Minnesota Grown

Learn to Prune Apple Trees
2026-03-07 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Women’s Environmental Institute, 15715 River Rd, North Branch, MN 55056, United States
Course Description: Skilled pruning increases the quality of your harvest and provides for better access to air, wind and sun for your apple trees.
Now is the time to learn what you need to know: the tools needed for pruning, the principles guiding best practices in pruning, best timing for pruning and spring thinning, and year by year pruning techniques from the very young seedling or the overgrown aged tree that needs your help.
Learn the art and science of apple tree pruning from experienced grower, Jim Birkholz of Pleasant Valley Orchard. The class will provide an overview of fruit tree growing habits and the reasons why we prune, along with an introduction to pruning techniques and principles, followed by an actual demonstration of pruning on the WEI Amador Hill Orchard.
All are welcome – WEI classes are open to everyone.
What to Bring: Be prepared to be in the out-of-doors, coats, gloves, boots for high snow, hats and warm layers of clothing. Bring your own tools, if you have them, and take care of them in the class. Please bring a lunch, snacks, and a water bottle.
Instructor Bio: Jim Birkholz, together with his wife Judy Erickson, own and operate Pleasant Valley Orchard near Shafer in southeast Chisago County. The family-owned farm consists of 15 acres of apples with the first plantings being made in 1991. They also grow strawberries, pumpkins and squash. Jim has been a member of statewide grower boards over the years in order to support and learn from successful local fruit and vegetable growers and to support higher education and businesses crucial to specialty crop agriculture. Earlier in his career Jim worked in soil and water conservation and remains involved in the field serving as chairman of the Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District.
WEI has an annual scholarship fund to support cost-accessible programming. Please see scholarship application instructions in the class registration form.

Practical Permaculture to Get You Started
2026-03-01 09:30 - 15:00 | Women’s Environmental Institute, 15715 River Rd, North Branch, MN 55056, United States
Course Description: We’ll start with seeing ourselves as part of nature- our gardens as part of the larger ecosystem, and how we can build simple systems to make lasting changes. We’ll go over the design process, consider soil life, how to work with water, build plant communities and best of all, ways to tend the permaculture garden so it is a truly sustainable way of growing with nature. We’ll dedicate time to start creating your own permaculture garden design.
All are welcome – WEI classes are open to everyone.
What to Bring: Come with a loose sketch of the property/area that you want to design. Bring a notebook or sketch paper, pencil with eraser, pen, and colored pencils if you have them.
Instructor Bios:
Michelle Bruhn homesteads in suburban Minnesota. She’s a local food advocate, Master Gardener Volunteer, writer, garden educator, and farmers’ market manager. As the founder of ForksInTheDirt.com, an information hub for garden and farm-to-table living, her passion is helping folks “dig” their food. When not in the garden, Michelle enjoys spending time with her backyard flock, family, and friends while immersing herself in nature (usually with a foraging basket in tow).
Elaina Moss is a master gardener that lives in Minneapolis on a 1/6 of an acre. She focuses on regenerative permaculture gardening methods and growing a wide variety of fruit trees (18), berry bushes (44), edible vines (7), along with other perennial edible and medicinal plants, even in her lawn.
Make a day of it! On the way to WEI, visit charming Lindstrom, MN, for Northwoods Roasterie coffee and a pastry from the Lindstrom Bakery. After class, visit Wild River State Park (only 10 minutes from WEI). Franconia Sculpture Park is also nearby and open ’til 8pm daily.
If you would be interested in staying overnight at WEI before and/or after this class, please reserve accommodations through our FarmStay.

Neighborhood Roots Winter Farmers Market
2026-02-07 10:00 - 13:00 | Bachman’s Floral, Gift & Garden, 6010 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55419, United States
Join friends, neighbors, farmers, and makers at this cozy indoor farmers market. Stock up on locally grown and raised groceries, discover unique gifts, and warm up with delicious ready-to-eat foods — all while supporting small businesses through the colder months.
Patrons of the Kingfield, Nokomis, and Southwest Farmers Markets will see lots of familiar faces! Neighborhood Roots is the non-profit behind those three outdoor markets as well as this indoor series. Learn more about Neighborhood Roots markets on their website.

Galentine's Bouquet & Brunch with Rustic Designs Flower Farm 2026
2026-02-07 09:30 - 11:00 | Redhead Creamery, United States
Join Redhead Creamery for a fun-filled Galentine’s Day bouquet and brunch at Redhead Creamery, in collaboration with Rustic Designs Flower Farm! Enjoy a delightful morning with friends as you:

Savor delicious bites from a gourmet cheese and brunch grazing table
Create your own stunning floral bouquet with expert guidance from Rustic Designs Flower Farm

Come for the flowers, stay for the cheese, and raise a glass to friendship! Perfect for celebrating with your closest gal pals. Cheese shop and restaurant will open promptly at 11:00AM for shopping and more celebrating.
Space is limited—reserve your spot today! No actual ticket sent.
This event takes place on Saturday, February 7th from 9:30AM-11:00AM at Redhead Creamery 31535 463rd Ave, Brooten, MN 56316.

AFSA Charter School MN Ag Night
2026-01-15 16:00 - 19:00 | AFSA Highschool, 100 Vadnais Blvd, Vadnais Heights, MN, 55127
Join us for a special night highlighting the MN agriculture industry!
January 15, 2026
4-7 p.m.

Meet with representatives from the MN agriculture industry
CDE/LDE sampler led by AFSA students
Spaghetti dinner – free!

Look who’s joining us:

CFANS
MN Beef Council
Minnesota Farm Bureau
Minnesota Grown
MN Pork Board
MN Turkey Growers

Holiday Forest Fair
2025-12-13 11:00 - 17:00 | The Mustard Seed Garden Center, 10000 Great Plains Blvd, Chaska, Minnesota, 55318, United States
The 4th Annual Holiday Forest Fair, hosted by Chick of the Woods, will take place on December 13, 2025 at the warm greenhouses of Mustard Seed Garden Center in Chaska, MN. This festive event is FREE and is a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Please RSVP below for tickets and to be updated on the event. Many more details to come.
With 40+ nature-themed vendors, attendees can browse and shop for unique gifts and treasures. The event will also feature expert demonstrations from nature enthusiasts, including special guests Robin Greenfield, ForagerChef, Sam Thayer, and Hank Shaw who will share their knowledge and passion for the outdoors. Visitors can enjoy interactive activities for all ages, delicious food and beverages, and festive photo opportunities with Santa and the Morel Man. Visit the Holiday Forest Fair Instagram Page or Facebook Event to see samples of the unique items vendors will be bringing and more information on demonstrations and events.

Holiday Bake Goods
2025-12-13 - 2026-01-05 | 2267 Priscilla St., St. Paul, MN, 55108
You can order by emailing bettylotterman@gmail.com or text 651-238-6859. We will arrange for a time you can pick up at 2267 Priscilla St., St. Paul, MN, 55108. Flour, eggs, shortening, and sugar are always organic. 50% of sales goes to Loaves and Fishes.
Pumpkin Pie: organic, nondairy or traditional $20
Apple Pie: vegan or traditional $20
Apple Crisp: $15
Honey Wheat Bread: 1 lb. loaf, organic, vegan $5
Sour Dough Bread: 1 lb. loaf, $5
Rosca de Reyes: $20

S'mores & Santa
2025-11-28 10:00 - 2025-11-30 16:00 | Sargent’s on 2nd, 1811 2nd St SW, Rochester, MN, 55902, United States
Sargent’s is providing complimentary S’mores and Hot Chocolate for you to enjoy around our bonfire! Bring a friend and enjoy some treats!
Meet and Greet with Santa
Rumor has it that Santa will be taking time out of his busy schedule to hang out with us! He’ll be reading stories and wandering the greenhouse, spreading holiday cheer.
Drop-In Spruce Top Workshops
Stop in and create your own spruce-top porch pot with your choice of decor and design elements. Sargent’s staff will be available to help guide you!
Local Food & Drinks
As always, our friends at Café Aquí will be serving up their usual assortment of delicious drinks and baked goods. We’ll also have local food from The Compadres food truck.
Live Music & Entertainment
There’s nothing like some festive music to get you in the holiday spirit. Each day features a local musician bringing their unique sound to the Sargent’s stage.

We Are the Harvest: A Sankofa Celebration
2025-11-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, 10360 West River Road, Brooklyn Park, MN, 55444, United States
We Are the Harvest: A Sankofa Celebration is a vibrant, multigenerational event that honors the rich legacy of Black farmers, entrepreneurs, and community builders — past, present, and future. Rooted in the spirit of Sankofa — a call to remember our roots while moving forward with intention — this gathering is a joyful tribute to Black resilience, excellence, and collective growth.
Join us for a full day of:
-A marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses and artisans
-Cultural demonstrations and legacy storytelling
-Youth and family activities, arts, and learning stations
-Community resource tables and empowerment tools
-Panel discussions on farming, business, and community futures
-Music, food, and a celebration of Black joy

Ferndale Market TurkeyFest
2025-11-21 09:00 - 2025-11-26 18:00 | Ferndale Market, 31659 Willow Trail, Cannon Falls, MN 55009, Cannon Falls, Minnesota, 55009, United States
Pick up your FRESH Thanksgiving turkey and other local foods (including smoked turkey, gravy, pie, and more) at our annual TurkeyFest!
The celebration will take place at our on-farm market in Cannon Falls, MN from November 21st to November 26th, 9am to 6pm each day. This year’s TurkeyFest will feature a food truck from 11am to 2pm each day, including The Brick Oven Bus, The Bleu Dog Café and GastroTruck. Guests will have the opportunity to sample foods each day (9am to 3pm) from our local vendors, like CannonBelles, Groveland Confections, Lowry Hills Provisions, and Milton Creamery.
Visit our website to reserve your fresh turkey and other Thanksgiving items. We look forward to seeing you on the farm!
