
The STRAW BALE GARDENS® method has proven to nearly a million gardener and non-gardeners around the world, that it is a simple way to grow vegetables, herbs or flowers anywhere with only sunlight and water. In parts of the world where gardening isn’t just a hobby, and where ownership of land and tools is rare, those populations are discovering this method offers them hope, and food security. If you have been under the impression that the only place to grow healthy crops was in good soil, you must let Joel explain how the bales BECOME soil very quickly. Why this virgin soil provides a wonderful alternative growing media. He will demonstrate how to grow a bountiful garden in decomposing bales without using herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and without weeding. His audiences learn how to plant a wide variety of vegetables, root crops, vining crops, fruits, and even beautiful flower gardens, directly into “conditioned” straw bales. The STRAW BALE GARDENS® method makes gardening so much easier, and so much more fun, for brand new gardeners or for well seasoned gardeners nearing the end of their days working a traditional garden.
Karsten speaks at events and programs all over the United States and around the world. Helping to implement changes in the standard agricultural paradigm in many parts of the world, Karsten has presented workshops and given presentations at the United Nations, and the World Food Summit. Recently holding workshops to educate the teachers in Cambodia and the Philippines about this unique method of gardening. The method has now become part of a solution that is helping some of the poorest populations on earth to sustain year around food production in their climate. Helping to make progress towards solving the problem of world hunger, this method allows people to overcome issues with soil and climate. Straw Bale Gardening also allows them to grow their own food with nearly zero input costs, making it a sustainable local food source.
Karsten’s book “Straw Bale Gardens” was applauded by the New York Times writer Michael Tortorello as “a transformative garden technology – for under $100!” Generating over 1,000 media appearances and launching Karsten’s books to the Best-Seller-List, it has made a big impact on the gardening world. Now printed in many languages the book has launched a speaking career that has taken Karsten around the world speaking to frustrated gardeners looking for alternatives to difficult sites, and solutions to so many other problems that traditional gardening methods cannot address.
Best of all, the Straw Bale Gardening presentations are fun, unexpected, unique, inspiring, and very educational for the audience. People will leave the event ready to start a Straw Bale Garden even if they had never considered growing a single thing prior. It is so easy, step-by-step success is guaranteed and assured. Small success breeds enthusiasm, and one tiny Straw Bale Garden for $5 can lead to a lifelong passion for growing food right in your own backyard.