Trails to be open, buildings to remain closed for the present

A new nature-based agricultural learning opportunity is coming to Cottage Grove, with the Dodge Nature Center at Shephard Farm opening its trails this April 2.

Buildings will remain closed for the present.

Originally located in West St. Paul, the Cottage Grove location of the Dodge Nature Center is located off 70th Street South across from Light the Way Church, and represents an expansion rather than a move. Shephard Farm will include several educational opportunities once activated, with beginner’s beekeeping, Dodge Nature Center executive director Jason Sanders spoke to the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission March 14.

“We are looking to transform Shephard Farm into a learning lab for all,” Sanders shared with the Commissions. “We plan to lean heavily into agriculturally based environmental learning, using fields, gardens, pastures, animals, and barns.” With trails opening April 2 and open from sunup to sundown, Sanders shared more of what’s planned for in terms of the big picture at Shephard Farm.

“We will be posting soon an outreach naturalist position to lead classes as well as bring classes to those who cannot travel to Shephard Farm. New adult programs that will be piloted and subsequently launched throughout the first few years at Shephard Farm include our community gardens, which we’re going now, intro to beekeeping,” and many more, including “composting, mushrooming, aquaponics, maple syruping,” and pollinator planning, Sanders said as a brief review.

With trails opening April 2 and more to come, the Dodge Nature Center at Shephard Farm is the place to be this spring and summer!