Plant a Seed: July 16th Meet-Up Recap

On July 16th, our Plant a Seed Meet-Up brought together sustainability-minded community members for an inspiring evening of learning, laughter, and delicious local food.

Plant A Seed Group Picture

We kicked off the evening at Establish Salon, where co-owners Gaby and Ninna graciously welcomed us into their warm, vibrant space. Attendees learned how the Aveda brand pioneered clean hair care, and we even enjoyed some light-hearted “trash talk” about the elegant recycling bins the salon received through a BizRecycling grant. The conversation turned thoughtful with guest speaker Heidi Ganser Lang of Juniper Organizing, who shared helpful tips on decluttering and responsibly donating items to keep them out of the landfill.

Plant A Seed at Establish Salon

Afterward, we headed to the historic Lake Elmo Inn, where Chef John Schiltz delighted us with stories of the Inn’s rich past—bootlegging tales included! Guests sampled unforgettable Reuben Truffles while learning about John’s early commitment to sustainability. Long before composting was trendy, he partnered with a local pig farmer to divert food scraps from the landfill—an effort that saved money and supported a circular food system.

John Schiltz giving presentation

Reuben Truffles

Food scraps for pig farmer

Engaged conversation between businesses

What tied the evening together was the shared commitment to community and sustainability. Both Establish Salon and Lake Elmo Inn demonstrate that small businesses can make a big difference. Thank you to everyone who came, shared your stories, and inspired us with your efforts to tread more lightly on the planet.

Stay tuned for our next Plant a Seed Meet-Up—and until then, keep planting those seeds of change!