Upstream

Upstream
  • Blog
  • Go Upstream
  • Share Your Story
  • Find Your Next
  • West Central
  • Shop
  • Board and Staff
  • Nominate an Unsung Caretaker
  • Donate
Search
  • Take the Pledge
  • Find Your Next
  • Shop
  • Give

Meet Minnesota's Unsung Caretaker: Karla Patrick⁠⁠Karla lives in Cambridge and is no stranger to taking care of her community. As the leader of Cambridge Medical Center’s Wellness Leadership Team, Karla prioritizes wellness for fellow employees as well as the surrounding community. In 2015, she extended that care to the Cambridge Medical Center Giving Garden, a 4’ by 10’ plot that has produced almost 700 pounds of produce in the past eight years.⁠⁠The Giving Garden donates about 90% of its produce to local food charities, which helps to address the problem of food insecurity in the Cambridge area. Employees volunteer to work in the garden, which gives them a way to connect with the land and with each other. Then, they take turns distributing the veggies—Karla says that people often wait at the door to get some of the garden’s produce and that they love seeing dirt still on the vegetables.⁠⁠Karla’s role is to organize the garden and connect the growers with resources, such as advice from local master gardeners. She also finds funding from sources like a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Her advice for anyone interested in starting their own Giving Garden is to start small, get creative with funding, and ask around for help when you need it.⁠⁠Congratulations Karla on being one of the 10 winners from across Minnesota for your ongoing dedication to caring for their natural places. Join us on October 11th as we celebrate our unsung caretakers at the #UpstreamAwardsandArtExpo. 🌲⁠⁠#Upstream #LovingWhereWeLive #FallFesivalOfCare — from Instagram

Meet Minnesota's Unsung Caretaker: Karla Patrick⁠⁠Karla lives in Cambridge and is no stranger to taking care of her community. As the leader of Cambridge Medical Center’s Wellness Leadership Team, Karla prioritizes wellness for fellow employees as well as the surrounding community. In 2015, she extended that care to the Cambridge Medical Center Giving Garden, a 4’ by 10’ plot that has produced almost 700 pounds of produce in the past eight years.⁠⁠The Giving Garden donates about 90% of its produce to local food charities, which helps to address the problem of food insecurity in the Cambridge area. Employees volunteer to work in the garden, which gives them a way to connect with the land and with each other. Then, they take turns distributing the veggies—Karla says that people often wait at the door to get some of the garden’s produce and that they love seeing dirt still on the vegetables.⁠⁠Karla’s role is to organize the garden and connect the growers with resources, such as advice from local master gardeners. She also finds funding from sources like a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Her advice for anyone interested in starting their own Giving Garden is to start small, get creative with funding, and ask around for help when you need it.⁠⁠Congratulations Karla on being one of the 10 winners from across Minnesota for your ongoing dedication to caring for their natural places. Join us on October 11th as we celebrate our unsung caretakers at the #UpstreamAwardsandArtExpo. 🌲⁠⁠#Upstream #LovingWhereWeLive #FallFesivalOfCare — from Instagram

Voices of Upstream Podcast

Listen on anchor.fm
Listen on Spotify
Subscribe

Categories

  • Confluence Stories
  • Interesting Perspectives
  • News & Events
  • People of Upstream
  • Stewardship Stories
  • Stewardship Tips
  • Uncategorized
  • Upstream Partner Stories

Upstream Initiative

855 Village Center Drive #108
North Oaks, MN 55127

hello@mnupstream.org

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email Us
  • Podcast

Copyright © 2025 Upstream Initiative. All rights reserved.

https://mnupstream.org/instagram/meet-minnesotas-unsung-caretaker-karla-patrick%e2%81%a0%e2%81%a0karla-lives-in-cambridge-and-is-no-stranger-to-taking-care-of-her-community-as-the-leader-of-cambridge-medical-centers

By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively.

Accept & Continue