Kalika Valentine-Erickson/ Winonan

Within the rural community of Winona, poet Wendell Berry has inspired farmers and citizens alike to encourage the spread of agriculture and care for the land.

Berry is an activist when it comes to the well being of the Earth and has participated in sit-ins and protests over anything that can hinder that prosperity.

As part of their “Year of Sustainable Futures” project Winona State University and Theatre du Mississippi celebrated the work of Berry on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Historic Masonic Temple.

During the event, farmers who drew inspiration from the work of Berry read excerpts from his poems and essays while photographs of their farms were being projected onto a screen. The farmers also talked about how they were inspired by Berry’s various works.

A local activist read a letter Berry wrote to Catholic Workers of Winona. Berry wrote the letter in order to encourage the Catholic Workers of Winona with their protests over frac sand mining.

“Berry has been active in protests against mountain-top removal coal mining in Kentucky,” Armstrong said.

Poems such as “To Know the Dark,” “The Peace of Wild Things,” and “Do Not be Ashamed” were read aloud with intermittent musical entertainment. To accompany the readings, the Winona Fiddlers and members of the local bluegrass group Gravy Train performed.

The event highlighted the importance of Berry’s poetry and his activism and the impact he has had on Winona’s citizens in the farming community.

English professor James Armstrong helped arrange the event.

“This event is a tribute to the poet, essayist and activist Wendell Berry,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong and Peggy Sannerud, a Winona State theatre professor and member of Theatre du Mississippi, hatched the idea for this event.

“He has been a long-time advocate of local economies, organic and small-scale farming and responsible living,” Armstrong said.