 Welcome to Livin' La Vida Local! My name is Casey DeRosier, and I am the resident blogger working with the Minnesota Grown Program. I am a recent college grad from the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities with a degree in Agriculture and Food Business Management. I am thoroughly enjoying my work with Minnesota Grown and our local farmers!
Truth be told, I have no background in agriculture whatsoever, which will make this blog very unique. My goal is to reach out to others like me who didn't grow up on a farm but who want to know, see and taste more. I am going to be visiting farms all over the state of Minnesota to let you in on some fun and interesting adventures! Of course, I look forward to visiting local berry farms and apple orchards, but I also look forward to exploring Minnesota places and products that will be new to me and probably to many of you. If you have any suggestions on places I should visit, feel free to drop me an email at casey.derosier@state.mn.us. Thanks!
December 10, 2010 - Minnesota Grown Poinsettias!
I took a trip to Bachman's in Farmington to learn more about poinsettias. Check out my blog video to learn more! Find a location near you to purchase your poinsettia this holiday season!
November 24, 2010 - Christmas Tree Season is Here!
It's time to visit a Christmas tree farm to pick up a real tree! I made a visit to Log Cabin Pines in Elko this week to check in on Christmas tree season. The trees are healthy, happy and ready for new homes! Find the perfect Christmas tree farm for your family this holiday season!
November 1, 2010 - Cultivated Wild Rice
I made a trip to a wild rice farm near Aitkin during harvest time this fall. It was a ton of fun! I learned the difference between hand harvested wild rice and cultivated wild rice (Minnesota is one of the only places that produces both kinds), and even got my first combine ride. Wild rice is healthy for you and it makes a great gift for the upcoming holidays! Visit MinnesotaGrown.com to find a wild rice producer near you or be sure to ask for Minnesota wild rice in your local grocery store.
October 13, 2010 - Fall Fun
The fall colors are amazing this time of year, which is why I made sure I took a trip to a local orchard this past week. Nelson's Apple Farm in New Market was bustling with kids and parents alike out enjoying the great fall weather. Nelson's had plenty of fun things to do—pick pumpkins and apples, stroll through the corn maze or visit the animals at the petting zoo. Many of our Minnesota Grown members offer fantastic fall destinations for the family. Check out my blog video with some fun photos and visit MinnesotaGrown.com to find a destination near you.
September 28, 2010 - Farm to School
Carrie Tollefson visits Wadena Deer Creek Elementary to promote farm to school. Check it out!
September 3, 2010 - Checking in on Apple Season
Apple season is a bit early this year! I recently made a trip to Minnetonka Orchards in Minnestrista to get an update on how the season is coming along.
August 20, 2010 - The Goods
A few weeks ago, Minnesota Grown filmed an episode of The Goods with WCCO's Roxane Battle and Minnesota Grown Spokesperson, Carrie Tollefson. I had a blast watching from behind the scenes! Check out my blog video from the filming. This episode will air on August 22 at 10:50 a.m. If you miss it live, you can visit www.wcco.com/thegoods to check it out!
August 12, 2010 - National Farmers' Market Week Follow-Up
August 5, 2010 - National Farmers' Market Week
This week is National Farmers' Market Week! Minnesota Grown is celebrating by visiting markets that have decided to participate in our "Eat Local Challenge". Minnesota Grown is looking for market patrons that have the "I Buy Local, MinnesotaGrown.com" bumper stickers or window clings on their cars! If we spot your car, you could win a box of produce and one of our new "I Buy Local, MinnestoaGrown.com" t-shirts. Keep your eyes peeled for the Minnesota Grown Prize Patrol at your local market.
Here are a few photos of my market visits so far, with much more to come! Stay tuned in because within a week or so I will have video of our kick-off event that took place at Minneapolis Farmers' Market on Monday, August 2.
July 29, 2010 - Simply Gelato
Gelato in Minnesota? Is it true? Yes it is! My blog took me to Simply Gelato in Oakdale for a lesson on how gelato is made. Simply Gelato is a mother-daughter team consisting of Rachel and Julie Frederickson. They must be doing something right because their business is taking off! Gelato is the Italian form of ice cream and Rachel and Julie make it even better by using all natural, local Minnesota Grown ingredients. Check out the video to learn more. Simply Gelato is currently selling at several local farmers' markets so visit their detailed page on MinnesotaGrown.com to see where you can taste and purchase this awesome treat!
Emily Engberg from Twin Cities Live also made a visit to Simply Gelato. Watch Simply Gelato as featured on the Twin Cities Live segment.
July 16, 2010 - Peterson Produce
I have driven by Peterson Produce off Highway 12 in Delano a few times and always thought to myself, "I need to stop in one of these times to say hello." Well, I finally stopped in to say hi and had a great visit with Al Sterner, the owner! He even showed me how to use a Dutch hoe that he uses to make weeding the garden a bit easier. They have tons of great produce and flowers available, and a great location for folks to stop in. Right now you will find sweet corn (a Minnesotan favorite!), peppers, onions, garlic, green beans, beats, and so much more! If you find yourself traveling down Highway 12, I recommend swinging in to say hello and to pick up some wonderful produce or some beautiful flowers.
July 8, 2010 - Have you been berry picking yet?
Blueberries are looking great in Minnesota! You will even find some ripe blueberries up north! And no I haven't forgotten raspberries! They are going strong in both central and northern Minnesota.
I checked out the raspberries at Natura Farms in Forest Lake recently. They had all different types of raspberries to pick and try. The Berry Patch in Forest Lake has wonderful blueberries available. The berries are ripe and easy to pick--it should take no time to fill half an ice cream bucket of them.
Good on ice cream and great for a snack—get out with the family and pick some Minnesota Grown berries this week! It's okay to go overboard, just make sure you have room in your freezer! The strawberry season has ended for most growers but the length of the season varies greatly from farm to farm so be sure to call ahead to verify picking conditions.
Find a berry patch near you at MinnesotaGrown.com.
Have a recipe for me to share in our Pick of the Month e-newlsetter? Send it to my email at casey.derosier@state.mn.us.
July 8, 2010 - Interview with Jerry Untiedt
Here is the interview with Jerry Untiedt that I promised you! You can find Jerry's products at the Minneapolis Farmers' Market and Annex, Sweetcorn and More Garden Center, Merryville Farm Markets, Untiedt's Garden Gazebos and Wright County's greenhouses and retail outlets. Enjoy the video!
Casey
June 30, 2010 - Untiedt's Vegetable Farm
I had a fabulous trip to Untiedt's Vegetable Farm in Montrose this week. I was told that Jerry (the owner) has an amazing farm and that he is an expert at growing fruits and vegetables in high tunnels. I have seen high tunnels on farms before, but Jerry's place went beyond just having two or three. He has too many to count and some of the best fruits and veggies I have ever seen! Below is a video of still photos taken out on the farm, but early next week you will see an interview with Jerry. Stay tuned!
June 16, 2010 - Got Berries?
For most of Minnesota, now is the time to get to the strawberry patch. Today I made a visit to The Berry Patch in Forest Lake. When I arrived, the farm was packed with families out picking beautiful strawberries. The strawberries looked like red jewels just waiting to be picked and eaten! Strawberries are a bit early this year, so make sure to get out this weekend for some family fun. There is nothing like the flavor of Minnesota Grown strawberries--but the season is short, so find your local strawberry patch at MinnestoaGrown.com today.
June 11, 2010 - Strawberry Fields Forever
Strawberry season has arrived early this year, and many farms have opened for picking. This blog video was taken at Rod's Berry Farm in North Branch and includes a ton of great information on strawberries, including what you need to know before heading out to the strawberry patch! To find a local strawberry patch near you, visit MinnesotaGrown.com.
June 7, 2010 - Checking In with a CSA Farm
I made a visit to Trumpeter Swan Farm near Buffalo to see how the CSA veggies were coming along. Enjoy the video!
Community supported agriculture, or CSA farms are becoming very popular. CSA's are a great way to get fresh, local produce directly from the farmer. Typically you purchase a "share" at an upfront cost in exchange for a weekly delivery. The weekly box will contain seasonal fresh veggies and sometimes other farm products like jams, meats, cheeses, and flowers. It's a great way to support the local economy and get the freshest produce around. Most CSA farms take new members in March - May, however I encourage you to check out some CSA farms' websites to get on a list for next year (you might even find a farm or two that can squeeze you in this year!). Visit MinnesotaGrown.com to find a CSA that works well you.
May 28, 2010 - A Trip to the Minneapolis Farmers' Market
Most farmers' markets are open and ready for business! You are going to find many early season vegetables like rhubarb, asparagus, and leafy greens, along with lots of fresh flowers and plants. I made a trip to the Minneapolis Farmers' Market this week to meet some of the local growers and check out their handiwork. Find your local farmers' market at MinnesotaGrown.com!
May 10, 2010 - Living Green Expo
The Living Green Expo was an excellent event held Saturday May 1st and 2nd. Attendees came to the expo to find ways to live sustainably, which includes buying local! To find more information and tips from the Living Green Expo, visit livinggreenexpo.mn. If you want to find the Minnesota Grown members featured in the photos, or to buy local Minnesota products, visit MinnesotaGrown.com.
May 6, 2010 - Savor Minnesota!
This blog visit took me to the first annual Savor Minnesota event at Canterbury Park. Savor Minnesota is an event highlighting Minnesota wines and local foods. The event had 38 vendors and seemed to be a great success! To find a Minnesota winery near you, visit MinnesotaGrown.com. Enjoy the video!
April 21, 2010 - "Got Milk? You bet I did!"
It's been a beautiful spring to get out and visit some great Minnesota farms! I had a wonderful visit recently to the Daninger family farm—Autumnwood Farm LLC.—in Forest Lake. I haven't been on many dairy farms, so this blog visit was one I was looking forward to. Not to mention, I LOVE MY DAIRY—cheese, milk, ice cream……you name it!
Autumnwood Farm has been around since 1902 but in recent years has started bottling their milk. The 2008-2009 Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Kristy Mussman, informed me that Autumnwood Farm had the best chocolate milk so it's been on my radar and I just had to get out there and try it!
Pat Daninger was kind enough to invite me to a weekly Autumnwood meeting and to take a tour of the farm. The meeting was great background about how Autumnwood got started and their next steps in the coming months to get their milk in more local stores. They are currently in 20+ stores and looking to expand.
After a meeting and some coffee, Pat took me out to the farm. When we arrived, he poured me a large glass of chocolate milk (even better than advertised!) and we were on our way! We went through the entire process from milking the cow, to pasteurizing the milk, to bottling the milk (the process is longer than I imagined). The pasteurizing and bottling is literally 250 feet away from where the cows are milked! Talk about freshness! All of the cows are grass fed and happy as can be out in the pasture. The milk is even better than Kristy had indicated! I don't think you find me buying anything but Minnesota Grown milk at the store. Visit MinnesotaGrown.com to find a dairy farm near you.
I couldn't leave without buying a few bottles of milk for myself! Thanks to Pat and Sharlene Daninger for having me out for a visit. It was a beautiful day and an amazing experience being out on a family dairy farm.
Stay tuned for an upcoming blog entry on Minnesota Grown gelato (Italian ice cream) using Autumnwood milk!
March 19, 2010 - Bailey Nurseries Visit
While most of us are just now getting excited for spring, the people at Bailey Nurseries in Cottage Gove, Minnesota have been gearing up since last October. It is by far their busiest time of year! While Len Busch Roses (my last blog entry) sells cut flowers to retail florists, Bailey sells plants and trees to retail garden centers that we will buy all of our yard and garden plants from. They have annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, and the oh so famous Endless Summer Hydrangea. Dave Gross, the production manager at Bailey Nursery was kind enough to take me on a tour of their planting facility. Check out my video:
Still wondering how they get those hydrangeas blue or pink?? Check out the Twin Cities Live Segment with Dave Gross from Bailey Nursery to find out.
February 23, 2010 - Minnesota Grown Roses!
I made a trip to Len Busch Roses in Plymouth, Minnesota this week. It was a great getaway with the cold weather we have been having lately! Len Bush Roses will grow and distributes nearly 10 million roses and fresh cut flowers each year to retail florists in a five state area. Jake Ziebarth of Len Busch Roses was kind enough to give me a tour of their 15 acres of beautiful greenhouses.
Make sure to ask your local florist for flowers that are grown in Minnesota! Read a press release from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on Minnesota Grown flowers.
February 9, 2010 - Farmers' Markets in February? In Minnesota?
Winter farmers' markets in Minnesota? That's right! I took one beautiful, yet cold, Saturday morning to visit a few winter farmers' markets in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I had no idea these hidden gems existed here in the middle of winter.
My first stop was the Minneapolis Farmers' Market off Interstate 94 and Lyndale Ave. Here a few vendors were selling meats, cheeses, and breads. It was a cold day, but vendors had plenty on hand for you to stock up for the month.
Next I hit the Mill City Farmers' Market at Local D' Lish and then ventured across town to the St. Paul Downtown Farmers' Market. I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of vendors at both markets, along with the wide variety of items for sale. Outdoor vendors were selling chicken, elk, trout, and pork. Inside at both markets, I found a ton of customers bustling about getting their monthly "farmers' market fix". There were local specialty items including salsas, pasta, candy, aebleskiver (which I taste tested for the first time-Yum!), baking mixes, breads, jams, jellies, cheeses, and canned veggies. Let me just say - I was in farmers' market heaven when I walked in the door! Some farmers had fresh veggies and apples that they'd been storing for the winter, along with plenty of fresh eggs from locally raised chickens.
I spent all morning shopping and sipping a cup of coffee. I went to these markets with the notion that I only needed some eggs and a few "treats", but I walked away with salsa, pasta, pancake mix, cheese, elk jerky, biscotti (for my coffee of course!), apples…the list goes on. I stocked up for the month. I hope to see you all at an upcoming winter farmers' market soon – it's a great way to buy local and feel like we're getting a little bit closer to spring! To find a winter farmers' market near you, check out the January 2010 issue of Minnesota Grown's consumer newsletter, Pick of the Month.
January 18, 2010 - Counting Sheep (And Alpacas!)
This week I had a very unique and fun experience at Grazeland Sheep Farm in Lindstrom and spent an entire morning with the owner, Sherry Stirling. I first met Sherry at the Minnesota State Fair where she was selling wool products. You may remember the photo taken of Sherry while I was visiting Minnesota Grown members at the fair. I also got a picture with Sherry's warm wool socks.
We started our morning off with a nice cup of coffee at a local coffee shop. I would need the coffee to keep me going since Sherry had plans for me to help out with morning chores! And guess what - the chores ended up being a lot of fun! I helped feed the sheep and the horses, and I even lifted a few hay bales - a good excuse for me to skip this gym this week.
After our morning chores and visiting with the animals, Sherry and I chatted in the toasty warm house. Then she showed me where she lays out all of the wool on a table to clean it. It was very soft and thick. There was enough wool on the table from one sheep to make three large wool blankets! We also looked at some beautiful sheep pelts that were oh so soft and cozy wool socks. The she told me about Woolch. I had never heard of or seen Woolch before! Woolch is a blend of wool fibers and wood shavings. It is used as a weed control and moisture retaining mulch. It is 100% recycled and is both herbicide and pesticide-free. I took a small sample home to try in my garden this spring.
My trip doesn't end there! Sherry was kind enough to drive me over to Sunrise River Alpacas. We were greeted by Peggy Pearson, the owner, who took us through the barn to meet her alpacas. They all had names and were very beautiful and soft. Peggy was in the process of feeding all of the alpacas when we arrived. They all had so much personality and were very playful!
If I had the space and time to have sheep and alpacas I would! They were such great animals, and the wool and fibers were so soft. I wish I knew how to knit so I could use the beautiful fibers from these animals.
While visiting these farms I couldn't help but think that these animals must be freezing here in Minnesota! But after seeing how thick and warm their coats are I realized they are probably doing just fine. If you would like to find a place to purchase Minnesota Grown wool or alpaca fibers, search the Minnesota Grown Directory.
I would like to thank Sherry for spending the morning with me! I look forward to visiting Grazeland Sheep Farm in April during lambing season to see all the cute baby sheep.
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