All About Food | July 31st, 2014
I had a conversation with Jacqueline Williams, a volunteer with The Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society. Williams and Botanic Gardens have helped establish West Acres Shopping Center’s new outdoor farmers market. I was a little curious as to how this market started and thought a conversation with her would help clarify a few things.
HPR: Can you give us a brief history on the Botanic Gardens?
Jackie: The Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society is a 501(c)3 that has an eye toward building a year-round botanic garden, conservatory and arboretum in the Fargo-Moorhead area to build community through art, culture and horticultural education. We are 400+ members strong and growing.
We aim to improve green space throughout the region while ever mindful of the environment through activation. We are working with the City of Moorhead on a permanent location while we maintain our projects at 28th and University, the N.R.I. artium and West Acres. Anyone who wishes to get active in our mission is welcome to join the Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society or volunteer, hopefully both! You can get information on our fundraising events, membership and ways to get involved by going to npbotanicgarden.com.
HPR: How long have you been involved with this society?
Jackie: I personally have been involved for just about three years. In addition, my family volunteers throughout the year. It is a great way to spend time with those that I love!
HPR: Why did the Botanic Gardens decide to team up with West Acres instead of, say, West Fargo Farmers Market or the Saturday Market at the Dike in Fargo?
Jackie:The Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society has a working agreement with West Acres to design and maintain the interior and exterior plant design. West Acres approached us with the idea several years ago and the project has now come to fruition. The West Acres team views this as a way to reach the community and together we are all about offering fresh, local produce and products. The location is great due to the proximity to public transportation and built in customers!
HPR: A few markets have come and gone in the last few years in the area. What do you think will help keep this one going so the market is here again next year?
Jackie: West Acres has a built in customer base and the opportunity to promote the market to thousands of people each day through signage and word of mouth. The location is easy to access and parking is plentiful. Vendors are happy with our reasonable rates and report success in the sales thus far! We welcome vendors and customers alike. Join us at the fresh market every Thursday now through October, weather permitting.
HPR: Is there any representation of the Botanic Gardens at the market?
Jackie: Our role is “market chief.” We manage the day to day activities and have our material on hand at the event. The vendors and customers are the stars of the show!
HPR: Why do you think it is important, just in general, to have a market at West Acres?
Jackie:We offer the opportunity to enjoy fresh, locally grown or created products in an aesthetically pleasing environment in a central location.
HPR: What question and or information do you feel I have forgotten to ask you about or that you would like our readers to know?
Jackie: The Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society offers a mix of arts, culture and education throughout the year. You can view our events at npbotanicgarden.com. We have an annual wine tasting event, classes and volunteer opportunities. We encourage your readers to join in, participate and get involved. Come out and enjoy our fun and free garden at 28th and University.
By the way, we get calls this time of year from seniors and brides who want to take school photos at our gardens. To all: yes, you can come out anytime and take photos!
IF YOU GO:
West Acres Farmers MarketThursdays through Oct. 30
West Acres Shopping Center lot, 3902 13th Avenue Southwestacres.com
Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society bus tour
Sat, Aug 9th, 8 to 9 p.m.
NPBGS Greenhouse, 1201 28th Ave N
npbotanicgarden.com
March 26th 2025
March 15th 2025
February 19th 2025
January 15th 2025
November 20th 2024
__293px-wide.jpg)
__293px-wide.jpg)
By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.comIt’s been eight years since the Water Protectors were cleared off the banks of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers. It was a bitter ending to a battle to protect the water; and for most of us…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Rodeo is a family tradition for sisters Kate and Tera Flitton. The duo performs under the moniker Stellar Trick Riding Cowgirls. The Utah natives will be performing along with bareback riders,…
Saturday, April 19, 8 p.m. doors open at 7 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 N Broadway, FargoCheck out this cult classic on the big screen as a live band performs along with David Bowie’s vocals, all while basking in the Art Deco glory…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I feel like reading a newspaper is the equivalent of listening to music on vinyl. Not only is it analog, it’s an experience. I might be a little biased, but there's something about the rustling…
By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA column on How Trumusklicans are trying to change historyIt took William L. Shirer a couple decades to write and then publish “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany,”…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Photos by Rick GionLiving in downtown Fargo has its perks. One of them is taking walks along Broadway and peeking into the restaurants and shops for a glimpse of what’s new. Sometimes this makes a…
Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire TheatreBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comThe MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think…
By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Making her feature directorial debut, Rachael Abigail Holder guides “Love, Brooklyn” to a satisfying conclusion, even if some viewers might have hoped for a different outcome for the…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Chad Nodland, "Artistic Freedom"On January 19, 2025, the last full day of Joe Biden’s presidency, he commuted Leonard Peltier's two consecutive life sentences to home confinement at his…
By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…
By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…
By Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…
By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…
By Gilbert Kuipersgilbertkuipers@outlook.com I live in North Dakota District 24 and have been challenging the district Republicans about their understanding of climate science for years. There has been no serious response to my…