Minnesota Ag Connection - Erickson to Speak in Winona Nov. 15 in Sustainable Ag Series

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Erickson to Speak in Winona Nov. 15 in Sustainable Ag Series
Minnesota Ag Connection - 11/15/2018

This fall, the Sustainable Agriculture Speaker Series at Minnesota State College Southeast is continuing to offer the opportunity to meet with experts who are challenging conventional food and farming systems with alternatives that are socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.

On Nov. 15, Norm Erickson will discuss his experience with growing hazelnuts as a sustainable and environmentally friendly crop yielding a variety of products including food, oil, feed, and biodiesel. Join Norm to learn how farmers can grow this perennial crop and produce renewable energy for economic and environmental security while contributing to a sustainable future in Minnesota and beyond.

Social hour is 5-6 p.m. and the presentation is from 6-7 p.m. at MSC Southeast Winona Campus, 1250 Homer Rd., Winona. Cost is $15 per meeting; students free with college ID.

Norm and Mary Erickson are the owners/operators of Hazelnut Valley Farm LLC in Lake City where they produce roasted hazelnuts, hazelnut oil for skin care, and seedlings. Norm will explain the potential of hazelnuts in Minnesota as a sustainable and environmentally friendly crop yielding a variety of products. In addition to nut production, Norm's farm also boasts a unique greenhouse with innovative use of solar energy and energy storage.

Hazelnut Valley Farm was recently featured in an article in the Red Wing Republican-Eagle (July 24, 2018), which noted that, "Norman Erickson never gets sick of hazelnuts. The city boy turned farmer even has a license plate on his truck that says HAZLNUT."

The college's Sustainable Agriculture Speaker Series will conclude on Dec. 13 when instructors Bruno Borsari and Liz Micheel will introduce the new Sustainable Food and Farming degree program at MSC Southeast.

To register for the Sustainable Agriculture Speaker Series go to southeastmn.edu/training or call 507-453-2740.

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