From field to fork: creating models that nourish land and food

"Eating is a Moral Act: Watersheds, Locally Grown Food and a Healthy Rural Economy," is the title of a symposium to be offered to area residents on Tuesday, January 15, 2002, 7:00 p.m. at the United Church of Christ in New Ulm. In case of inclement weather it will be held January 24.

Presenters will be Sister Mary Techany, SSND, from the Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry Center, Mankato, and Terry Van Der Pol, farmer and Land Stewardship Project member. Terry will address "Sustaining our Communities and Improving our River Environment through Food Production and Consumption Choices: A Western Minnesota Model." Sister Mary will address the spiritual underpinnings inherent in our Christian heritage that guide our decisions in response to this issue in her talk entitled "Personal Choices: Spiritual Values that Support Us."

The evening is sponsored by the Minnesota Earth Sabbath Team (MEST), an ecumenical partnership united by a conviction of our interdependence with and responsibility toward the whole of creation. The team works to help re-establish humankind’s spiritual connection to our earth, with a special commitment to the Minnesota River Basin.

All are invited to reserve this date and are encouraged to attend.