Urgent: Over 300 Attend ‘The Ground We Share’ Event on Soil Health
UPDATE: More than 300 people gathered on September 9, 2023, at the Luther College Center for Faith and Life for ‘The Ground We Share: Conversations on Soil, Food, and Human Health.’ The event, featuring renowned author Anne Bikle, sparked urgent discussions on the critical link between soil health and human nutrition.
Attendees engaged in interactive exhibits, inspiring performances, and a diverse panel that included local farmers and health care professionals. “Food is indisputably on the frontlines of the human immune system,” stated local farmer Rick Matt. “Bikle emphasized the connection between healthy soil and healthy eating. We must pay attention to what we eat and how it was raised.”
Organized with support from over 20 local organizations, the event showcased the pivotal role of agriculture in community health. Partners like the Decorah Public Library and Emplify by Gundersen Health Library offered book check-outs, while the Oneota Community Food Co-op provided tasting opportunities. The Winneshiek County Soil and Water Conservation District shared essential resources on regenerative agriculture.
Eighty-eight-year-old farmer Sheri Borcherding, who has dedicated over 60 years to farming, expressed the urgency of the issue: “Our livelihood depends on the soil, and regenerating it is crucial to our very existence.” The event resonated deeply with attendees, including Maren Beard, co-owner of Luna Valley Farm. She dedicated her entire farm newsletter to the insights gained, underscoring the delicate balance of soil and water in the Driftless region. “Healthy soils will produce food that is more nutrient-dense,” Beard emphasized.
Farmer Robby Jewell highlighted the cooperative effort needed between farmers and consumers: “Farmers and ranchers hold the steering wheel to our soil’s health. Consumers are the gas pedal. We need both working together to achieve a sustainable future.”
The immediate relevance of this event cannot be overstated. With global concerns about food security and health, the discussions from ‘The Ground We Share’ are vital for communities everywhere. As farmers, health care providers, and consumers unite, the path toward healthier soil and food systems is clearer than ever.
For further information and insights from the event, visit luther.edu/event/the-ground-we-share-conversations-on-soil-food-and-health. This event is a call to action for everyone to engage in the health of our soil and, consequently, our bodies. Don’t miss out on the latest developments in this crucial conversation.
