The second annual BearPower Harvest Party will feature FREE small bites crafted by local chefs from local food. We’re pairing delicious food with family activities and eco-friendly information.

This is your chance to celebrate community grown food! Join us 12-3pm on Sunday, September 22, 2019. The event will take place at the White Bear Area YMCA Community Gardens, at 2100 Orchard Lane behind the YMCA building. We’ll be serving food until we run out, so join the party early. We’ll be inside the YMCA if the weather is really bad, so this is a rain or shine event!

Follow the Harvest Party
Facebook Event
for Updates and Fun!

Local Food 

Much of the produce was grown in local community Gardens. Our own WBL School District (Central, Lakeaires, Matoska and Oneka) the WBL Health Partners Clinic Garden, Tamarack Nature Center Garden and the YMCA Community Gardens are all sharing produce for the event. Local organic farm, All Good Organics, will again be donating lots of organic grown goodness to round out our garden harvests.

Local Chefs

Chefs Matt Ellison of Bonfire Restaurants and Peggy Doran of Margaux’s Table are donating their time and talents to turn the food into tasty meals. They’ere even inviting a few lucky kids to help them prep food before the party starts! Contact me directly if you are interested in helping the chefs too. Local fall veggies will delight your taste buds; think Fall soup + rustic salad… but the exact recipes will have to wait as the chefs see what produce rolls in the day before!

In addition to the veggies, BearPower has brought more community goodness together. Pine Tree Apple Orchard and the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf are teaming up again to hand out apples and raise awareness of local hunger issues and how you can help. Farmers Market favorite, Great Harvest Bread Company, is donating bread to use in the small bites that will be served. All Good Organics will be on site to talk about organic farming and will likely have something delicious to give away!

Activities

The YMCA will be holding a few Kids’ Fitness classes in the garden. The White Bear Lake Seed Library will be giving seed saving demonstrations and information on their organization, housed in our downtown public library. BearPower is bringing family fun with giant yard games and ways to make healthy eating and activities a part of your routine. Everyone’s favorite carrot, Chomp, will be on site to get kids pumped about living healthy.

The WBL schools will have a table about their gardens, and teachers on site to talk about schoolyard gardens. Ramsey County Master Gardeners will be available for your gardening Q&A. Forks in the Dirt will have a table about the impact of eating local, getting kids in the garden and gardening tips. Our local WBL PD will be there as well with ideas for staying safe while out and about.

Event Grew from Love

This event grew from long-time Health Partners physician, Dr. Elsa Keeler, and her commitment to growing healthy families. Dr. Keeler is taking a leave of absence while working hard to fight cancer.

Let’s take some time to celebrate all we’ve grown this season! Hope to see you there… you don’t get to vote unless you sample

Can. Not. Wait. to Dig In to this!!
Michelle

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This Harvest Party grew from the BearPower organization. White Bear Lake is lucky to have the efforts and talents of this group of dedicated people. They’re working to bring healthy living to our community in so many different ways.

I’ve been digging into coordinating this BearPower Harvest Party with the BearPower team and loving finding the best of the best to help celebrate community grown food. We’ve brought together the cream of the crop local chefs to prepare all that lovingly grown food. Add to that a great mix of activities to take over our White Bear Area YMCA gardens for the day and you’ve got a can’t miss event! We’ve got FREE food,  games,  information, samples and activities to get you growing your love of good food!

More Information by clicking on the -> Facebook Event Page

The Details:

Sunday Sept 23rd @12:00-3:00PM
White Bear Area YMCA Community Garden
2100 Orchard Lane, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Indoors @ the YMCA if raining

Harvest Party Food

Tamarack Nature Center Gardens

All the food at the harvest Party was grown in local community gardens, including WBL district schools, HealthPartners White Bear Lake Clinic, Tamarack Nature Center, and the YMCA community gardens! 5 of the beds growing food for the event are part of the awesome local initiative, “Giving Gardens“. Making sure we have enough food to fill in the gaps, All Good Organics local farm has pledged to donate from their recent harvests as well!

Chef Challenge

A chef challenge meal, created from all the locally grown food will be served starting at noon. We’ll keep serving until every last veggie has been eaten. If there’s simply too much food, extras will go the White Bear Area Food Shelf.

The food service will include some freshly made soups and grilled veggies. Huge thanks to  local chefs, Ben Pratt of Ingredients Café + The Burger Bar and Matt Ellison of Bonfire Restaurants, who will be creating tasty creations with all the veggies we throw at them! I can’t wait to see what they come up with

Vote for your favorite food on your way out!

Glen Oliphant of United Methodist Church, WBL with freshly harvested potatoes and herbs to go into the breads!

Bread baked by White Bear Lake United Methodist Church in their Community Bread Oven during a community bread bake on Saturday will also be donated. Ciabatta and Focaccia were mentioned when I was talking with one of the bakers! Our garden-grown herbs and potatoes will be used in making the breads.

Nancy Jacobson with some freshly harvested apples!

Pine Tree Apple Orchard is donating crates of freshly picked apples for the event as well. The apples will be handed out by volunteers from the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf. Please think about making a monetary donation to the food shelf to help make sure all our neighbors have access to good food!

It is so amazing to be able to say that ALL the veggies were grown and/or donated by community members!

Harvest Party Activities

We’ve got a little something for everyone during the Harvest Party!

Chomp at an earlier YMCA Garden Event

BearPower ‘larger than life’ games and the famous carrot mascot, “Chomp” will be perusing the party ready for photos.

Insect Hotel We will be group building a “beneficial bug hotel” Stop by to add your mark and help pollinate our YMCA gardens!

Beets from the YMCA gardens

White Bear Lake Schools will have a table, highlighting the gardens and gardeners (mostly kids) that grew food for the event!

The YMCA will have information on renting a garden bed in the gardens next season. We will also be handing out a limited number of strawberry plants that YMCA Summer Power kids helped propagate!

Sunflowers in the YMCA garden

White Bear Lake Seed Library will be doing Seed Saving Demos with plants growing in the gardens. Take home Seeds to get your garden growing next year! We’ll be working with sunflower and marigold seeds to name a few!

Ramsey County Master Gardeners will be onsite ready for your questions, and info on getting the most out of your Fall garden, and how to prepare it for Winter.

Health Partners Health Club will be onsite with info on eating healthy and demos.

All Good Organics farmer will be onsite with info on growing organic and a few surprises. This farm has dedicated to fill in produce that we need to round out the harvest party meal.

Butch and Kris from All Good Organics

Keeping it Local

As YMCA Community Garden coordinator, I’m wearing a few hats during this event, I’ll be onsite with a Forks in the Dirt information table about the impact of eating local and samples to share!

I LOVE how this whole event began; a well-loved local doctor, Elsa Keeler, had a vision to bring families together over locally grown healthy food. Just look what that one well rooted idea has become!

Staying True to Doing Good

Hanging with some of the YMCA garden Club kids

One of the reasons I started blogging was to highlight all the good that is happening around us.

Forks in the Dirt’s motto is “Crossing paths with Farmers, Food and Doing Good”

And with this event, I got to be part of making that good happen. I have learned so much about our community and how strongly we believe in AND follow through with showing up for one another. It makes me proud to be part of this community

The amount and diversity of Community Gardens in our area truly amazes me. It really is a testament to people wanting to be more connected to the food they eat, and the land they inhabit. If you are interested in joining any of the local community gardens, read my earlier blog post all about our local gardens!

Can’t wait to Dig into some good food and good conversations- hope to see you there!

Michelle

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The WBL Winter Farmers Market:  December 9  
10am – 2pm at Tamarack Nature Center

So many local people and groups have made this event a success even before the first shopper sips hot cider or scores a squash…

BearPower, The  “community-wide movement helping White Bear Lake area families eat well and be active”.  I applied for one of their Ambassador Grants and wouldn’t you know it, they saw the value in holding a local foods winter market.  They agreed it was one way to help people eat healthier, less processed foods a little longer in to the ‘off season’ and inspire more home cooked meals along the way.  Big thanks to Julia of BearPower, who was always encouraging and dependable.

Then, of course there are the farmers & food producers (listed and linked below) who know their customers well enough to know they’d be supported at this market. But some didn’t know me, or even where the market was going to be at first. They took a chance and committed to the event.

Pine Tree Apple Orchard,  wanted to come and sell cider and pies, but couldn’t stretch their staff to make it work (because serving their orchard store customers had to come first) and was almost lost to the market.

But, once our White Bear Area Food Shelf committed to having volunteers available to help serve up cider, Pine Tree generously agreed to donate cider instead, giving the Food Shelf a chance to bring in donations.  Please consider making a stop out to Pine Tree for one their amazing apple pies!

Tamarack Nature Center Building in Summer

Tamarack Nature Center made renting the facility easy as pie! (I’m obviously still thinking of Pine Tree’s apple pies) Thank you Joyce and Marcy! What a perfect location for a health focused farmers market. The building is just right and there are miles of walking trails right out the door!

KaytJoyceDesign …and then to make it all look legit, I wrangled a White Bear Lake newcomer, Kayt. She whipped up a logo that wowed us all!! I mean, let’s look at this logo again

Is it just me, or are you all feeling the Christmas spirit too?!?

…and we haven’t even gotten to talk about the food yet!!

I’ve had so much fun (and learned so much) hand picking this unique blend of top notch local vendors. You’ll find small start-ups to established family farms. It was my goal to gather an intimate, yet well-rounded group of local foods to shop, and I think we’re there

Our Local Farmers & Producers:

All Good Organics: variety of winter storage vegetables, frozen summer vegetables, homemade canned items, eggs

Dahl Hobbie Farm: jellies, jams, raw honey, chutney

Douville Bakery: quick breads, pastries, granola, trail mix, maple syrup

Eichtens: variety of locally sourced and crafted cheeses

Gilbertson Farm: humanely raised beef and pork, variety of variety of winter storage vegetables

Great Harvest: yeast breads, rolls, scones

Ingredients Café: scratch made butternut & apple puree, and tomato basil soups

Olive Branch Oil & Spce Company: olive oil and vinegar blends, spice blends

Weeds Greens: micro greens, fresh herbs, baby greens

As if you needed more incentive to come and shop after that list, BearPower is giving away reusable bags to the first 100 shoppers!

There’s a little something for the kids too- Chomp the BearPower Carrot mascot will be walking the market giving out high fives and photo ops.

 So get ready to sip some cider, shop local and walk (off that extra pastry you couldn’t turn down) all in one place.

See you on December 9^th!

No really, I’ll be there too!

I’ll be ready to talk all things local food: backyard chickens, composting, raised garden beds, seed saving, growing your own, preserving your own, and/or finding the best local food resources. I’ve even got a fun little basket of my garden grown goodies to raffle off!

My mission in getting this winter market (and my website) together is to help us ALL make healthier, more sustainable food choices- one step at a time.  One key point I learned early on was that I can’t grow it all. It is also way more fun, tasty and inspiring to eat what other local farmers grow. It feels more natural, being part of the cycle of food. We all have a place in the food system.

There I am with Betty, one of my four girls.

I began cultivating relationships with local farmers long before I decided to start the blog and social media spaces last spring. My love of growing good food and buying local stems from growing up in my parent’s gardens, on the north side of White Bear Lake.

As newlyweds we raised chickens, but had to send off our hens to a friend’s farm when we found our new home in White Bear Lake. But I still wanted chickens… So, in April of 2016 I worked with City Council member, Bill Walsh and the great city staff, to change the city’s ordinance- allowing for raising backyard hens. Here’s the link to finding out more about backyard Hens in WBL .

Join me as I explore the many paths to eating healthy local foods. You can subscribe (in the  sidebar) to get new blog posts or follow the White Bear Lake Winter Farmers Market Facebook event page to see more vendor information.

There really is something special about “bloom where you’re planted”– I believe that truth holds for “eat from where you’re planted” too.

Can’t wait to Dig In to all the food I’ll be bringing home from the market- wonder what I’ll make first!?!

Michelle

*Bring cash, as not all vendors take credit cards!*

The post A Winter Farmers Market is Coming to Town! appeared first on Forks in the Dirt.

An early season market haul

I’ll admit it, my first few trips to the farmer’s market were pretty much like trips to a grocery store. Most of us are just not used to shopping directly from IRL farmers. While I can respect shopping a farmer’s market like a grocery store (you’ll still get super-fresh, tasty, nutritious foods) …for me, part of the Farmer’s Market experience is being able to connect with the farmers. I’m looking to knock out a few chains in the old food chain by visiting. And then there’s the plain old fact that the food tastes phenomenal! Sometimes even better than even your own home-grown produce, I mean these people are the pros after all. Through the last decade I’ve gathered some tips to help you make the most of your market visit.

Ask Away!

I get it- at first asking questions can be a weird thing; maybe we’re too “Minnesota Nice”, or maybe we’re just not used to being able to ask anything about our food. But really, isn’t getting closer to ‘Farm to Table’ eating why you’re at the Farmer’s Market? Don’t be worried about offending a farmer by asking them why their farm isn’t certified organic; you’ll learn so much about the how and why of their farming techniques you can’t help but feel good about eating it.

Here are some questions to get you started:

“Where is your farm?”
“When was this picked?”
“Do you use organic methods?”
 “Any new crops coming next week?”

These questions should get most farmers going! They’ve worked hard to grow and bring this food to market, their name and livelihood is dependent upon people caring enough to buy the food they grow again and again (another 180 from the supermarket).

White Bear Lake Farmers Market 2017

Powers of Observation

“There’s visual evidence behind the display table to give you big clues to how the farmer handles their food,” that’s a tip straight from a farmer who’s been selling at markets for almost 30 years.

It makes sense; if a farmer sets a tray of produce onto hot pavement (which will wilt it) at the market, how are they handling that food when no one is looking? Are there re-used containers, open or closed containers in the vehicle, coolers?

When my kids were at that ‘suicide watch’ stage of development (aka most of toddlerhood), I’d feel bad asking a farmer a question only to have to abandon the conversation to chase after my offspring. I still learned a ton  by hanging back (fine, call it eves dropping) and I kept coming back for more!

Not quite speed dating, but…
Just because the first farmer you come across has beautiful cucumbers doesn’t mean the farmers down the way don’t have beautiful cucumbers too- maybe grown organically and less expensive. The Real Estate law of “Location, Location, Location” applies to farmer’s markets as well. Take your time and shop around. The farmers’ stalls stay put, you get to peruse and compare- it’s actually really fun once you get comfy!

Happy shoppers on opening day at the White Bear Lake Farmers Market.

The More the Merrier

Bring friends with you to the market. You’ll be more likely to linger and maybe a wee bit bolder to ask farmers your burning questions. *Bonus* you’ll have someone to keep your kids from eating all the bread/caramel corn/honey samples at the next booth over (yes, I’ve learned my lesson now).

Getting to know these hard working, knowledgeable farmers adds so much more than a few extra ears of corn in your bag (which farmers have been known to do after building a relationship with you.) These are the people who know what is coming into season next week, and what will be gone until next year. Valuable info that helps you plan meals around the freshest produce!

I have no idea who this guy is, I just could not decide who my favorite farmer is…

Get Social

To take your connection to the next level, go ahead and ask your favorite farmer if they’re online. You’d be amazed at how many farmers share their stories on one or more social networks. You’ll get to see stories about the ups and downs of farming, healthy recipes for what’s in season and maybe even some adorable baby chick, lamb and calf photos- who wouldn’t want a few of these stories rolling through their feed!?!

Some of my favorite social sites so far:
Facebook:  Heinel Farms  &  Fresh Earth Farms
Instagram: Winnowburrow Farm  &  The Dirt Mag
Blog:  Broadfork Farm

Do you have a Family Farm’s social site you love? Please share it with us!

The early bird gets the… Melon

If you’re craving a watermelon, and they’re just coming on, get there early because there’s no warehouse storage facilities here. Farmers tend to harvest everything that’s ripe and within the realm of what they can sell that day. Example: If the weather is supposed to be rainy, the farmers won’t expect as many shoppers at market, they might not harvest as much, but the clouds blow away and it’s a beautiful summer morning. Well, just see how many farmers are completely sold out before the end of market time. This is part of the local food game. If you think about it, they’re just being good stewards of the land. I mean they have to cut it close, because just like you hate to throw away a bag of spinach- so do they.

*ps- Composting a purchased bag of greens is worlds away from tossing your lovingly home-grown greens; believe me!

Procrastinators Rewards

Showing up late has its advantages at the market. Since these are real farmers in charge of their own sales they can decide to take some $ off the top if the market is closing soon and no one was interested in broccoli that day.  Or if you buy by the case/bushel rather than a few at  a time. Which is a great way to stock that freezer with nutrient rich locally grown food for the long cold winter nights. For some pointers on freezing look no further than our very own University of Minnesota and their easy to follow resources for How to Freeze Produce. Or just watch THIS U of MN VIDEO narrated by Forks in the Dirt guest blogger, Megan Baumler.

At my hometown White Bear Lake Farmer’s Market, about 30 minutes before closing some farmers are ready to sell at a discount, but timing probably depends on the size and attendance of the market. Also, the veggies will be picked through, but anything you buy there will be fresher by far than a grocery store. But be prepared if the hot new item is gone by the end of the market.

A Few More Tips

Any decent article on farmer’s market how-to should include these points as well:

• Bring your own bags (in my book re-useable bags include Target bags that actually do a better job of keeping in moisture than fabric bags).
• Bring Cash (duh).
• Know that you can use SNAP benefits at most markets (check the market website)
• Bring a cooler (there are amazing meats and dairy at these markets too).
• If your low on self-control, (like yours truly) feed your crew first, trust me here!
• SMILE! You are lucky to be able to shop this variety of lovingly grown food

I urge you to get out there and visit your local farmer’s market- and I dare you to wait the extra week or two to buy from your local farmer’s market what the grocery store has delivered from down south. Your taste buds, the local economy, and even your nutritional intake will be improved!

New to the Farmer’s Market Game? Here’s the MN Grown list of Famer’s Markets,   it may take me a while to make it to all 185 Farmer’s Markets in MN, but I’m going to go ahead and DIG IN!

Michelle

The post Secrets to Shopping Success at Farmer’s Markets appeared first on Forks in the Dirt.

June16
Gibbs ‘Farm Fridays’ (for the family)

Gibbs Demonstrations – Ice Cream Making

This a unique farm experience for so many reasons; it’s nestled on the edge of the city and it showcases both pioneer and Dakota ways of life and gardening side by side. Farm Fridays feature weekly themes. They pack so much into their space, with the bonus of super friendly, knowledgeable staff in full pioneer garb. My kids are never sure how to talk with these costumed people, which adds to our quirky memories. This Friday we’re missing “Dakota Moons”, which (I think) is about planting with the moon; someone tell me what I missed! Gibbs Farm is open weekends too, with ‘Ice Cream Sundays’ featuring their homemade ice cream, on, you guessed it- Sundays.

Full disclosure* This place has been a favorite of mine since I had my birthday party here; we made corn husk dolls (like 30 years ago)!

Details: Admission: $8 adults, $7 seniors 62+, $5 children ages 4-16. Free for RCHS members.
2097 W. Larpenteur Ave. Saint Paul, MN 55113 There is local road construction so plan accordingly.

June 17
Breakfast on the Farm – (for the family)

I have not been to Goldview Farm, but I so wish I was going to this event! Start with a pancake breakfast fit for a farm hand; pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk with all proceeds above cost going to their local Food Shelf! (you know we love that) Then, check out the rest of the farm buildings and animals along with special events like: Wagon rides, FFA (Future Farmers of America) petting zoo, kiddie train rides, live music and free food samples. How could you not leave happier?
Details:  7am – 1pm, $5 (kids 5 and under are free) for the breakfast, the rest of the activities are free!
Goldview Farm- Waverly, MN 55390 – South of Howard Lake on County Rd 6 (directions)

June 17
Big River Farms  Volunteer Storm Recovery Day (couples or family with hard working kids)

As many of you know, farmers on the northern end of the Twin Cities got hit hard by the hail storm last Sunday. Big River Farms/Minnesota Food Association is a teaching farm for mainly immigrant farmers (see my full blog article on the farm here). While the buildings and greenhouses survived with just a few dings, the crops in the fields were destroyed. They’re hosting a  volunteer day this Saturday from 10am-2pm. Big River Farms manager, Molly Schaus said, “We’ll be doing anything we can to help farmers feel better about their situation which might be replanting, weeding, watering, or something else”.  Giving a few hands-on hours will reap rewards for you, the farmers, and have that trickle down effect that we Minnesotans are known for. It is a beautiful area, and you will be welcomed with open arms and hearts.
Details: 10am-2pm, Bring gloves, a lunch and water.
14220-B Ostlund Trl. N, Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047

(That’s some of the hail, what’s left of tomato plants growing in plastic mulch, and some beaten down Swiss Chard.)

June 17
Cook St. Paul Pop Up Dinner! Feat. Championship Tacos (couples or family)

You know the tacos are going to be GOOD when they offer salsa flights! Eddie Wu’s popular American + Korean breakfast and lunch joint keeps tantalizing those taste buds with these pop up celebrations of local food that are simply out of this world. Someone please eat these Championship Tacos for me. This pop up isn’t showing up on the Cook website yet – and it might not, but if you contact them they’ll get you on their email list, or follow them on Facebook so you too can know all about the tastiest pop ups in town, or just savor their “Bi Bim Bop” any old day.

Details: Dinner service 5- 9pm. $9-$12 for 3 tacos; veg, chicken, carnitas, steak, fish. Al a carte sides – But the salsas!
1124 Payne Ave. St. Paul, MN 55130

June18 *Happy Father’s Day*
Red Barn Pizza Farm (couples or family)

Nothing says “Cool Dad” like eating pizza outside a barn with a cold one of his choice- am I right?! Red Barn Farm uses their chemical free gardens to grow many of the pizza toppings, and use a vegan friendly homemade pizza dough. (GF options available) Order your pizza and wander the 10 acre farm while you wait. Bring full picnicking supplies, a Frisbee, etc… and enjoy your surroundings! This is for the Father that deserves the very best. More Sunday day and Wednesday night pizza bakes throughout the summer. Visit them on Facebook too. ps- that was their big beautiful red barn at the top of the post

Details: Pizza Ordering Hours 11:30-3:30, $25 for a 16” specialty pizza, $20 for a 4-cheese, $10 for a personal size GF and dessert pizza. BYO drinks; beer and wine OK too.
10063 110th St E Northfield, MN 55057

So…whew!
I’m just going to throw all these seeds of inspiration out there and see if anything takes root(ha). Please let me know your experiences with any- or all- of these events. I’d love to hear about them!

I’m off to Dig In to packing, ugh.

Michelle

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