In typical Forks in the Dirt fashion, I have gift ideas for you that cover a lot of ground. So, here’s my lovingly curated, Mix + Match, Handmade, Local, Always Learning + Eco Friendly Holiday Gift Guide.

Homemade Gifts

Calendula Salve:
Calendula Salve is a super healing and soothing balm great for cold northern winters. I make it with my homegrown Calendula Resina, but Mountain Rose herbs has high quality herbal products.

Soap:
I love gifting homemade soaps, especially when it contains some of my own floral or herbal infused oils! I keep it simple and usually have make the hot process soap. We go over this recipe in detail in our book, Small-Scale Homesteading.

DIY Cocktail Infusing Kits:
These are super simple to make but are really a big impact gift. The recipes I share in THIS ARTICLE are some of my favorite, but you can get creative. Just don’t forget to make a few extra for yourself! All recipes can be made into N/A options.

Towels:
I had so much fun making these Veggie Print Towels. Being able to find organic cotton tea towels sealed the deal for me. Plus my kids wanted to help with this project!
*You can also make these prints onto saved packing paper and use for wrapping!

Canned Goods:
My Apple Recipes for homemade apple butter, apple sauce, or dried apple rings, make great Christmas gifts with locally grown produce. I also get rave reviews when I give away my Sweet Relish and Dilly Beans as gifts.

SHOP LOCAL FOOD

Not all of us have the time or energy (raising my hand right now) to make all the things each and every year, so I also LOVE supporting local farmers and crafters anyway I can!

Shop the WBL Winter Farmers Market (or other local farmers markets) and stock up on locally made with love gifts!

Meet the Minnesota Makers does local shopping for you in their Gift Guide!

Buy a CSA

Buying a family a Community Supported Agriculture share for the next year is a great way to show that family AND a farmer that you care! Many local farms are updating their CSA order forms as I write! Some SOLID local farmers to buy shares from include:

All Good Organics
Big River Farm Independent Farmers CSA
The Good Acre’s Farm Share
Sarah’s Cottage Creations Bouquet CSA

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions to garden related associations are a great way to support a person’s passions and a cause. These give the opportunity for leaps in learning, connection and endless way keep growing! What other local garden clubs and or organizations would be a good fit for your friends and family?

Minnesota Horticultural Society:
For me the MN Horticultural Society membership is a no-brainer. It means I get copies of the award winning “Northern Gardener Magazine” along with discounts at local garden centers, and access to great online and in person classes. They’ve also got some fun items in the SHOP!

Seed Savers Exchange:
The Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit organization that works to keep seed diversity growing. You’ll get the inside scoop on upcoming classes, catalogs and events.

CLASSES

For Skills
Marine Mills Folk School has classes for everyone on everything from growing microgreens to keeping bees, carving wooden spoons and weaving baskets!

Online Cooking Classes are a great way to introduce friends and family to new menus and new skills!

Local Chef Matt Ellison teaches a variety of individualized cooking classes and prepares weekly meals via his Company, Chef’s House.

Online Garden Classes:
taught by me

On Demand (pre-recorded)
Seed Starting Class
Vertical Gardening Class

In Person Classes Spring 2026
Herbal Slave Making
Veg Garden Design
Grow Your Own Salad Bowl

BOOKS

OK, so I have a thing for books… Nothing quite compares to flipping open to a page to find that bit of info, recipe or inspiration.

So I’ve got a separate collection just for all my favorite books HERE.

But of course, I’ll mention our book…

Small-Scale Homesteading
by Michelle Bruhn + Stephanie Thurow

This is our book… And it is full of Inspiration + Information to get you started on your homesteading journey! Chapters on Gardening, Preserving the Harvest, Keeping Chickens, Maple Sugaring, and Healthy Home Projects!

Amazon Storefront

While I don’t love Amazon and what it stands for, it is a simple way to gather my favorite items in one place. So I’ll link HERE for you to browse what I already use in my home, from the garden to the kitchen. Feel free to buy from a local shop instead of Amazon. I’m all about supporting the small, local businesses!

I just dropped a lot of options! This isn’t meant to overwhelm… I hope these gift ideas either make a good fit or are a springboard for other thoughtful gifts that go beyond a little bling… And if this list did give you other ideas, I’d love to hear what they are!

Happy Holidays to you all!

Dig In,
Michelle

The post Forks in the Dirt Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Forks in the Dirt.

This is a place that withstands the test of time and triumphs with knowledge blended with caring. I mean, when was the last time a store’s sales person actually listened to you; and then actually knew what you needed, had it for a fair price and did what it was supposed to. Obviously, their customers love them.

Steve Marier runs the Mill and is a fourth generation Marier Mill Manager (say that three times fast). He could easily double as the town historian. He’s been a part of Hugo’s shift from agricultural land to housing developments and Hugo feed mill is still thriving because he and his family desire to adapt to best serve their neighbors.

Walk Down Memory Lane

Steve remembers shoveling and delivering coal to homes and farms on the rail line, along with the huge pile of corn cobs that would get dumped in the parking lot after combining time. The mill itself was built in 1917, it’s been in Steve’s family since 1925. For many years it was mainly a country grain business, grinding local grains for feed.

I remember being a young girl, 8 or 9, and going ‘up to the Mill’ to get mallard ducklings to raise on our family’s pond. Since then Hugo Feed Mill has held a special place in this Urban homesteader’s heart. More history on their website.

It’s their up-to-date practices, with the latest products and applications mixed perfectly with their ability to help you grow that keeps customers coming back.

Greenhouse

Their greenhouse is open for the season with herbs and bedding plants. They’ll be overflowing with their signature HUGE selection of peppers and tomatoes by May 18th; thank you cold and wet Minnesota Spring.

Steve, aka “Dr. Pepper” estimates around 425 peppers 175 tomatoes varieties to be available in the Greenhouse this Spring.
They hold planting parties and tasting events on site. Steve also gives ‘Pepper Talks’ around town. Follow them on their Facebook Page, or sign up for their “timely tips’ email list to stay in the know on their events and specials.

The Mill is a great community partner as well. They give seed and starter plants to Giving Gardens each year. Giving Gardens is a non-profit helping neighbors grow food for themselves and food shelves.

They also tend a Kids Potting Bench where kids can pot up a free flower. Special flowers and pots available for some special kids over Mother’s Day weekend!

**Mention this blog or that you saw it on their Facebook page to get the special Mother’s Day plants!**

Happy Mothers Day from Hugo Feed Mill

Garden Supplies

A full line of soil amendments, fertilizers and seeds is waiting inside the store. From sprinklers to live traps they have everything the home gardener could need- and if its not in their store they can likely order it for you. I learn something new each time I shop there.

Chick Orders

Their chick orders, minimum order of 5 per breed, run now through the end of May. They have over 20 breeds of chickens, and mallards. This is the first place I bought chicks, a dozen years ago. If you stop in when they have the chicks waiting to be picked up you might even catch a glimpse, and they sometimes have extras (another good reason to follow them on Facebook). More about raising urban chickens HERE.

I also get all my straw from them for my backyard flock’s coop bedding. These bales also make a great base for straw bale gardens!

And their organic chicken feed, Nature’s Grown Organic, is my girls’ absolute favorite.

… & Hardware

Find farm supplies like fencing and stock tanks. Horse supplies like bedding and barn lime, bird feeders and seed and pet foods, even plumbing and electrical items (which I admit I didn’t really know!).

The Old Mill

Attached to the old mill is the storage and granary part of the business. Backing up to the loading dock always makes me feel like a little more of a farm girl than I really am

There is always something new to find at Hugo Feed Mill, whether feed, seed or knowledge you’ll have to go find out for yourself.

I feel lucky to have had Hugo feed mill in my neighborhood for all of my years here, and close to 100 years in their family.

Let me know if you stop into Hugo Feed Mill- and be sure to tell me what you learned when you were there. They’re great at helping you get your fork in the dirt too!

Dig In,
Michelle

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