I've just returned from a four day vacation to Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior. The trip started in Duluth for a tour of the Duluth Grill's parking lot orchard and urban farm. I was a supporter of their recent Kickstarter campaign to fund the project, and a tour with farm manager Francois was my reward.
Francois, rugged in appearance and eloquent in nature, is doing amazing work on the West side of Duluth - the urban farm, the Hugelkultur orchard, the bees on the roof, the rain garden - growing good clean food sustainably, and beautify a community that's otherwise mostly run-down. And he seems thrilled to be doing the work, believing that people living in a city should have an opportunity to be surrounded by the beauty that plants, wildlife, and a complete eco-system can provide.
We spent several hours talking. Starting in the restaurant's parking lot where he has planted several raised beds and installed the Hugelkutur bed that will become the orchard. We eventually made our way up the hill in a truck I wasn't entirely sure would make it to visit the greenhouse, the aquaponic system, and the rest of the farm. As we talked and wandered, Francois continually harvested bits of plants encouraging a taste. I graciously walked away from the tour with a box full of produce, a few plants for my own garden including an Aronia Berry (Choke Berry), and a huge dose of inspiration.
There are times in our lives when we cross paths with someone new and we are forever glad for it. This was one of those times. Francois is full of words and a passion for plants and he very generously shared both.
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