The community is invited to a Ten Years of Thankfulness shindig for Groundswell Network Society and Community Greenhouse to celebrate a decade of delicious environmental work.

“We are hoping this will be an opportunity to celebrate our organization and the people that helped create it, the importance of community connections and local food, and the beauty of our greenhouse and gardens, including highlighting the extended season capacity of our greenhouse,” said Katrina Kellner, Groundswell’s director of partnerships and development.

The event will be on Saturday, October 12th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include live local music with performances by Chisel Peak Blues Band, Smarty Pants, Arne Sahlen, Matthew Chapman, Rollin’ Dean and The Postmistress, and Jesse Couvillon.

“People can purchase fresh produce from our greenhouse for their turkey dinner,” Ms. Kellner said, adding that she expects heirloom tomatoes and herbs will be available.

There will also be games, activities, a perennial plant exchange table and more.

“We want people to celebrate and discover the valuable resource our greenhouse and gardens offer the Valley at large,” said Jessica Pemberton, greenhouse operations director. “For people looking for answers to some of today’s most challenging environmental questions, Groundswell has many possible solutions. We want to reignite the passion and possibilities our facility and organization offers.”

The anniversary party will also be a time to look toward the future.

Ms. Kellner envisions Groundswell “continuing to bring people together, one heirloom tomato at a time.”

She also sees the group moving forward by: “(providing) education for children around food, soil and gardening; supporting community members in meeting sustainability goals; creating a space where people can convene with nature in our food forest, gardens and greenhouse and through our You Pick; (and) collaborating with other organizations to meet the needs of our diverse community.”