Demonstrations

Nick and his family live on the north shore of Lake Superior where he builds timber frames and custom homes. He will be demonstrating timber framing techniques throughout the entire event. Nick is a wealth of knowledge about timber framing, cutting edge building science, and environmentally responsible building techniques.

Dan is an arborist who has been climbing trees since he was a little boy.  Join him at the start of the event in the activities area where he will show how to set up a climb and demonstrate trimming a tall tree.

Adam, now an associate professor at the Iowa State University, showed prize winning sheep in 4-H during high school.  During the event he will show how to shear a sheep, keeping the fleece in tact and explain the skirting process.

Ty lived in Japan where he learned the art of origami.  Watch him demonstrate this ancient art of folding paper to create beautiful sculptures.

Asa teaches courses on narrative and storytelling at the University of Minnesota and will lead a story circle about farming, agriculture, and connections to the land. Join the group and share your stories on these common themes. As each person shares a story in turn, a richer and more complex story will emerge. Afterward, we'll discuss the experience, the themes, and appreciate the common bonds we have with the land.

Paul, co-founder and executive director of The Plant Initiative, will lead a discussion on thinking about plants as sentient and sensitive beings.  The discussion will related to the following questions: Are plants and animals all that different? What are some ways that we can and should relate to trees and other plants more respectfully?

Lynn, recently retired from the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, where she specialized in essential oil treatment to alleviate pain, nausea and anxiety.  Join her in the activities area where she will share the medicinal properties of plants and herbs commonly grown in gardens.

Allissa  is the owner and director of Mudita Wellness and creator of the River Valley Yoga Festival.  Join as she takes us on an co-generational healing journey of yoga and simple stretching practices for people eight to 80 years of age.

Ingrid, owner of On Point Veterinary Services, is a clinical acupuncturist. She will explain the benefits of acupressure treatments and demonstrate how to do an acupressure points/massage with the horses.

 Margo is a puppeteer, practiced in the world of bringing objects to life with movement, voice, and spark of spirit in the moment. The show is called “Looking Close into Our World” starring Ollie McNutt! 

Jen is a holistic nurse and a health & spirituality coach who leads movement classes and events. She will close the event with intention to ground us to the land, to the ancestors and to one another.

Jess and Tim Veurink, owners of Premier Machine Farm & Carriage, will take you on a horse-drawn wagon ride around the farm.  Rides happen every fifteen minutes between 1:00 - 4:00. Look for more information on the event schedule.

Ian will read passages from his recently released book, Soil & Spirit: Seeds of Purpose, Nature's Insight, & the Deep Work of Transformational Change. The book, Soil & Spirit is rooted in experiential awareness of self, and others, in the natural world; an inward journey to create outer transformation. Readings will be followed by a brief guided reflection process to help others listen and lean into their unique place on planet earth.

Slowing down in natural settings allows us to experience the world around us more deeply—and that’s when we begin to notice tiny worlds. Take a walk with artist, designer, and Minnesota Master Naturalist Karen Kopacz, gather tiny tings to make tiny art, and cultivate curiosity and creativity. Karen will share stories about some of the tiny worlds in her drawings and practices she returns to in her journey to the small. See when these walks take place on the program schedule.