Community Service

AM Rotary hosts 4th annual ECO EXPO

Joanna Werch Takes

April 19, 2025

2 girls try food samples from plate held by blond woman in apron. — ECO EXPO volunteers Ridwan Hassan and Amina Hassan sample plant-based food from U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison at the fourth annual ECO EXPO. Photos by Gillian Holte

Eden Prairie AM Rotary hosted its fourth annual ECO EXPO at Eden Prairie Center on Saturday, April 12. Mallgoers were exposed to booths that highlighted sustainable, eco-friendly products and services and hands-on activities.

Clockwise from top left: Master Gardener Jan Cole helps with seed planting activities; 10-year-old chihuahua Twinkle waits for adoption from Underdog Rescue; exhibitors display information on eco-friendly products and services; baby goats from B3 Goats Mitigation have a meal that isn’t invasive species; some booths featured free samples or interactive elements.

Small chihuahua laying on the ground. — Clockwise from top left: Master Gardener Jan Cole helps with seed planting activities; 10-year-old chihuahua Twinkle waits for adoption from Underdog Rescue; exhibitors display information on eco-friendly products and services; baby goats from B3 Goats Mitigation have a meal that isn’t invasive species; some booths featured free samples or interactive elements.

Two women talking and cooking. — U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison, left, and Wholesome Minnesota director Jodi Gruhn made Kickin Kidney Bean Tacos at the ECO EXPO.

According to event chair Tim Conners, this year’s ECO EXPO saw 3,500 participants, an increase from 2024 despite Saturday’s pleasant weather compared to a rainy day the previous year. Over 50 exhibitors and sponsors participated. “Exhibitors thought the conversations with both participants and other exhibitors were valuable,” Conners commented. Twenty-five Eden Prairie High School students were volunteers at the event.

Kidney Bean Tacos on a tray. — “Kickin Kidney Bean Tacos.”

Conners said that a Volkswagen ID Buzz electric minivan provided by Luther Westside Volkswagen was of particular interest to attendees. Also popular were the goats from B3 Goats Mitigation and puppies from Underdog Rescue. U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL-Minn.), who represents Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District, participated in a cooking demonstration with Jodi Gruhn, director of Wholesome Minnesota, to prepare plant-based kidney bean tacos.

Conners called the event a “wonderful success overall.”

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About the Contributor

Joanna Werch Takes, Managing Editor

Joanna Werch Takes began her professional journalism career at a weekly community newspaper in Iowa. After moving to Minnesota, she spent several years as an editor at a magazine aimed at hobbyist woodworkers. Joanna and her family have lived in Eden Prairie for over 20 years. She is a former member and officer of the Eden Prairie Women of Today service group and a former Girl Scout leader in Eden Prairie.