The first Sustainable Living Festival in the Southern Manitoba region was held in Morden at the Access Event Centre on December 1st.  Megan Dias, one of the organizers, said the turnout exceeded her expectations and described community support for this first-time endeavor as “amazing.” The festival was a partnership between the MSTW Planning District’s Community-Led Emissions Reduction Program and the Morden Farmer’s Market, with A Rocha Prairie Canada serving as one of five sponsors. It provided people an indoor opportunity to buy locally grown food, even after the outdoor market in downtown Morden had closed for the season.

In addition to designing all the event posters, A Rocha Prairie Canada also organized and judged a “Hands for Change” art contest for young participants. More than one hundred K-4 students created posters representing positive actions students are doing to create a better world for all to live in. The A Rocha panel of judges identified three winners and two honourable mentions. Emma Hynes, a Grade 3 student from Maple Leaf School, won first place and her school received a worm farm for her efforts, as did Minnewasta School for the 2^nd prize win of Abigail Neufeld, Grade 4.

The festival evening concluded with the free presentation of FRESH, an acclaimed documentary film on what farmers and others are doing to re-invent our North American food system.