Jan. 28, 2008

Executive director of the Firehouse Market to speak at Morningside

Patrick Garrity, executive director of the Firehouse Market on Floyd Boulevard, will present “Individually We Must Save the Planet” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Morningside College in the UPS Auditorium of the Lincoln Center, 3627 Peters Ave.

The public is invited to the free event, which is sponsored by the Academic and Cultural Arts Series (ACAS) and the Recycling and Environmental Committee at Morningside College.

Garrity will share ways in which individuals can contribute to the well-being of the earth and also reasons why buying locally is better for the environment.

“When we educate ourselves about the benefits and possibilities of local foods, the facts are always shocking,” he said. “I will highlight some important factors regarding local foods and give an update regarding what is being done in Siouxland.”

Garrity holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from South Dakota State University, and he has owned a fruit orchard in South Dakota for more than 20 years. He worked several years for Gurney’s Seed and Nursery and is past president of the South Dakota Fruit Growers Association and the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association. The Firehouse Market is a nonprofit cooperative for 35 producers who sell local and organic foods.