Shows and demonstrations
The Sustainability Stage is the Eco Experience’s location for environmental demonstrations, entertainment, and presentations.
Special events on the Sustainability Stage
Youth voices of change: Climate change youth video competition
- Friday, August 23 at 7 p.m.
Youth entering grades 4-12 will share how they are engaging in solutions to climate change in their own homes, schools and communities. At least ten finalist's videos from the Will Steger Foundation and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Youth Voices of Change: Climate Change Youth Video Competition will be shown. You'll get to meet the film creators, too! Awards will be presented in six categories
Adventures far away: A Minnesota filmmaker's adventures
- Saturday, August 31 at 7 p.m.
Emmy-nominated adventure traveler and filmmaker J.J. Kelley will share video and stories from his liveliest adventures. Come travel in a primitive rowboat down the Ganges River in India, pose as an illicit ivory buyer in Dar es Salaam, and paddle a homemade kayak from Alaska to Seattle. Kelley makes films for National Geographic and started his own adventure documentary company, both of which keep him pretty busy. The guy spends about 40% of his life tromping about in a far off lands.
Sustainability Stage and landscape demonstration schedule
Thursday, August 22
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Clearwater Band: Music with an Environmental Theme Presented by Carolyn Dindorf
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
Noon - Add New Life to Your Food, Learn To Ferment For Your Health And The Earth's! Presented by Lisa Yantachka, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
2 pm - Efficiency of Air Source Heat Pumps: Presented by Jeff Haase, Great River Energy
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
4 pm - Clean Air Choices: Presented by Lisa Thurstin, American Lung Association
5 pm - Creating an Allergy Free Home: Presented by Shalee Oleson, Eco Shalee LLC
6 pm - Beautiful Flooring Options made From Sustainable Materials: Presented by Lynne Jensen Nelson, Natural Build Home
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Vertical Gardening
Grow more by growing up. How growing on walls and fences can create new garden opportunities and unique architecture.
Friday, August 23
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Clearing the Air with Personal Horsepower: Presented by Larry Johnson, Key of See Storytellers
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with Farm to School recipes and samples by Hopkins Schools Nutrition and Lifestyle Services.
Noon - What's Next for Local Foods in Schools? Presented by Barbara Mechura, Hopkins Public Schools
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with Farm to School recipes and samples by Hopkins Schools Nutrition and Lifestyle Services.
2 pm - Community Solar Gardens: What is it? Presented by: Laura Burrington, American Renewable Energy Society
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
4 pm - Organic Lawn Care: Presented by Bob Dahm, Organic Bob LLC
5 pm - The Transition Movement: Transitioning to a Sustainable Lifestyle: Presented by Leslie MacKenzie, Transition Longfellow
6 pm - Organic Lawn Care: Presented byBob Dahm, Organic Bob LLC
7 pm - Youth voices of change: Climate change youth video competition: Presented by the Will Steger Foundation and youth film finalists
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Chickens in the city:
Can you have chickens in the city? Yes! The demonstration will answer all your questions about raising chickens in the city. Presented by Eggplant Urban Farm Supply.
Saturday, August 24
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside’s cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we’ll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Rain Barrels: Easy, Beneficial: Presented by Elena Kotowski, Barrel Depot
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
Noon - The Urban and Suburban Homestead: Presented by Russ Henry, Giving Tree Gardens
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
2 pm - Eco Fashion Show: Presented by Anupama Pasricha, St. Catherine University
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
4 pm - Eco Fashion Show: Presented by Anupama Pasricha, St. Catherine University
5 pm - Fix It. Don’t Nix It: Presented by Katherine Hayes, Fixity
6 pm - Permaculture and Resiliency: Presented by Rob Czernik, Center for Deep Ecology
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Straw Bale Gardening
Grow more, faster with less weeding with straw bale gardening. Demonstration by author Joel Karsten.
Sunday, August 25
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Mason Jar Mania: Presented by Dolo Eggert, The Arc Greater Twin Cities
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
Noon - Mason Jar Mania: Presented by Dolo Eggert, The Arc Greater Twin Citiesns
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
2 pm - Gardening and Education: Deep Learning while Helping the Hungry Presented by Barbara Curchack, Inver Hills CommunityCollege, and August Hoffman, Metro State University
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
4 pm - Transforming Waste to Wearables: Who Knew Your Old Stuff Could Look So Good? Presented by Anita Stech, Cut Loose Creations
5 pm - All that Glitters: Beautiful Countertops Made From Sustainable and Recycled Materials: Presented by Lynne Jensen Nelson, Natural Build Home
6 pm - Woodshop Rides the Rails Music by Jeff Schwartz, Woodshop Band
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Urban Beekeeping
Susan Brown will talk about how you can produce your own honey through beekeeping in the city. Come hear her unique experiences keeping bees on sky scrapers in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Monday, August 26
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Honey Bees, Pollinators, and You! Presented by Erin Rupp, Beez Kneez
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
Noon - Honey Bees, Pollinators, and You! Presented by Erin Rupp, Beez Kneez
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
2 pm - Fix It. Don’t Nix It: Presented by Katherine Hayes, Fixity
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
4 pm - Choosing Quality Products for your Solar Installation: Presented by Dan Williams, Newport Solar Development
5 pm - Black Gold! Presented by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
6 pm - CREATE: The Community Meal: Presented by Seitu Jones
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Permaculture
Abundant gardens that work with nature. Harvest Moon Backyard Farmers will talk about how to design and grow gardens that require less fertilizer, water and produce more great food.
Tuesday, August 27
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Step Right Up to the Latest Solar News: Presented by Rebecca Lundberg, Powerfully Green
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
Noon - SEWERMAN! Presented by David Legvold, Minnesota Waters
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
2 pm - Worm Composting in Your Home: Presented by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
4 pm - SEWERMAN! Presented by David Legvold, Minnesota Waters
5 pm - If Your Walls Could Talk! Learn more about Eco-Friendly Wall Finishes: Presented by Lynne Jensen Nelson, Natural Build Home
6 pm - Climbing out of the Toxic Soup: How to Purchase Products Safe For You and Our Water Presented by Kim LaBo, Clean Water Action
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Incorporating Vegetables, Bees and Chickens into your perfect backyard garden design
Abundant gardens that work with nature. Harvest Moon Backyard Farmers will talk about how to design and grow gardens that require less fertilizer, water and produce more great food.
Wednesday, August 28
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Storm Water Management through the use of Permeable Pavers: Presented by Tim Oberg, Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
Noon - Solar Powered into the Future? Presented by Rebecca Lundberg, Powerfully Green
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
2 pm - Growing Organic Food Sustainably Using Biomass Heating: Presented by Bruce Carman, Silver Bay Eco-Park
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
4 pm - Cooking with Kids As Quality Time Presented by Jenny Breen
5 pm - Growing Organic Food Sustainably Using Biomass Heating: Presented by Bruce Carman, Silver Bay Eco-Park
6 pm - Cooking with Kids As Quality Time Presented by Jenny Breen
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Edible Container Design
Learn how to design and grow interesting, productive and beautiful plant combinations for pots, troughs and planters.
Thursday, August 29
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Hello Functional Landscapes, Goodbye Ornamentals: Lawn Chair Gardening with the Future in Mind Presented by Dawn Pape, Lawn Chair Gardener
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
Noon - Off the Grid on a Budget: Presented by Paul Neseth, Mike Larson, and Linda Nelson, Locus Architecture
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
2 pm - H2O for Life: Be Part of the Ripple Effect! Presented by Patty Hall, H2O For Life
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
4 pm - Design-Build for Sustainability: Presented by the University of Minnesota College of Design
5 pm - Gen Y Lifestyle Preferences: Presented by the University of Minnesota College of Design
6 pm - Show Me The Money: 10 Simple Sustainability Steps: Presented by Terry Gips, Alliance for Sustainability
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Straw bale gardening
Grow more, faster with less weeding with straw bale gardening. Demonstration by author Joel Karsten.
Friday, August 30
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Eating Sustainably: Living Longer, Healthier, and Cheaper while Protecting the Earth Presented by Annalee Wolf and Terry Gips
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
Noon - Home To Homestead: Presented by Elizabeth Ries, KSTP and Twin Cities Live
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
2 pm - Show Me The Money: 10 Simple Sustainability Steps: Presented by Terry Gips, Alliance for Sustainability
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
4 pm - Community Supported Organic Farms and Conventional Farms: The Real Dirt Presented by Legvold Farms and Open Hands Farm
5 pm - Superior Dream: Circumnavigation of the World’s Largest Lake: Presented by Greg Petry, Superior Dream
6 pm - Wind Energy Jeopardy! Presented by Windustry
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Urban Beekeeping
Susan Brown will talk about how you can produce your own honey through beekeeping in the city. Come hear her unique experiences keeping bees on skyscrapers in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Saturday, August 31
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Minnesota Drinking Water Taste Test: Presented by the Minnesota Department of Health and the American Water Works Association
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
Noon - Refashion Your Wardrobe with Sassy Secondhand Style: Presented by Michelle Dustin, Arc Value Village Thrift Stores
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
2 pm - Refashion Your Wardrobe with Sassy Secondhand Style: Presented by Michelle Dustin, Arc Value Village Thrift Stores
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
4 pm - Electric Vehicles in Minnesota: Presented by Jukka Kukkonen, PluginConnect LLC
5 pm - Solar Options and Economics-How to Assess a Building for Solar: Presented by Todd Fink
6 pm - Food, Nature and Culture - Building an Urban Oasis: Presented by Tracy Sides, Bravely Be
7 pm - Adventures far away: A Minnesota filmmaker's adventures: Presented by JJ Kelley, Dudes on Media
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Chickens in the city
Can you have chickens in the city? Yes! This demonstration will answer all your questions about raising chickens in the city. Presented by Eggplant Urban Farm Supply.
Sunday, September 1
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - Hennepin County Fix-it Clinic: Presented by Nancy Lo, Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
Noon - Using online Tools to Plan Your Next Bike Ride: Presented by Doug Shidell, Bikeverywhere
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
2 pm - Carless in Duluth: Presented by Rheanna Letsos
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration with recipes and samples by Chef Ani, Whole Foods
4 pm - Farm in the City - How Any Landscape can be a Rich Productive Agro-ecosystem: Presented by Michael Pursell, Growing Lots Urban Farm
5 pm - Farm in the City - How Any Landscape can be a Rich Productive Agro-ecosystem: Presented by Michael Pursell, Growing Lots Urban Farm
6 pm - Wind Energy Jeopardy! Presented by Windustry
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Permaculture
Abundant gardens that work with nature.Harvest Moon Backyard Farmers will talk about how to design and grow gardens that require less fertilizer, water and produce more great food.
Monday, September 2
Sustainability Stage
The indoor stage hosts presentations, cooking demonstrations, films, and music on the hour. NEW this year, the Renewing the Countryside's cooking demonstrations will be a part of the Sustainability Stage. This means we'll have a bigger stage and more seating for all shows.
10 am - H2O for Life - Educating Youth about Global Water: Presented by Patty Hall, H2O For Life
11 am - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
Noon - SEWERMAN! Presented by David Legvold, Minnesota Waters
1 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
2 pm - Low Waste Meals: Presented by Eva Lewandowski, Do it Green! Minnesota
3 pm - Healthy Local Food cooking demonstration
4 pm - Add New Life to Your Food, Learn To Ferment For Your Health And The Earth’s! Presented by Lisa Yantachka, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
5 pm - Community Solar Gardens: What is it? Presented by Laura Burrington, American Renewable Energy Society
6 pm - Food, Nature and Culture: Building an Urban Oasis: Presented by Tracy Sides, Bravely Be
7 pm - Farm to School films: Examples of the benefits to school children, families, schools, farmers, and communities Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Landscape Demonstrations
Field Outdoor Spaces is hosting a landscape demonstration in front of the Eco Experience building each day starting at noon.
Noon - 1 pm - Incorporating Vegetables, Bees and Chickens into your perfect backyard garden design
Jason Rathe from Field Outdoor Spaces will talk about how incorporating vegetables, chickens and bees into your backyard (and front yard!) design can add structure, interest and organization to your yard.
