In 1990 a group of farmers, social justice activists and local church members got together at the first Local Changes for Global Solutions Conference. The goal of the conference was to provide a forum for discussion of environmental, peace, and justice issues while initiating lasting links between urban and rural communities. Out of the forum grew the idea for the Bayfront Harvest Festival, created to focus on urban-rural partnerships.

• use fewer pesticides and synthetic fertilizers,
• reduce soil erosion,
• protect water quality,
• treat animals humanely and
• increase the diversity of the area’s food production.

Family Style

The festival is also an event for entire families. From the food for sale and the tasty samples at the farmers market to the games, demonstrations, farm animals, live music and activities, the waterfront of Lake Superior in Duluth is transformed for a day. The cost of the festival is free, and the only thing necessary is an appreciation of the fine fare offered by local farmers.

By highlighting local and regional farmers and their produce, the Bayfront Harvest Festival, aims to restore farm culture. The goal is not an idealized bucolic image of life on a farm, but rather an example of sustainable methods of farming aimed at educating current farmers and potential farmers about alternatives to current farming practices. At the festival there are livestock demonstrations about production systems that provide profitable and palatable alternatives to confinement systems. There are also seminars on natural weed and pest control without the use of chemicals or synthetic fertilizers.

Joel Rosen, current president of the SFA and a local farmer, reflects on the festival stating that “It’s amazing the shock on people’s faces when they bite into something fresh and naturally ripe; the sugar content just blows them away.” By exposing people to the merits of produce and meat produced using sustainable methods, the Bayfront Harvest Festival aims to restore regional agriculture through:

• creating jobs on the land
• forming a regionally-based food system,
• reducing the amount of energy and transportation that go into shipping food and
• restoring rural communities.

Minnesota’s High Quality Agriculture

Whether it is CSA farmers or independent growers the Bayfront Harvest Festival showcases some of the highest quality agricultural produce in Minnesota. From cucumbers, parsnips, sweet corn, tomatoes, and peppers to herbs and much, much more, the amount of produce available at the festival is astonishing. The participants in the festival are all committed to caring for the land and the use of environmentally sustainable methods. They are also committed to regional alliances and the formation of markets for their products. There is a social element to sustainable agriculture, says Joel. “We are attempting to create a lifestyle that works for families and one that future generations might be able to choose for themselves.”