Wedge to expand Garden’s community and education outreach, ensure preservation of the Minnesota farm
MINNEAPOLIS – The Wedge Co-op, a Minneapolis-based natural and organic food cooperative with more than 13,000 member-owners, today announced its intent to purchase Gardens of Eagan, a celebrated certified organic farm in Farmington, Minn.
As part of this purchase, The Wedge seeks to greatly expand its education outreach, deepening its members’, shoppers’ and the broader community’s understanding of where their food comes from, and how production, distribution and purchasing decisions effect the environment, people and the world.
Linda Halley, a 2003 Farmer of the Year and 20-year veteran of farm management in Wisconsin and Southern California, including Harmony Valley Farms in Viroqua, Wis., will become Gardens of Eagan’s manager.
Gardens of Eagan owners Martin and Atina Diffley have devoted the past 35 years to growing produce organically for the Twin Cities community, friends and their family. Their popular produce, including sweet corn, tomatoes, melons and a variety of other crops, is available in season at the Wedge and other Twin Cities’ natural food co-ops and other area stores.
“Martin and I knew we didn’t want to keep farming into our senior years and that our children did not want to take over the farm,” said Atina Diffley. “So, in recent years, we asked, “how can we protect the integrity of the farm without owning it?”
“About 18 months ago, we shared our feelings with the Wedge, our largest customer,” Diffley continued. “Their purchase of the farm was one of the solutions we suggested, and that conversation evolved into the agreement we’ve reached today.”
The transition of ownership will begin Jan. 1, 2008, when a two-year lease goes into effect. Within those two years the Wedge will exercise its option to purchase. The farm will be owned and operated by the Wedge as Gardens of Eagan in the form of an LLC.
“Owning an organic farm, particularly one so close to the city, will allow us to broaden our outreach through organic farming internships, tours and other learning opportunities that help people better understand organic farming,” said Lindy Bannister, general manager of The Wedge. “Gardens of Eagan already is doing this, and we hope to expand it. We’re also delighted the Diffleys will continue to be a part of Gardens of Eagan by centering their ongoing organic farming research and educational and community outreach at the farm.
Bannister also noted the Wedge’s purchase of Gardens of Eagan helps secure an indefinite supply of organic produce for the Wedge, its fellow area co-ops, and other Twin Cities outlets.
“Through the purchase of Gardens of Eagan, we are ensuring the farm will not be bought by an entity that would convert the land to conventional farming or develop the land for something other than farming,” she said.
The Wedge will continue to support and purchase produce from other farms, and Bannister noted that they hope their direct involvement in farming will strengthen their ability to support other existing farms. Similarly, the Wedge will continue working in cooperation with Gardens of Eagan’s existing accounts.
Linda Halley to Serve as Farm Manager
Halley will become Gardens of Eagan’s manager Jan. 1, 2008. She comes to the farm after serving as general manager of Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens in Santa Barbara, Calif., a non-profit, 100 year old organic farm dedicated in part to educating the community on the viability of organic farming. There, she educated school children, farming interns and community groups on organic farming and sustainable eating. During her tenure at Fairview Gardens she established teaching partnerships with the University of California – Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College, redesigned the farm apprenticeship curriculum, and doubled the number of families who participated in Community Supported Agriculture.
Previously, Halley co-owned and operated Harmony Valley Farm in Viroqua, Wis., a celebrated and diverse organic produce and Angus operation. In 2003, the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service named Halley Farmer of the Year as part of her co-ownership with Harmony Valley.
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The Wedge Co-op is a natural and organic food cooperative with more than 13,000 member-owners who live in Uptown, downtown and throughout the Twin Cities. Founded in 1974, the Wedge has grown to become the largest single store, consumer-owned, natural food cooperative in the United States. The co-op is dedicated to offering the freshest, highest-quality natural, local, and organic foods, and the most friendly, informed staff of any grocer in the Twin Cities.
