Living Local Winter, from Minnesota Grown

LIVING LOCAL Winter FREE

LIVING LOCAL

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Subscribe to our monthly email MONTH newsletter of the

@minnesotagrownmda @minnesotagrown Advertise with Minnesota Grown mngrown.mda@state.mn.us Publication Date: November 2023

Minnesota Grown Program 625 Robert Street North Saint Paul, MN 55155-2538 www.minnesotagrown.com

Cover Photography by Hansen Tree Farm @hansentreefarm

This publication is supported by program members, advertisers, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Listing or advertising in this guide does not constitute endorsement by the MDA, nor is the MDA responsible for any claims made within this publication.

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Photo credit: Pettit Pastures Grass Fed Beef

CONTENTS

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The Ultimate Live Local Winter Bucket List

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Frog Tree Farm: Where Winter Décor and Social Justice Meet

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Charcuterie Done Locally

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GIFTING Minnesota Style

The Coldest Farmers’ Market in North America

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Where to Shop for Minnesota-Made Gifts from Explore Minnesota

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16 Minnesota Grapes Make Exceptional Wines SW MN Livestock Farm Gives Back to the Community and the Land

Rach-Al-Paca Turns Out Fine Fiber Products

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Pick Your Perfect Holiday Tree

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A History of Bison & Herb-Rubbed Bison Roast

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Roasted Delicata Squash 4 Reasons to Add More Minnesota Fiber to Your Wardrobe

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Mulled Wine

Guide to Buying Meat in Bulk

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The Ultimate ‘Live Local’

WINTER BUCKET LIST Winter in Minnesota is the time for celebration, coziness, and comfort foods. Check off this month-by-month list to make the most of winter in Minnesota.

December

January

February

Deck the halls with local! Make a new memory or continue a timehonored tradition with a real holiday tree. The season will glitter and glow even brighter with local gifts.

Presents for kids from one to ninetytwo can be found in the Minnesota Grown online gift guide.

The new year brings opportunities to try new things. Get outside for an event at a local vineyard or cidery, or stay in for a weekend with a slow-cooked meal to warm the heart and house.

Warm your fingers, toes, and everything in between with local fiber, whether you knit it yourself or order finished products from a local farmer. Then beat the winter doldrums by selecting a CSA (community supported agriculture) share for next spring.

Your future self, and your farmer, will thank you!

Found the perfect real Minnesota Christmas tree.

Used local butter, eggs, flours, and jams in my holiday baking.

Visited a winter farmers’ market in my area.

Shopped for unique, locally made gifts for my loved ones.

Show us your success!

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Post your photos celebratin g winter in Minnesota to Fac ebook or Instagram using #MNGrow n to share how you’ve marked the sea son.

Rang in the new year by toasting with wine or spirits made from Minnesota ingredients.

Made a new year’s resolution to support more local farms in the year to come.

Explored a new winter recipe using a Minnesota protein that I hadn’t tried before, like bison or elk.

Found a microgreens producer near me to add freshness and nutrients to a winter dish.

Signed up for a CSA that will bring me fresh foods during the upcoming harvest.

Kept everyone’s toes toasty with socks or boot liners made from Minnesota Grown wool – knit your own or buy pre-made!

Soothed dry skin with lotions and balms made with local goat milk or beeswax.

All Winter Living with the seasons means embracing even the coldest months. Winter gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect, take time to visit with friends, and think more deeply about what we value. Don’t forget, everything is easier with a warm beverage nearby.

Warmed my hands around a mug of mulled wine or hot apple cider.

Cooked up a wholesome soup or hearty hotdish using local ingredients.

Shared my favorite winter bucket list experience on social media with the tag #MNGrown.

Passed along a Living Local tip to a family member or friend.

Notes for next year:

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GIFTING

M in n e so ta S ty le

Spread the love of local when shopping for gifts during the holidays and all year round! With Minnesota Grown, you’ll find memorable and unique gifts that support your values, and you’ll feel extra cheerful knowing your generosity is supporting a local farmer or producer right in your community.

For the foodie

Show your beloved cook you appreciate their skills with highquality Minnesota ingredients.

Think creamy local cheese, choice cuts of Minnesota meat, nutty wild rice, hot sauce, or even locally milled grains.

Indulgent personal care products

‘Tis the season for pampering, and couldn’t we all use a little extra care? Lotions, soaps, lip balms, and candles made with Minnesota ingredients like beeswax and goat milk will add soothing relaxation to the winter routine.

Give a full season of local flavor

The gift of a CSA subscription (short for community supported agriculture) will bring freshness to your loved one for weeks or months to come. While vegetable CSAs are most common, there are also fruit, flower, meat, and cheese CSAs available from farms all around the state.

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Photo credit: Enda Dudinsky

Bourbon to bubbly Brighten up the season with the wide variety of wines, hard ciders, and spirits made right here in Minnesota from locally grown ingredients.

Warm and cozy fiber

It’s cold outside, but Minnesota wool and fiber products will keep the coldest fingers and toes toasty.

Find local yarn or roving for the DIY crafter, or stuff those holiday stockings with – socks!? – mittens, boot liners, dryer balls, and other cozy products made from natural Minnesota fibers.

Shop winter markets

Winter farmers’ markets are the perfect place to shake off your cabin fever, grab a hot beverage, and browse a plethora of gift options made and grown with love by local producers.

Browse dozens of local gift ideas in the Minnesota Grown Gift Guide at minnesotagrown.com/ gift-guide

EXPERIENCE All winter long, Minnesotans bundle up and head out into THE COLDEST the winter weather to hunt, ice fish… and shop at the FARMERS’ MARKET ski, Saint Paul Farmers’ Market! promoted as “The IN NORTH AMERICA Proudly Coldest Farmers’ Market in

North America,” this outdoor market and its shoppers are emblematic of Minnesotan grit and pride.

The market is open every Saturday of the year (except for Christmas) — rain, snow, or shine — to continue its long tradition of providing a gathering space for the community to buy fresh foods, support local farmers and businesses, and connect with one another.

The Saint Paul Farmers’ Market, which The market is about getting out and first opened in 1854, offers a wide socializing and laughing with your variety of local foods and products in neighbors, getting fresh and healthy the winter months: beef and bison, food, and supporting your local root vegetables, duck eggs, sheep economy... all things to keep our milk, wool socks, honey, and chocolate. community healthy in mind and body But winter market shoppers are in for during winter. more than just good food buys. After Benjamin Bicknese, Marketing Manager shopping, gather around campfires to St. Paul Farmers’ Market roast your market brats and hot dogs, partake in snow yoga, or enjoy a cup of hot coffee while you catch up with friends near one of the outdoor heaters.

Whether indoor or outdoor, winter markets are an opportunity to stock up on local pantry staples, find unique holiday gifts, and cure your cabin fever — all while supporting Minnesota farmers and makers. Minnesota’s growing season is short, but local food is always in season.

There are winter markets all around the state!

Find one near you, or one you’d like to visit, using the Minnesota Grown Directory at minnesotagrown.com/winter-markets Photo credit: St. Paul Farmers’ Market

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PICK YOUR

Perfect

HOLIDAY TREE

Many factors can go into picking the holiday tree for your home. Do you want soft touchable needles or a tree with a fragrance that transports you to the Northwoods? This year, head to the tree farm or lot knowing what kind of real Minnesota Grown tree is ideal for you. = needle retention

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= fragrance

= price

Balsam Fir

Fraser Fir

Canaan Fir

For those who can’t get enough of that magical woodsy scent, the balsam fir is for you!

One of the most desired trees with dark green color and needles that are pleasant to touch.

Enjoy this tree’s rich color and layered structure that’s excellent for displaying ornaments.

Korean Fir

Siberian Fir

Scotch Pine

An up-and-coming favorite with a zesty citrus scent.

Popular tree with a tangy fresh scent and soft touchable needles.

Beloved by traditionalists and a good choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

White Pine

Norway Pine

With its gentle soft needles, you might be tempted to give this tree a (very careful) hug.

The Minnesota state tree, also known as a red pine.

Find a Christmas tree farm or lot near you at minnesotagrown.com/ christmastrees

FROG TREE FARM

Where Winter Décor and Social Justice Meet

Minnesota Grown member Frog Tree Farm is a multigenerational Black-owned farm focused on antiracism, social justice, and sustainability in Wadena County, Minnesota. There, Peace Mitchell and Michael Birchard continue Peace’s parents’ dream of living off of the land by creating beautiful holiday wreaths, yule logs, birch bundles, charcuterie boards, wood ornaments, and other seasonal décor.

Peace’s parents, Hank and Maren, bought the farm in 1971 and raised vegetables and livestock for several years, and even sold mushrooms raised on the farm to the local grocer. They also planted the Norway pines that tower over and guard the property. When the family moved away from the farm for Maren’s employment in 1985, the farm became a family refuge and place for reflection and nostalgia.

Photo credit: Peace Mitchell, Frog Tree Farm

Ever since then, Peace has had the dream of returning and working the farm. It has also been their dream to turn Frog Tree Farm into a place of respite and renewal for others. “We know how healing the farm can be and want to bring that to folks that may not have access to such a place,” said Peace. Since coming back to the farm in 2021, they have hosted school groups, retreats, family getaways, and book launches focused on social justice, sustainability, and LGBTQ+ issues. Peace and Michael’s future plans involve broadening their agritourism offerings in order to expand access to restorative farm Find Frog Tree Farm and other experiences for others. producers of locally grown Frog Tree Farm is selling evergreen wreaths, spruce tops, and wreaths and other goods from the winter décor at land to raise money for building the minnesotagrown.com/giftsnecessary accommodations for the decorations-personal-care farm. You can support this vision and brighten your dark winter season with Frog Tree Farms’ beautiful wreaths and décor by placing an order on their website. Is there a better holiday win-win? We think not.

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Advertisement

WHERE TO SHOP FOR

MINNESOTA-MADE GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

From buttery leather moccasins to rugged adventure gear, Minnesota offers a wide range of locally made goods that’ll appeal to anyone on your gift list. Here are some beloved shops worth seeking out this holiday season.

CLOTHING & OUTDOOR GEAR

Bemidji Woolen Mills have stitched lumberjack-worthy coats, shirts, pants and hats in bold buffalo plaid since 1920. Shoppers can also find warm blankets and mittens at their downtown Bemidji store.

Duluth Pack has crafted beautiful canvas bags in Minnesota since 1882, making it the country’s oldest manufacturer of its kind.

Machines also hum through the upper floors of Frost River’s Duluth store, where it crafts waxed canvas and leather goods like growler bags, fat bike packs, and duffels.

On the cusp of the iconic Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Ely shoppers can find ribbon-trimmed anoraks and coats developed by dog sledders at Wintergreen Northern Wear and traditional moose hide boots at Steger Mukluks. The soft and supple shoes of Itasca Moccasin are also worth a look at its factory outlet a few miles east of Itasca State Park.

The leather gleams at the headquarters of Red Wing Shoes, a worldrenowned heritage wear company that has stitched hardy boots for trendsetters and tradesmen since 1905. Red Wing Pottery fans and collectors also head to this riverside city to find crocks and other heirloom-quality stoneware at Pottery Place.

Each pair of Scandinavian mittens from Steller Handcrafted Goods is made in Minneapolis using upcycled sweaters, polar fleece, and leather palms. They pair well with hand-knit alpaca fiber products from small farms in Bricelyn (Frosty Acres), Northfield (Fossum Family Farm), Glencoe (Plumeria Alpaca Ranch) and more.

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HOME GOODS & KITCHENWARE

Famous for its Bundt pans, Nordic Ware’s St. Louis Park store has catered to bakers for 70 years with hundreds of holiday-oriented molds and innovative kitchen wares. The looms at Faribault Mill have been weaving classic wool blankets since 1868, along with stadium-ready Pak-a-Robes, shawls, and buffalo plaid placemats.

FOR THE KIDS

Kellogg’s LARK Toys offers its own line of imaginative wooden toys, along with an expansive selection of games and the state’s most whimsical carousel. Plush, fashionable and whimsical, the Edina-based Oh Baby makes everything from crowns and wands to party dresses and masks for superheroes in training.

FOOD

The gift shop at Austin’s SPAM® Museum lets super fans stock up on several rare flavors of its signature canned ham, as well as everything from hockey jerseys to hoodies. Add flavor twists to food and drinks with spice and salt mixes, infused vinegars and sugars from Golden Fig in St. Paul. For sweet stocking stuffers, look out for Salted Nut Rolls and Peppermint Patties from Pearson Candy Co. and handcrafted truffles and caramels from BT McElrath Chocolatier.

More regional treats include crunchy caramel corn from Candyland in St. Paul and Stillwater; “chippers” (chocolate-covered potato chips) from Widman’s in Crookston; chocolate-covered sponge candy and buttery brittle at Virginia’s Canelake’s Candies; pistachio bark and coconut brittle at Knife River’s Great Lakes Candy Kitchen; and fudge and nut rolls at Tremblay’s in Stillwater.

Advertisement Tremblay’s Sweet Shop Stillwater, photo by Alma Guzman

LARK Toys, Kellogg

Steger Mukluks, Ely

ADD TO CART

Find more shopping ideas on ExploreMinnesota.com

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BISON

From the Brink of Extinction to Culinary Eminence

The American bison, designated the national mammal of the United States in 2016, has a complex and tumultuous history. Numbering an estimated 30-60 million when Europeans first set foot on this continent, bison were brought to the brink of extinction by overhunting and wanton slaughter by settlers and government strategies to subjugate Native peoples who depended on the animal. By the 1890s, only 1,000 bison remained. Remarkably, nearly all bison in the world today can be traced back to herds built up by five ranchers at the turn of the 20th century.

Restoration of bison over the past 125 years has been an interwoven effort by tribes, ranchers, and conservationists.

Presently, North America is home to around 500,000 bison, with approximately 420,000 on private ranches and the rest returning to tribal lands or in conservation herds like those at Minnesota’s Minneopa and Blue Mounds State Parks.

Minnesota ranchers raise bison out of reverence for this majestic animal. Bulls can weigh in excess of 2,000 pounds, stand 6 feet tall, and possess incredible agility. They can

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leap six feet high from a standstill and run up to 35 miles per hour. Being native to Minnesota, they are also well-suited to the weather and ecology, content without shelter through blizzards and cold snaps.

Today, consumer demand for bison is surging, helping fuel and fund continued restoration of the population. Often regarded as a gourmet food item, this lean, nutritious meat is celebrated by chefs and is the only red meat deemed “heart healthy” by the American Heart Association. Consumers often choose bison for its low fat content, sweet flavor, and potential as a driver of ecological and species restoration.

While bison has a similar flavor profile to beef, its lean nature requires special treatment in the kitchen. With less marbling, bison cooks faster than beef and is best enjoyed at mediumrare or medium doneness for a tender, juicy result. Use an internal meat thermometer to avoid overcooking, with a maximum temperature of 155°F (medium) or aim for 135145°F for rare to medium-rare doneness.

HERB-RUBBED BISON ROAST Ingredients

Directions

1 tablespoon salt

1. Combine spices and oil in a small bowl. Rub mixture on all sides of the roast. Wrap in plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate up to 24 hours. If refrigerating, remove and bring to room temperature for 30-45 minutes before cooking.

1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon dried oregano, crushed ½ teaspoon dried thyme, crushed ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon onion powder 2 tablespoons of cooking oil with a high smoke point, like avocado, vegetable, or canola 1 Minnesota-raised bison roast, 3-4 pounds ½ cup water

2. While roast is resting, preheat oven to 375°F. 3. Unwrap roast, place in roasting pan, and roast for 15 minutes.

4. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Add water to the roasting pan and continue

cooking until internal temperature reaches 140°F, approximately 60 minutes, for medium rare. (For rare, remove at 130°F.* For medium, remove at 145°F.) To avoid a dry result, do not exceed a maximum internal temperature of 150°F. 5. Remove from oven, cover lightly with foil, and let stand for 15 minutes.

6. Thinly slice meat across the grain to serve. Serve alongside the roasted delicata squash recipe on the next page, if desired. *Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

Find Minnesota Grown bison for your holiday tables and winter comfort meals at minnesotagrown.com/bison

Photo credit: Sleepy Bison Acres

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Roasted Delicata SQUASH

Delicata squash is unique in that the skin is deliciously edible and soft when cooked, eliminating the need to peel. It also has a lovely natural sweetness that you can play up or down, depending on the seasonings you choose. For this recipe, we add some simple savory spices and a touch of local maple syrup for a perfectly balanced side dish that pairs well with any winter meal.

Ingredients

Directions

3 medium delicata squash (3 to 3 ½ pounds total)

1. Preheat your oven to 425° F and place two sheet pans in the oven. Heating the pans before adding the squash creates a caramelized outer crust.

3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper ¾ teaspoon garlic powder 2 tablespoons local maple syrup

2. Trim the ends off the squash, cut in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds.

Place the squash cut side down and slice into ½-inch-thick half-moons.

3. Transfer slices to a large bowl. Add oil, maple syrup, and spices and toss to evenly coat.

1-2 tablespoons melted butter

Find a squash producer near you at minnesotagrown.com/ winter-squash Find Minnesota maple syrup at minnesotagrown.com/ maplesyrup

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4. Carefully remove the hot pans from the oven and arrange the squash in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure nice caramelization.

5. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the pans from the oven and brush the squash slices with melted butter.

6. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until slices are browned on the bottom and tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife.

7. Serve alone as a beautiful, simple side or mix with other winter stars like kale, cooked quinoa or rice, roasted Brussels sprouts, pecans, or cranberries.

CHARCUTERIE

Done Locally

Photo credit: Matt Addington Photography for CannonBelles Cheese

As the season of entertaining ramps up, what better way to feature locally grown and raised foods than with a charcuterie board? This adaptable appetizer is perfect to kick off a party of any size. Here are a few tips to put together an attractive and delicious meat and cheese board for your next gathering.

Use odd numbers … and begin with cheese

Start with Minnesota cheeses as a base for your board, using one, three, or even five cheeses for a crowd. Choose a variety of ages and textures and consider adding in a sheep or goat milk cheese.

Even it out with local meats

Add an even number of meat selections. Slice cured sausage thinly and put bite-sized Minnesota meat sticks in a small bowl to keep them in place. Think outside the norm with turkey, elk, or bison!

Find Minnesota cheese producers at minnesotagrown.com/dairy-products

Use small bowls for condiments and add something fresh

Local honey, jams, preserves, pickles, and fruit add sweetness and bite to compliment the richness of meat and cheese.

Finish it off with breads and sweets

Crackers and breads are classic, but experiment with pretzels too! Complete your board on a sweet note by adding candied nuts, dried fruit, or even chocolate.

Find locally raised specialty meats at minnesotagrown.com/specialty-meats 15

Minnesota Grapes

MAKE EXCEPTIONAL WINES Minnesota’s cold climate is no barrier to making fine wine. In fact, the University of Minnesota has been developing high-quality, cold-hardy grape varieties since the 1970s. This research has allowed Minnesota winemakers to develop a robust industry that is continually refining, innovating, and delivering flavor and quality to consumers.

Minnesota’s wine industry has developed a great deal in the last 50 years. This is due to the establishment of new varieties, the development of new techniques and equipment available to winemakers, and the growth and establishment of vineyards.

There are now eight Minnesota wine grape varieties: Clarion, Edelweiss, Frontenac or Frontenac noir, Frontenac blanc, Frontenac gris, Itasca, La Crescent, and Marquette. These locally adapted varieties are used to produce white, red, rosé, and port wines, with something for every palette from dry and tannic to sweet and smooth. Minnesota has dozens of wineries all around the state — including those producing ice wine, where grapes freeze naturally on the vine and are harvested in December, resulting in gourmet dessert wines with a surprising complexity of flavors and aromas.

Experts are taking notice. Minnesota wines have been featured prominently in recent International Cold Climate Wine Competitions. Hundreds of wines from 10 U.S. states and Canadian provinces compete for recognition in these annual competitions. Recent North Star State winners have included three Best of Show and 10 Best in Class wins awarded to Minnesota wineries.

Given this momentum, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with Minnesota wines or try a new variety from a local vineyard. In addition to wine tasting, many wineries and vineyards offer tours, classes, live music, local arts and crafts, and event space rentals.

Photo Credit: Alexis Bailey Winery

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Visit wineries, find local wines, and explore Minnesota’s Wine Trails at minnesotagrown.com/ wineries

FRONTENAC ROSÉ MULLED WINE BY 7 VINES VINEYARD 7 Vines Vineyard’s Frontenac Rosé has won several awards in international wine competitions, including a 97-point score at the International Women’s Wine Competition in Sonoma, California. This medium-bodied, semi-sweet rosé pairs beautifully with brown sugar, citrus, and warm spices to create a mulled wine that will bring warmth and coziness to your winter festivities.

Ingredients 1 bottle Frontenac Rosé Wine ⅔ cup water ½ cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries 2 whole star anise pods 2 whole cardamom pods ½ teaspoon whole cloves ½ teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg ½ orange, thinly sliced

Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in large saucepan and bring just to a boil over medium heat. Immediately reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 30 minutes.

2. Serve warm. Pour into mugs, make a toast, and enjoy!

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FOUR REASONS TO ADD MORE MINNESOTA FIBER TO YOUR WARDROBE Minnesota is home to the 12th largest population of sheep in the country, with 80% of sheep farms selling wool from their flocks. Farmers across the state also produce other luxurious animal fibers like mohair, angora, alpaca, llama, and even yak. Whether you’re a crafting enthusiast looking to make your next scarf extra special or just trying to stay warm through Minnesota winters, here are four reasons to add more Minnesota fiber to your wardrobe.

Sustainability. Shearing these animals for their wool doesn’t harm them;

it’s like giving them a haircut. This process keeps them cool in summer, prevents diseases, and allows the fleece to regrow, making it a renewable resource. Animal fiber is also biodegradable. You can compost worn-out woolens, turning them into soil-enriching nutrients in as little as six months.

Comfort – in all seasons! The variety of fibers produced in Minnesota offer

a range of weights and softness adaptable to every season. Animal fibers are both insulating and cozy — some even when wet — and are also breathable and moisture-wicking, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This dual-action nature also makes them ideal performance fabrics for beloved winter sports, from skiing and snowshoeing to snowmobiling and ice fishing.

Durability. Wool, alpaca, and other animal fibers are stronger and more flexible than most synthetic fibers. The fibers can bend tens of thousands of times before breaking, making them resistant to tears and abrasions and getting you more wears out of each sweater or pair of socks.

Support for Minnesota farmers.

Photo credit: Sam Rasmussen, Pine Hollow Farm LLC

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By choosing Minnesota-grown and -raised fiber, you’re supporting local farmers — a purchase that brings everyone a little more winter warmth and cheer.

Find animal fiber producers around the state in our directory at minnesotagrown.com/ textiles-animal-products

Hastings Alpaca Farm and Mill Turns Out Fine Fiber Products

Nestled along the Vermillion River near Hastings, you’ll find not just a working farm, but a custom fiber mill and farm store. It’s the peaceful site of Vermillion River Alpacas and Rach-Al-Paca Fiber Processing. Rachel Boucher fell in love with raising alpacas, but when she learned that there can be a year-long backlog to get their fleece processed, she decided to jump into the fiber business with both feet and started her own mill on her working alpaca farm.

Today, Rach-Al-Paca processes specialty fiber — mostly alpaca, but also wool, mohair, and blends of fine fibers — from all over the country into yarn, roving, and other natural fiber products. Rachel owns and manages the farm and mill while her partner Sue Leatherman works in the mill and manages the alpaca herd.

Alpaca fibers are hollow, making them especially insulating and warm. Alpaca fleece also boasts exceptional softness, breathability, and durability, making it the perfect material to keep you cozy through Minnesota winters.

Raising happy and healthy animals is the goal of the alpaca side of the business, including Huacaya and Suri alpacas known for their distinctive fleece. The farm provides visitors a place to spend time and experience agriculture firsthand through arranged tours, and the on-farm yarn shop offers raw fiber, roving, clothing, and accessories.

Looking for a unique gift? The farm also offers the opportunity to adopt an alpaca for a year! In return, you get a hat made with your alpaca’s fiber, an adoption certificate, a birthday card from your alpaca, and unlimited scheduled visits.

Southwest Minnesota Livestock Farm

Gives Back to the Community and the Land “We’re just always looking for ways to be good people,” says Chris Schmidt of Heartland Heritage Farms in Garvin, Minnesota. You can feel that spirit in talking to Chris, and it comes through in how he and his family work their land and in their service to others.

The farm is a multi-generational operation co-founded by Chris, his father Dale, and son Brad. “Mom and Dad raise the cattle and handle the beef side of things,” shares Chris. “I raise the pork, lamb, chickens, and turkeys, while Brad handles the online store and marketing.”

Heartland Heritage Farm sells a wide array of meats in their online store, including andouille sausage, pineapple brats, pork belly, chicken breasts, ground beef, and more, shipping across the upper Midwest. Chris also gets to know his customers by participating in farmers’ markets.

They’ve embraced regenerative agriculture, shifting away from tilling, and introduced livestock to mimic the natural balance created by animals that roamed the Great Plains centuries ago. Chris, a founder of the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, proudly shares how working with nature has cut down their use of commercial inputs.

In memory of a late friend who shared their passion for regenerative agriculture, the farm launched Jamie’s Helping Hands, offering $500 of store credit to families in need. Chris’ daughters Jordan and Taylor run the program, embodying their tradition of giving back.

Their efforts reflect a deep commitment to being good stewards of the land and fostering positive change.

Through sustainable practices and community service, Heartland Heritage Farms exemplifies the power of farming with purpose.

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Photo credit: Heartland Heritage Farms

BULK MEAT BUYING 101: Fill Your Freezer with Local Flavor!

If you’re a meat enthusiast on a mission to save and savor, buying meat in bulk is your ticket to success. While some livestock producers sell individual cuts, many also sell whole animals or portions like halves and quarters. Buying in bulk is more economical and having a variety of cuts in your freezer for an array of hearty winter meals is a great convenience.

When you buy meat in this way, you pay the farmer for your portion of the animal before processing and pay the processing fees to the butcher. Your butcher will let you know how many cuts of each type to expect based on the animal and your portion. There are only so many steaks, chops, and roasts to go around, so make sure you ask questions and are clear on what you’re getting. Find some rough estimates below to get you started.

How it works

Quarter Beef • Live weight (whole animal): 1,300 pounds • Pounds of meat from a quarter: around 140 • Cuts: ribeye, T-bone, sirloin, and round steaks, roasts, and ground beef • Freezer space: 4.5-5.5 ft3

Half of a Hog • Live weight (whole animal): 250-270 pounds

• Pounds of meat from a half: 60-70 • Cuts: chops, roasts, ribs, bacon, ham, and more • Freezer space: 2.25 ft3

Whole Lamb • Live weight: 140 pounds • Pounds of meat from a whole: around 47 • Cuts: lamb chops, shanks, and ground lamb • Freezer space: 2.25 ft3

Whole Goat • Live weight: 80 pounds • Pounds of meat from a whole: around 35 • Cuts: shoulder, leg, rack, neck, and loin cuts • Freezer space: 2 ft3

Whole Chickens • Live weight: 6 pounds per chicken • Pounds of meat from a whole: 4.5-5 • Freezer space: 1 ft3 per bird

When crunching the numbers, don’t forget to split the cost of the animal among buyers and factor in processing fees.

Find a poultry or livestock farmer near you in the Minnesota Grown directory and stock your freezer with local cuts this winter. Your budget and taste buds will thank you!

Adapted from “Buying Animals for Meat Processing” from the University of Minnesota Extension, at extension.umn.edu/save-money-

food/buying-animals-meat-processing

Find meat and poultry producers throughout the state at minnesotagrown.com/meat-poultry 21

THE MINNESOTA GROWN

Experience

What is Minnesota Grown all about? We connect excited customers (you!) to Minnesota farmers, farmers’ markets, and other food producers selling local.

For us, it’s all about sharing the diversity, quality, and availability of foods and other agricultural products grown and raised by the 1,300+ members who are proud to be Minnesota Grown across the state.

When you spot the Minnesota Grown logo, that food or item was at least 80% grown or raised in Minnesota!

Living Local will re-ignite your love of local foods through seasonal, mouthwatering recipes and the latest info on what is in-season, continuing with this winterthemed issue.

Our online directory at minnesotagrown.com will help you find farms and markets near you to get your hands on quality Minnesota Grown products and support local producers.

Share your love for local by using #MNGrown on Facebook or Instagram.

Find your farmer