Pollinator cafe attracts bees, butterflies and residents
At Golden Horizons Assisted Living Facility in Worthington, Master Gardener volunteer Heather Raverty transformed an underused space into a source of joy for residents and a haven for local pollinators. Butterfly weed, yarrow and coneflower plants attract visitors like hummingbirds, monarchs and bees. They also captivate the people who call Golden Horizons home.
The garden has become a therapeutic space for many residents, including one man who found solace there after losing his wife. “He was out there almost every day,” said Raverty. “He loved the garden. He made a habit of cutting flowers and bringing bouquets to people who couldn’t get out and see it.”
The project’s success has inspired residents to start their own container gardens. Sometimes, they bring their homegrown tomatoes and cucumbers to the facility’s kitchen, where they prepare fresh side dishes and share their harvest with other residents.
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Highlights
- RSDP impact: A project connecting U of M electrical engineering students with a local food truck seeking clean energy solutions exposed students to career possibilities in their field.
- Emily Alm and Rachel Arneson of Worthington are in Class 13 of the Minnesota Agricultural & Rural Leadership (MARL) program. Alm is a customer experience manager with Winfield United. Ameson is a farmer-owner of Arneson Farm.
- Quinn S., a Nobles County 4-H’er, is a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador. Her favorite projects include needle arts and child development.
- Emma H. and Liv V. were named 4-H Agricultural Ambassadors. Emma participates in 4-H beef, sheep, goat, photography and foods projects, and especially enjoys teaching the youngest of children about food and agriculture. Liv shows dairy cattle, participates in the Dairy Knowledge Bowl and competes as a member of a crop scouting team.
- U of M Farm Family of the Year: The Darling family farms in multiple locations, but they are deeply tied to their community. Lynn has held roles on the fair board, township and soil water boards for over 30 years, and helps with the Tri-State Beef Show. The entire family stays active in 4-H by mentoring youth, supporting projects and cheering on the next generation.
- Extension provides financial capability education for participants in the judicial district’s treatment courts, including adult and juvenile drug courts, and courts for mental health, veterans, family dependency and DWI/DUI.
Nobles County office
Extension has 14 regional offices supporting all 87 counties in Minnesota.
Nobles County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community. More about Extension in our county.
About the Minnesota 87 project
Spend time in any Minnesota county, and you will almost certainly encounter University of Minnesota Extension. Our faculty and staff, volunteers, participants, alumni and partners are woven into the fabric of rural, urban and suburban Minnesota life. This project showcases Extension in action through photos, stories and a sampling of the many ways Extension has touched the lives of people in every county.