Anne Biklé Events Explore Links Between Soil and Human Health

Your contribution fuels the stories that shape Decorah—make a difference today. DECORAH — Science writer and public speaker Anne Biklé will make two public appearances in Decorah on Monday, Sept. 8, and Tuesday, Sept. 9. The events are part of her nine-day visit to Midwestern farms and organizations focused on the relationship between soil, food and human health. A book reading and signing of Biklé's latest book, "What Your Food Ate," sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. Anne Biklé Biklé will deliver a formal presentation, Linking Soil Health to Food Health, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Luther College's Center for Faith and Life. Interactive exhibits on soil, food and health open at 6:30 p.m., and a Q&A with Biklé and a panel of soil and human health experts will follow at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday's event, The Ground We Share: Conversations on Soil, Food and Health, is sponsored by Luther College's Center for Ethics and Public Engagement in collaboration with the Regenerating Soil and Community Project and other local organizations. Both evenings are free and open to the public. Biklé is the co-author of What Your Food Ate and The Hidden Half of Nature, written with her husband, geologist David Montgomery. She draws on her background in biology to explore humanity's relationship with nature through agriculture, soil and food. Her work has appeared in Nautilus, Natural History and Best Health, as well as in documentary films, podcasts and radio programs. Monday event Decorah native Ross Evelsizer, natural resources project director with Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, will join Biklé in conversation during Monday's event. Copies of Biklé's books will be available for purchase from Dragonfly Books of Decorah. Tuesday event Interactive exhibits at 6:30 p.m. will feature soil testing, regenerative agriculture, local food sampling, health information and related book displays. A Luther College Orchesis dance performance will precede Biklé's 7:30 p.m. presentation. The Q&A session and panel discussion will include: Wendy Johnson, 2024 Iowa Aldo Leopold Conservation Award winner, organic and conventional farmer, and owner of Joia Food and Fiber Farm, Charles City. Robby Jewell, 2024 Excellence in Agriculture Decorah Chamber of Commerce award winner, sixth-generation farmer and co-owner of Jewell Enterprizes. Carly Zierke, organic farmer, co-owner of Sweet Season Farm in Calmar, and board member of Decorah Farmers Market and Oneota Co-op. Jake Larkin, PA-C, lead physician assistant in hospital medicine and clinical preceptor at Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse, Wis., and co-founder of Plant Partners Group. Erin Meyer, MSFS, RD, executive director and founder of Basil's Harvest and clinical associate/co-founder of the culinary medicine program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, Ill. The Decorah visit was conceived by Jodi Enos-Berlage, Luther College professor of biology, as part of the Regenerating Soil and Community Project. The initiative aims to expand knowledge and networks that foster regenerative agriculture practices in the region. "Anne Biklé's work elevates attention to global soil degradation and the essential connections between the health of soil microbiota and the rest of the living world," Enos-Berlage said. "One could argue that there is no greater motivator for caring for the soil than seeing this act through the lens of our own health." "By including vegetable, livestock and commodity farmers on the same stage as health care professionals," Enos-Berlage added, "we are recognizing all as contributors to health—and providing the audience with a rare opportunity to engage with this span of perspectives simultaneously." Sponsors of Biklé's Decorah visit include: Davi Design Co., Decorah Bank & Trust Co., Decorah Public Library, Emplify Health by Gundersen, Luther College CEPE, Northeast Iowa Dairy and Agricultural Foundation, Oneota Community Food Co-op, OVLF, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Seed Savers Exchange, and Winneshiek County Soil and Water Conservation District. More information is available here. Elevate your inbox with the DecorahNews.com newsletter! Receive free thought-provoking articles, actionable advice and inspiring stories every week.