saturday, july 20 farm tour eat local...
TRANSCRIPT
Routes, maps and information on farms
Saturday, July 20Eat LocaL
Farm tour GUIDE
Welcome to the Third Annual
During this year’s Eat Local Farm Tour you can meet
organic and sustainable farming experts, walk with
cows, milk a goat, taste locally made cheese, bike to bee
hives, learn about Minnesota wines, and more. Read
about the farms, note their open hours, plan your trip,
or follow one of the suggested routes.
Visit the tour’s facebook page for farm sneak peeks:
www.facebook.com/EatLocalFarmTour.coop.
Minneapolis/St. Paul
St. PeterFaribault
NorthBranch
Saint Cloud
Mankato
Owatonna
12
52
61
10
61
14
95
8
169
169
169
212
35
35
94
94694
494
Wisconsin
212
2522
15.
14.
11.
10.
12.13.
7.8.
9.
17.16.
2.
3.
1.
5.
6.
4.
EAT LocAL FArm Tour
Farm Tour ETiquETTE• Visit farms only during their set hours
• Do not enter private homes
• Stay on established paths
• Do not pick produce without farmer permission
• Please, no pets
1. Women’s environmental institute2. Big river Farm3. 10th street Farm & market4. Ferndale market5. thousand hills Cattle Company6. l&r poultry and produCe7. simple harvest Farms8. shepherds Way Farm9. gardens oF eagan10. Cedar summit Farm11. kohnert organiC Farm12. living land Farm13. Chankaska Creek ranCh & Winery14. east henderson Farm15. riverBend Farm16. stones throW urBan Farm & Beez knees17. groWing lots urBan Farm
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NorThEAsT LoopTwin CiTiEs to 10th sTrEET Farm & markET (open: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.)Take I-94 E to exit 253 for MN-95 (County Road 15/Manning Avenue). Turn right onto MN-95, heading south. Drive about 1 mile. Turn left onto South 10th Street. Drive about 1.2 miles (you will cross Neal Avenue). The farm entrance will be on the right side. (Trip time: 35 min.)
10th sTrEET Farm & markET to Big rivEr Farms (open: noon.–4 p.m.)Turn left out of the farm entrance. Take 10th Street to Manning Avenue and turn right. Drive 5.4 miles (you will cross I-94). Turn right onto MN-5 E (North Stillwater Boulevard). Drive 2.1 miles. Exit left onto MN-36 W. Drive about 1 mile. Turn right onto County Road 15 (North Manning Avenue); continue on for about seven miles. Turn right onto North Square Lake Trail. (There is a railroad crossing at this intersection.) Drive 3.3 miles. Turn left onto North Oldfield Road. (There will be a large horse farm at this intersection.) Drive about 1 mile. You will come to a “T” intersection with no signage; turn right and drive about half a mile. The farm entrance will be on the left, marked by a sign for the Wilder Forest. (Trip: 40 min.)
Big rivEr Farms to womEn’s EnvironmEnTal insTiTuTE (open: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.)From the Big River Farms exit, turn left. (There will not be street signage here, but you will be on North Ostlund Trail.) Drive about one mile. Turn left onto Paul Avenue (County Road 7). Drive another mile. Turn right onto North Nason Hill Road. Drive 1.6 miles. Turn left onto MN-95 (St. Croix Trail); continue on for about 15 miles. You will come to a “T” intersection. Take a right to continue on MN-95 (US-8/Lake Boulevard). Drive 3.3 miles.
You will come to a major intersection; take a left onto Bench Street to continue on MN-95. Drive about 12 miles. Turn right onto County Road 70 (Oriole Avenue). Continue on for about three miles. Continue straight onto a dirt road. Stay straight and then curve right to stay on River Road. (Do NOT take a left onto River Road). The WEI entrance will be on the right-hand side, about 1.5 miles from the curve in the road. (Trip: 70 min.)
womEn’s EnvironmEnTal insTiTuTE to Twin CiTiEsFrom the farm exit, turn left. Follow the dirt road until it becomes paved (you will cross 410th Street). Continue on County Road 70 (Oriole Ave). Turn right onto MN 95 (St. Croix Trail). Drive about 16 miles to I-35 and head south. (Trip: 70 min.)
Minneapolis/St. Paul
St. PeterFaribault
NorthBranch
Saint Cloud
Mankato
Owatonna
12
52
61
10
61
14
95
8
169
169
169
212
35
35
94
94694
494
Wisconsin
212
2522
Big River Farms
10th Street Farm & Market
WEI
Here are suggested tours for visiting several farms within specific areas. Follow the directions from farm to farm, or, if you prefer, make up your own tour route (online map at: www.goo.gl/maps/6u9JX). Remember to check the open hours for each farm, listed in the index, prior to planning your trip.
opTioNAL Tour Loops
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NorThFiELd EAsT LoopTwin CiTiEs to FErndalE markET (9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Tours: 9 a.m.–noon)Drive about 35 miles south on US-52. Turn right onto County Road 24 (at the stoplight — Marathon Gas Station will be on the corner). Drive about 1.5 miles. Ferndale will be on your right. (Trip: 40 min.)
FErndalE markET to Thousand hills CaTTlE Company (rsVp Tour: 1–2:30 p.m.)Turn left out of Ferndale onto County Road 24. Go straight through the stoplight, crossing US-52. Turn right at the stop sign, drive half a block. Turn left on to 318th Street (John Deere Dealership) and arrive at Thou-sand Hills Cattle Company on your right. (Trip: 5 min.)
Thousand hills CaTTlE Company to l&r poulTry and produCE (11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Tour: 1 p.m.)Turn left onto 318th Street, then right on to 65th Avenue. Turn left on to County Road 24 (Subway and Super America are at this intersection). Turn
left onto US-52. Drive approximately 5.5 miles. Turn right on to County Road 9/380th Street. Landmark: electronic traffic signal signs. Turn left on to Country Road 1. If you get to the big grain silos, you’ve gone too far. Drive about 2.5 miles. Turn right onto 408th Street. This is a dirt road, with a blue house on the corner. Drive about 1 mile. L&R Produce will be on your right. Pull into the driveway to park. Chicken coops are on your right; tours and products will be available up the hill — starting from the garage of the house. (Trip: 20 min.)
l&r poulTry and produCE to Twin CiTiEsFrom the farm exit, turn right on 408th Street. Turn left on Country Road 1. Turn right on County Road 9/380th Street. Follow County Road 9/380th Street to US-52. Turn left onto US-52. Continue on US-52 to the Twin Cities. (Trip: 40 min.)
Minneapolis/St. Paul
St. PeterFaribault
NorthBranch
Saint Cloud
Mankato
Owatonna
12
52
61
10
61
14
95
8
169
169
169
212
35
35
94
94694
494
Wisconsin
212
2522
Thousand Hills
L & R
Ferndale Market
65
NorThFiELd WEsT LoopTwin CiTiEs to CEdar summiT Farm (9 a.m.– noon | Tours: 11 a.m. & noon)Take I-494W to exit 10A toward Shakopee. Drive about two miles and bear left on to I-169S. Drive about two more miles and bear right on to Highway 13. Follow Highway 13 south for approximately 25 miles. At the rounda-bout, take the first turn onto County Road 2/260th Street. Drive about 2.5 miles. Turn right onto Drexel Avenue. Cedar Summit will be on the left. (Trip: 60 min.)
CEdar summiT Farm to gardEns oF Eagan (10 a.m.–2 p.m.)Turn right out of Cedar Summit on to County Road 2/260th Street. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Highway 19/New Prague Boulevard. Drive about three miles to the next roundabout. Continue straight on New Prague Boulevard/County Road 86. Drive for approximately 12 miles, crossing over I-35 at about mile seven. Turn right onto Highway 23/Foilage Avenue. Country Cabinets is on the corner. Drive about one mile, passing Lorence’s Berry Farm. Turn left onto the dirt road, West 290th Street. Cross over the railroad tracks. GOE will be on your right-hand side about half a mile past the railroad tracks. (Trip: 60 min.)
gardEns oF Eagan to shEphErd’s way Farm (11 a.m.–3 p.m.)Turn right out of GOE onto 260th Street. Drive about 1.5 miles to Dunbar Avenue and turn left. Follow Dunbar about one mile to County Road 86/West 280th Street. Turn right onto County Road 86/West 280th Street. Drive for about four miles to Highway 3. Turn right onto Highway 3. Follow Highway 3 into Northfield and through town. Just past Target and Applebee’s, turn left at the stoplight at 110th Street. Drive about 1.5 miles to Dennison Boulevard/Highway 246. Turn right on to Dennison Boule-vard/Highway 246. Drive about one mile and turn right onto Hall Avenue. Landmark: White-fenced property with large pine trees. Holden Farms will be on your right after you turn onto Hall Avenue. Drive about one mile to the stop sign at East 135th Street (dead end in front of you). Turn left onto East 135th Street. Drive about 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Ibson Avenue and drive another half mile. Follow Ibson, it will turn into East 160th Street as you round the corner. Shepherd’s Way is on your right. (Trip: 30 min.)
shEphErd’s way Farm to simplE harvEsT (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)Turn left out of Shepherd’s Way Farm. Follow 160th Street to Ibson. Turn right onto 155th Street at the stop sign. Follow for about one mile to Simple Harvest Farm. If you go past the church, you’ve gone too far. (Trip: 5 min.)
simplE harvEsT to Twin CiTiEsTurn right out of Simple Harvest Farm and follow 155th Street to Ibson Avenue. Take Ibson back to 135th Street and turn left. Turn right onto Hall Avenue. Follow to Highway 246/Dennison Boulevard. Turn left onto Highway 246. Drive about one mile to 110th Street (on the corner/curve). Turn left onto 110th Street and follow for about 1.5 miles to Highway 3. Turn right on Highway 3 and follow for about another 1.5 miles to the stoplights at Highway 19. Turn left on to Highway 19/Lonsdale Boulevard. Follow this for six miles to I-35 and head back home!
Minneapolis/St. Paul
St. PeterFaribault
NorthBranch
Saint Cloud
Mankato
Owatonna
12
52
61
10
61
14
95
8
169
169
169
212
35
35
94
94694
494
Wisconsin
212
2522
Cedar Summit
Simple HarvestShepherd’s
Way
Gardens of Eagan
87
sT. pETEr LoopTwin CiTiEs to EasT hEndErson Farm (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)Drive about 60 miles south on US-169 S. One mile after you cross under MN-19, take a right onto County Road 34 (290th Street). Entrances to the farm are both the third and fourth driveways on the left; signs for parking will be posted. (Trip: 75 min.)
EasT hEndErson Farm to kohnErT organiC Farms (9 a.m.–2 p.m.)Turn right onto US-169 S. Drive about four miles. Exit onto MN-112 E towards Le Sueur. Follow the signs for MN-112 through the town of Le Sueur. (You will turn left onto Bridge Street, turn right onto South 2nd Street, turn left onto Ferry Street and turn right onto Elmwood Avenue.) Stay on MN-112 for about 12 miles; then continue straight onto MN-99 E. Kohnert Farm will be on the right side, about 6.3 miles from the intersec-tion of MN-112 and MN-99. The driveway is just past County Road140, with two tall blue silos located across from the driveway. If you reach MN-13, you’ve gone too far. (Trip: 40 min.)
kohnErT organiC Farms to living land Farm (11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Tour: 1 p.m.)Turn left onto MN-99. After about six miles, bear left to continue on MN-99. Drive about 11 miles. Turn right onto County Road 23 (Ottawa Road). Drive two miles. The farm entrance will on the right side. You will see a “school bus stop ahead” sign and tall wire fencing. (Trip: 30 min.)
living land Farm to Chankaska CrEEk ranCh & winEry (3–6 p.m.)Turn left onto County Road 23 (Ottawa Road). Turn right onto MN-99. Drive about one mile. Turn left onto Minnesota Avenue. Drive about one mile. Turn left onto MN-22 S. Drive 1.8 miles. Turn left onto East Pearl Street. You will see vineyards on the hill in the distance. (Trip: 15 min.)
Chankaska CrEEk ranCh & winEry to Twin CiTiEs (one hour, 20 minutes)Turn right onto MN-22 N. Drive 1.8 miles. Turn right onto US-169 N. Drive about 60 miles to reach the Twin Cities metro area. Don’t forget to stop at St. Peter Co-op for road snacks. It will be on the left side as you pass through St. Peter. Drive about 45 miles to the town of Jordan, where you will turn right onto MN-21 S (North Broadway Street). Drive about 18 miles; continue onto MN-13 S. (Trip: 80 min.)
urbAN LoopTwin CiTiEs to sTonE’s Throw urBan Farm (9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Tours: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.) & BEEz knEEz (rsVp Tours: 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.)Take I-35W to exit 15 for Lake Street. Merge onto South 2nd Avenue. Turn right onto Lake Street. Drive one mile. Turn left onto South 15th Avenue. Drive 1½ blocks; the farm will be on the left.
sTonE’s Throw urBan Farm to growing loTs urBan Farm (11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Tours every hour)Head north on 15th Avenue. Turn right onto 28th Street. Take the first left onto Bloomington Avenue. Drive about 1 mile. Turn right onto Franklin Avenue. Drive about half a mile. Turn right onto Minnehaha Avenue. Take the first right onto 22nd Street. The farm is located behind the Fairview building. (Trip: 5 min.)
Minneapolis/St. Paul
St. PeterFaribault
NorthBranch
Saint Cloud
Mankato
Owatonna
12
52
61
10
61
14
95
8
169
169
169
212
35
35
94
94694
494
Wisconsin
212
2522
East Henderson Farm
Kohnert Organic FarmLiving Land
Farm
Chankaska Creek
109
pollinators play in our food system. During the tour, join the founders of the Beez Kneez for a bike tour of some of their hives in beautiful South Minneapo-lis (weather permitting). You’ll learn about what it takes to make bees thrive and why this is important.
Kristy AllenGrowing Lots urban Farm, 1915 22nd st., #5, minneapolis, mN 55404www.thebeezkneezdelivery.com | [email protected]
biG riVEr FArmopEn: noon.–4 p.m.restrooms | Goods for sale
Big River Farm will be open for self-guided tours from noon. to 4 p.m. A formal guided tour will take place at 1 p.m. No pets please! They will also have a small market for visitors to shop for fresh produce.
Minnesota Food Association (MFA) is dedicated to growing farmers and growing food. The Big River Farms Program of MFA operates an immigrant and minority farmer-training program, together with a community-supported ag-riculture and wholesale distribution service. Their aim is to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge to operate their own viable organic and sustainable vegetable farming enterprises, while providing fresh, organic produce to local consumers by the farmers-in-training and promoting a more sustainable food system. MFA is a nonprofit organization counting on generous tax-exempt donor support.
Joci Tilsen14220-b N. ostlund Trail, marine on st. croix, mN 55047651-433-3676 | www.mnfoodassociation.org | [email protected]
10Th sTrEET FArm & mArKETopEn: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.restrooms available | Goods for sale | refreshments available
The 10th Street Farm & Market is a small, mother–daughter-run, extended-season farm tucked away in Afton, Minn. Through a combination of low-acreage/high-production farming methods, organic practices, and extended season tools, they are able to harvest fresh produce 10 months out of the year. They start planting in three unheated, movable high tunnels that capture enough natural heat from the sun so they are able to put seed in the ground in February and harvest through December. They also have a small green house in which to start their transplants and grow micro greens almost all year-round.
Visitors are welcome to visit the farm to tour the tunnels, enjoy refreshments, watch the chickens scurry about, and relax around the small orchard. Their farm stand will open all day, as well as every Thursday, 4–7 p.m., and Friday mornings, 9 a.m.–noon.
hallie and Lisa Talbott13197 s. 10th st., Afton, mN 55001612-770-7194 | www.10thstfarmandmarket.com | [email protected]
bEEz KNEEz hoNEy dELiVEryopEn: BikE Tours lEavE sTonE’s Throw urBan Farm aT 1 p.m. & 4 p.m., rsvp only. Tours limited to 35 participants each. Contact kristy at [email protected] to reserve your spot on the bike tour. ByoB (Bring your own Bike).
The Beez Kneez maintains honeybee hives in the Twin Cities’ community gardens, parks, schools, and urban farms, and they deliver local, raw honey by bicycle to the sweet people of Minneapolis and St. Paul. In addition, they provide education and raise awareness of the vital role honeybees and other
FArm iNdEX
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The tasting room opened its doors in May 2012 after a successful first harvest in 2011. Since then, Chankaska Creek has shared their passion for wine with hundreds of guests. They strive to educate those who come through their doors and continue to form lasting relationships with their patrons and community.
Visit the winery between 3 and 6 p.m. during the farm tour for a grape-to-glass experience every hour on the hour. Learn about the challenges of growing grapes in Minnesota and the special skills required to turn them into tasty wines.
Erika masias1179 E. pearl st., Kasota, mN 56050507-382-6314 | www.chankaskawines.com
EAsT hENdErsoN FArmopEn: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.restrooms | Goods for sale: produce, eggs, whole chickens | complementary refreshments | samples offered
East Henderson Farm grows and sells a diverse array of vegetables and livestock, as well as some wild edibles. Join them for their open house when they’ll be giving tours of their farm every hour on the hour. Their vegetables are certified organic and sold through a 90-member CSA, at restaurants, and at food co-ops. Their livestock is organically raised on pasture. They have laying hens, broilers, a few beef steers, a team of oxen-in-training, honeybees, and four dairy goats (come and see the spring goat kids!). Much of the land is wooded hills and meadows, and they work hard to preserve the ecology as a first priority. They champion historic preservation, as well as reused/salvaged tools and materials. Many of the farm buildings (including the house) are built from lumber salvaged from barns and log cabins, and they use restored antique tractors and implements.
Josh and sally reinitz30083 290th st., henderson, mN 56044612-756-3971 | www.easthendersonfarm.com | [email protected]
cEdAr summiT FArmopEn: Farm sTorE 9 a.m.–noon, Formal Tours aT 11 a.m. & noonrestrooms available | Goods for sale | samples offered
Cedar Summit Farm is Minnesota’s only 100-percent grass-fed-cow creamery. For more than four generations, the certified-organic family farm has been dedicated to preserving the health, environment and economy of its local com-munity. The Minar family produces nonhomogenized milk, cream, half & half, and drinkable cream-top yogurt from their herd of 130 cows.
Owners Dave and Florence Minar will lead two tours, one at 11 a.m. and another at noon. Each tour lasts approximately one hour. The tours will feature both the farm and creamery. Visitors will get to see the cows and calves on pasture, as well as pigs, geese, and chickens. Learn about why Cedar Sum-mit’s animals are 100-percent grass-fed and what kind of grasses grow in the pastures. Also visit the milking parlor, which is known for its energy-saving features. The tour will highlight the benefits of their grazing system; soil, plant and animal health; clean water; and wildlife habitat. The farm store will be open for tour participants 9 a.m.–noon.
ryan crum25830 drexel Ave., New prague, mN 56071952-758-6886 (farm), 612-869-8012 (office/questions for ryan), 612-718-7430 (cell) | www.cedarsummit.com
chANKAsKA crEEK rANch ANd WiNEryopEn: 3–6 p.m.restrooms | meals for purchase: full menu at www.chankaskawines.com | Good for sale
Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery is a Minnesota vineyard and winery located in the heart of the Minnesota River Valley. Chankaska Creek is home to a seven-acre vineyard. The winery’s 12,000-square-foot facility boasts state-of-the-art equipment, which allows them to perfect their artisan winemaking techniques with the cold-climate grapes they grow from their vineyard.
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FErNdALE FArm & mArKETopEn: Farm sTorE 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Formal Tours 9 a.m.–noon on ThE hour (wEaThEr pErmiTTing)restrooms available | Goods for sale | samples offered
Located in the rolling hills of the Little Cannon River Valley, Ferndale Farms has been committed to raising turkeys naturally for three generations — free-range during the warmer months and antibiotic-free all the time.
The on-farm store will be open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with complimentary samples of turkey snack sticks available all day, along with a full selection of other local meats, dairy products, cheeses, and other favorites. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., they will be grilling complimentary turkey hot dogs and brats for guests, as well. From 9 a.m. to noon, there will be hayrides so visitors can see the turkeys enjoying life on range.
Please wear clean clothes and shoes, especially if you’ve been around other poultry recently. Taking this precaution will help keep diseases away from the turkeys and keep the birds healthy. Thank you!
John peterson31659 county 24 blvd., cannon Falls, mN 55009 (one block west of us 52 on county 24 blvd.)507-263-4556 | www.ferndalemarketonline.com
GArdENs oF EAGANopEn: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.restrooms available | Goods for sale | samples offered | complimentary refreshments
Crafting for the kids, fruit sampling, and a market stand, along with plenty to see on the greenhouse and tractor-trailer tours. Visit Gardens of Eagan’s brand-new farm in Northfield, and see firsthand how their nonprofit partner, the Organic Field School (OFS), grows great organic farmers. The OFS program selects the best and brightest of new farmers and offers them affordable land leases, equipment use, and mentoring — all supported with Gardens of Eagan’s 30-plus years of growing organically. Fazenda Boa Terra, Bossy Acres, and Humble Pie Farms provide produce and flowers to 225-plus families and
individuals in the seven-county metro area. Gardens of Eagan primarily serves the Twin Cities grocery and natural foods stores. Best of all, these four farms work side-by-side to cultivate 125 acres of soil and two acres of greenhouses in Northfield.
Libby Wyrum 5680 W. 290th st., Northfield, mN 55057507-645-5244 | www.gardensofeagan.com
GroWiNG LoTs urbAN FArmopEn: 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Formal Tours aT ThE Top oF EaCh hour.restrooms available | Goods for sale | samples offered | refreshments available
Tour Growing Lots’ high-tunnel operation in which they’ll show off their rainwater catchment/pond demonstration system and their commercial worm-bin operation. They also will be brewing compost tea in their Vortex Tea Brewer and discussing how they transformed a parking lot into a verdant urban farm. Beez Kneez honey will also use this site to launch their beehive tours (see the Beez Kneez listing in this booklet for more information). There will be refresh-ments and samples provided, in addition to Beez Kneez honey, cut flowers, and vegetables for sale.
stefan meyer and michael pursell1912 E. 22nd st., minneapolis, mN 55404612-889-6196 | www.growinglotsurbanfarm.com
KohNErT orGANic FArmsopEn: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.restrooms available | samples offered | complimentary refreshments
Stop by for a self-guided walking tour of this second-generation, 80-acre organic farm. The tour will provide the opportunity to see a wide variety of organic vegetables and medicinal herbs in various stages of growth. Signs along the mowed walking path will identify plants and explain their healing qualities. The Kohnerts will be available to answer any questions you may have at the end
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of your tour. The medicinal-herb part of the farm has been in operation more than 25 years and was the true beginning of the business. The farm has since expanded to vegetables, which are sold through the St. Peter Food Co-op. The Kohnerts look forward to seeing you and sharing their knowledge of organic farming with you.
Jennifer and Jason Kohnert18009 state hwy. 99, montgomery, mN 56069612-703-7571
L&r pouLTry & producEopEn: 11 a.m.–4 p.m., guidEd Tours aT 12:30 & 2:30 p.m.restrooms available | refreshments: ice water | meals for purchase
L&R Poultry & Produce is a diverse 72-acre woodland farm that features organically grown vegetables; maple syrup production; and free-range laying hens, broiler chickens, and turkeys. Visit the farm and see how they grow five acres of organically grown vegetables in dryland (an agricultural technique for non-irrigated cultivation of land). Take a walk in the cool shade of the maple “sugar bush” forest, and learn about the process of syrup production. Meet the hard-working laying hens, and pick an egg from the nest. Watch broiler chickens and turkeys “free-ranging” and enjoying sunshine and fresh air.
They will have maple syrup; whole chickens and chicken parts; eggs; seasonal produce; baked goodies; and jams and jellies available for purchase, so bring along a cooler.
You can also purchase a meal featuring their hot maple-barbequed pulled chicken sandwiches before or after your tour. Bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic with your family and friends.
rae rusnak6999 408th st., Kenyon, mN 55946 507-649-1405 | www.lrpoultryproduce.com
LiViNG LANd FArmopEn: 11 a.m.–2 p.m., guidEd Tour aT 1 p.m.restrooms available | complimentary refreshments
Living Land Farm owners Adam Ellefson and Lupita Marchán invite you to an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Self-guided tours will take place throughout the day, with a guided tour at 1 p.m. The 22-acre farm — 16 acres woods and six acres tillable land — is located in the Minnesota River Valley along the scenic Ottawa Bluffs. Come see the three acres under production and check out the native plant remnants and sections under restoration. Living Land Farm distributes their harvest to CSA members and they sell wholesale to St. Peter Food Co-op and River Rock Coffee. Visitors can also observe (from a distance) bees in action, cared for by Hendrycks Apiaries. Experience the beautiful sur-roundings that the Ottawa Bluffs offer.
Adam Ellefson and Lupita marchán42199 ottawa rd., st. peter, mN 56082 507-720-5364 | www.livinglandfarm.com | [email protected]
riVErbENd FArmopEn: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.restrooms available | samples offered | complimentary refreshments
Riverbend Farm is an organic vegetable farm that provides produce to a CSA (community-supported agriculture program), restaurants, food co-ops and schools. When Reynolds purchased the farm in 1992, about half of the farm was CRP (grass) and half was corn. It took several years for the soil biology to recover and come back to life. After about five years of organic management, the soil was revived and became more vital and productive. Tour a successful, small, local, diversified vegetable farm. See their crops and seed-production experiments. Hear about crop rotations and efforts towards sustainability. Learn about the importance of locally adapted seed.
Greg reynolds5405 sE calder Ave., delano, mN 55328763-972-3295 | www.rbfcsa.com
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shEphErd’s WAy FArmsopEn 11 a.m.–3 p.m.restrooms available | Goods for sale | complementary refreshments | samples offered
Making award-winning artisan sheep milk cheese since 1998, Shepherd’s Way Farms is located just outside Northfield, Minn. At Shepherd’s Way, they believe there is a way to live that combines hard work, creativity, respect for the land and animals, and a focus on family and friends. They believe there is still a place for the small, family-based farm in our society. Everything they do, everything they make, is in support of this goal.
Open for visitors 11 a.m.–3 p.m., with guided tours of the milking and cheese-making facilities at noon and 2 p.m. (see the completed new/old historic lamb barn). Enjoy tastings of their nationally acclaimed cheeses and sausages, which are available for purchase. Ask about their cheese CSA!
Jodi ohlsen-read8626 E. 160th st., Nerstrand, mN 55053612-306-4211 | www.shepherdswayfarms.com | [email protected]
simpLE hArVEsT FArm orGANicsopEn: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.restrooms available (at start of tour) | Goods for sale | complimentary refreshments | samples offered
Simple Harvest Farm Organics highlights a full range of food and fiber oppor-tunities. Farm owner Kathy Zeman and her brother, Nick, live on the 20-acre certified-organic farm in the rolling hills of Nerstrand, Minn., just down the hill from the historic Valley Grove Churches and Big Woods State Park.
The day’s events will feature the milking of their goats, an observation hive for bees, the spinning of skirting wool, and a walking tour of the grounds to see all of the animals and gardens. Simple Harvest feels strongly that a resilient food system feeds itself with all manner of reuse and diversity: vegetable compost becomes treats for the hens, fallen apples are pig snacks, and livestock manure feeds the crops and replenishes the soil.
Neighboring farms Singing Hills Goat Dairy will also be on hand with their delicious goat cheeses and yogurt, as well as, Schoolhouse Apiary with their honey and beeswax candles and ornaments. Fresh eggs, frozen poultry (chick-ens, ducks, geese), and goat-milk soap will be for sale.
Kathy zeman9800 E. 155th st., Nerstrand, mN 55053507-664-9446 | www.simpleharvestfarm.com | [email protected]
sToNE’s ThroW urbAN FArmopEn: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Formal Tours aT 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.restrooms available | Goods for sale | samples offered | refreshments available: lemonade, water, carrots, cucumbers, radishes, and turnips
Stone’s Throw Urban Farm is located within the Twin Cities, and is intent on providing a livable wage for farm partners and employees; improving the ecological health of the land upon which they farm; and engaging communi-ties in on-farm activities and equitable food access. You will have a chance to observe a beautiful, productive farm located on biologically active vacant lots within Minneapolis. Farm tours will highlight intensive production techniques and soil-improvement methods, as well as their efforts to produce high-quality vegetables in a metropolitan area. Stone’s Throw’s specialty salad greens, aru-gula, and colorful carrots and beets will be available for purchase. Participants may also enjoy face painting and bocce ball games.
Alex Liebman and robin major2820 s. 15th Ave., minneapolis, mN 55407413-320-7018 | www.stonesthrowurbanfarm.com
ThousANd hiLLs cATTLE compANyopEn: 1–2:30 p.m.restrooms (at start of tour) | Goods for sale | complimentary refreshments | samples offered
When the farmers at Thousand Hills Cattle Co. discovered they couldn’t find fresh, grass-fed beef close to their home in Cannon Falls, Minn., they decided
2019
to provide it. Now, they’re legendary among local chefs and discerning eaters in the region, providing 100-percent grass-fed beef. You can learn more about this local legend during the Eat Local Farm Tour. Meet at their warehouse in Cannon Falls at 1 p.m. They will give you an overview of what they do, and then you’ll caravan to the farm to see their cattle and tour their operation. Space is limited to 40 spots. Call Jude at Thousand Hills (507-263-4001 x225) to reserve your spot.
Jude Larson6492 318 st., suite A, cannon Falls, mN 55009507-263-4001 x225 | www.thousandhillscattleco.com | [email protected]
WomEN’s ENViroNmENTAL iNsTiTuTEopEn: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.restrooms | Goods for sale | complimentary refreshments
Starting at 10 a.m., the Women’s Environmental Institute (WEI) will be giving tours of their farm, orchard, green houses, hoop houses and retreat center.
Visitors will have opportunities to get their hands dirty with farm chores ranging from weeding to composting. Children can explore the farm during a scavenger hunt, exploring the different crops and natural flora and fauna on the beautiful farm. After searching high and low on the scavenger hunt, kids can sit back and relax in a miniature horse cart rider made possible by friends and neighbors at F&S Acres of North Branch. Feeling hungry? A make-your-own fresh veggie pizza appetizer station will be setup for you to build your own delicious treat from produce grown on their farm. After a taste of fresh, organic veggies on your pizza, stop by the farm stand and buy some produce to take home.
WEI at Amador Hill is a nonprofit environmental research, renewal, and retreat center working for environmental justice and agricultural progress. WEI’s certified-organic CSA program helps support their mission of environmental and agricultural justice.
Anika Walz15715 river rd., North branch, mN 55056651-583-0705 | www.w-e-i.org | [email protected]
The 2013 Eat Local Farm Tour is sponsored by 11 Twin Cities-area food co-ops: