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 Courtesy of Center Creek Orchard
We're Patching In
Find your match in the patch! Head to a pumpkin patch for fresh air, fall fun, and festive vibes. The Minnesota Grown directory has over 250 listings for pumpkin producers as well as crop mazes, hay rides, and loads of autumn fun!
Planning on staying inside? You can still get in on the fun! Pumpkin-scaping is taking over stoops and yards this fall. Our favorite technique? Remove the stems from pumpkins and gourds and stack them alongside mums for a cozy, curated vignette!
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 Courtesy of Rust Hill Ranch, Red Oak Acres, Prime Avenue Farm
Fill Up Your Freezer
Imagine meal planning this winter knowing that you are ready to go with a freezer full of delicious options. Maybe it's easy brats or burgers, a hearty beef stew, rich lamb chops, or a chicken ready for roasting!
While some livestock producers sell individual cuts, many also sell whole animals or portions like halves and quarters. Check out our blog post for the basics on what to expect when stocking up. Then find a local poultry or livestock farmer near you to get started!
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May Your Table Be Maple-y
🍁 Can't get enough maple syrup on your morning pancakes? Try using Minnesota Grown maple syrup as a pure natural sweetener in coffee, cocktails, or baked goods for an easy way to enjoy local goodness.
Maple syrup can be used for lunch and dinner, too! Go sweet & savory with our maple-mustard marinade (great on locally raised chicken!) or maple vinaigrette (hello, harvest salad!). Maple glazed squash, anyone?
Pick up a pint and find your maple syrup producer on the Minnesota Grown directory!
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 Courtesy of Phillips Farmstead
Gobble Gobble: Talking Turkey
Recently on our social media, we shared the inspiring story of Phillips Farmstead, a small, regenerative farm in Remer, MN, run by two former artists who traded city life for soil, livestock, and purpose. From pasture-raised Thanksgiving turkeys 🦃 to their adorable Pen Pal Pets program (yes, animals writing letters!), this farm shows us what it means to do things differently, and deliciously.
Curious what it means to "wear all the hats" as a farmer, or why booking a butcher can be harder than you'd think? Head over to our Facebook or Instagram pages to read the full story and fall in love with this hardworking family farm.
P.S. If you haven't yet, it's time to order your Minnesota Grown turkey!
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 Celebrating Farm to Kids Month!
🏫 October is National Farm to School Month, but here in Minnesota, we celebrate it as Farm to Kids Month - recognizing all the ways local food finds its way to kids of every age. From childcare centers and in-home family daycares to K-12 schools and youth programs, Farm to Kids highlights the farmers, educators, nutrition professionals, and community members who make these connections possible.
Check out the Minnesota Farm to School Success Stories Story Map to learn how Minnesota farmers and schools have connected through the Minnesota Department of Agricultures AGRI Farm to School and Early Care Grant Program, which is open for applications now!
If you know a K-12 school, childcare center, or family daycare provider that serves scratch made meals, let them know about the current grant funding available to support their purchases of Minnesota-grown and raised foods. First Bite and Full Tray grants are designed for K-12 schools and early care centers, and the new Local Tots Cost-Share is a great opportunity for licensed in-home daycare providers. Click here to learn more and apply before the Oct 23 deadline!
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 FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace: Nov 1
Support local farmers and food-makers at this year's FEAST! Local Foods Festival in Rochester on Saturday, November 1. Time to Sip, Sample, and Shop!
Sample artisan-crafted products, stock up on your favorites, and find fantastic gifts for the foodies in your life. Don't miss the cooking demonstrations, kids' activities, music, and prizes that make this event the place to be.
The FEAST! Local Foods Network is a partnership of many organizations, businesses, and individuals committed to growing a sustainable, local, and regional food system which encourages innovation.
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