volunteers spent the entirety of the event, from happy hour to dinner, starting and continuing those conversations. Attendees left with a wealth of knowledge and information about a variety of topics. With approximately 30 guests in total, the small setting allowed for many one-on-one conversations, and guests came prepared with questions about food and farming.
“I learned you can check exactly where/which farm your meat comes from while at the grocery, because most have QR codes now,” said Falen Bonsett, a morning show host for the Twin Cities-based radio station KDWB. “This was a great event where I learned a lot and met so many amazing people.”
[More: Read past stories about CommonGround Minnesota]
At the conclusion of dinner, a question-and-answer panel was led by the farmer volunteers. Katie Brenny, Rachel Gray, and Barb Liebenstein spoke about their lives on the farm, sustainability, and upcoming and current technology in agriculture.
“It was a special evening of conversation,” blogger Lisa Baker (@twincitiesfrugalmom) said. “I got to chat directly with women farmers in Minnesota and learn so many interesting things about their work and families. These women farmers were such an inspiration.”
After a successful event, CommonGround Minnesota is now preparing for additional events later this spring, including the Women Run the Cities race on May 21.
To learn more about CommonGround Minnesota, visit commongroundminnesota.com.
