Earth Fest 2023: Connecting With The Community

Three GROWW members stand together smiling at the GROWW Earth Fest Booth.

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Every year, Hope For Creation in River Falls holds Earth Fest! It is a free event that highlights sustainability efforts in the area. The event was fulling in swing with live music, local vegan food, and fun family activities. GROWW was present to connect with the community and talk about our current projects.

Housing Affordability

Affordable Housing project member Laura stands in front of the GROWW booth at Earth Fest

Our newest project is looking to tackle Housing Affordability in River Falls. Last summer, we walked around various towns in Western WI to see what issues are facing our communities. Overwhelmingly in River Falls, we heard about rising housing costs and difficulties finding affordable renting options. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. This project looks to identify and remove those barriers that make it difficult to make ends meet and find a home. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and economically vibrant community that values the well-being of all its residents.

If you are interested in getting involved with this project, want to share your experience with housing affordability in River Falls, or to learn more, contact Jessica Rein at jessica@gro-ww.org.

Bridge the Divide

Organizer Danny stands in the GROWW booth at Earth Fest

Bridge the Divide aims to build relationships, promote civic engagement, and organize residents to demand that legislators pass Final Five Voting in the Wisconsin legislature to reduce extreme partisanship and divisiveness in politics. This project kicked off last summer and brought together members that are tired of the power of extremists overshadowing the common good.

At every event Bridge the Divide is at, members hold a mock election using the Final Five Voting process. At Earth Fest, the elections were to decide the Best Starburst Flavor and the Best Water Activity. Over 100 attendees participated in these elections. After a few rounds of vote tabulation, Cherry Starburst won in the last round over Strawberry Starburst. For the Best Water Activity, Going to the Lake won over Kayaking.

If you are interested in getting involved with this project or learning more, contact Danny Akenson at danny@gro-ww.org.