Wedge Co-Op Purchases Gardens Of Eagan
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Wedge Co-op, a natural and organic food cooperative with more than 13,000 member-owners based here, closed a deal to purchase Farmington, Minn.-based Gardens of Eagan, a certified organic farm.
As part of the purchase, Wedge intends to greatly expand its education
outreach among its members, shoppers and the broader community of where food comes from and how it's produced, among others.
Linda Halley, a 2003 Farmer of the Year and 20-year veteran of farm management in Wisconsin and Southern California, will become Gardens of Eagan's manager.
The transition of ownership will begin Jan. 1, 2008, when a two-year lease
goes into effect. Within those two years, Wedge will exercise its option
to purchase.
"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, Wedge Co-Op's g.m.
As part of the purchase, Wedge intends to greatly expand its education
outreach among its members, shoppers and the broader community of where food comes from and how it's produced, among others.
Linda Halley, a 2003 Farmer of the Year and 20-year veteran of farm management in Wisconsin and Southern California, will become Gardens of Eagan's manager.
The transition of ownership will begin Jan. 1, 2008, when a two-year lease
goes into effect. Within those two years, Wedge will exercise its option
to purchase.
"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, Wedge Co-Op's g.m.