Below you will find resources and handouts that will help you find, buy, gather and grow local food for your friends and family.
The Past, Present, and Future of Agriculture in North-Eastern Minnesota
An overview of the rich history of local agriculture, how we lost local production over the years, and what possibilities the future holds for building a local food system that provides the nutritional needs of our local population.
Finland Agricultural History – D. Anderson’s Tree Farm
A profile of one of the largest farms to exist on Minnesota’s North Shore from an interview with the man raised on the farm: Allen Anderson
Finland Area Gathering Cycle of the Year
An overview of the wild foods available in the Finland, MN area arranged by harvest time.
Where to buy Local Foods
A guide to help you find food that is grown, raised and processed in and around the Finland, Minnesota region.
Farming:
Small Grain Processing in NE Minnesota
Nestled along the North Shore of Lake Superior, the northeastern corner of Minnesota has long been viewed as a region of economic boom and bust with a history of mining and logging in the bedrock-laden topography. The boreal forested landscape has seen the introduction and passing of industry and other natural resource-based enterprises; in the contemporary north shore how can one make a living? With special intrinsic value in the beauty of the shores and wilderness lakes, it is pertinent to pursue a culture of resilient and diversified livelihoods that can be provided through sustainable agriculture.
Give Peas a Chance: Garden Planning
Learn tips on where to start when planning a new vegetable garden and how you can connect to the Finland Community Garden (Give Peas a Chance) in this Garden Planning webinar led by Sandy Maxwell of Maxwell’s Woodland Nursery, Stefan Meyer of Finland’s Agro-Ecology Center, and Carol Langer of the Finland Community Garden project.
AgroPhenology: Nature-Based Planting Calendar
A presentation on research conducted through the MDA Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Program – Peter Harris, Wolf Ridge Scientist and David Abazs, Farmer, Finland MN Creating a nature-based planting calendar using phenological indicators and crop records.
Land Development & Homesteading Techniques
Since 2016, the North Shore AgroEcology Center has been developing a future regenerative agriculture school and demonstration site. Join Stefan as he walks you through the site development work incorporating soil works & regeneration, cover cropping, perennial agriculture, deep winter greenhouses, mushrooms, bees, and more!
Raising Chickens in the Northland
Raising chickens can be a great way to produce food for your family, and they can provide a lot of entertainment too. But it can sometimes be hard to know where to start and what you need to know. So we have organized this panel discussion of local chicken producers who can share their experience and answer your questions about raising chickens in our region.
Root Cellaring in Northern MN
A brief introduction to small & large, above or below grade root cellar designs will be followed by a panel discussion with 4-5 growers sharing their expertise and experience in designing, building, and using homesteading, farm-scale to community-scale root cellars.
Cooking:
Preparing Pasties with Dan Cahill Mathews
Preparing Pasties – A Northwoods Hot Pocket for Getting Things Done. How to prepare pasties to stock your freezer with easy, on-the-go meals with a special emphasis on sourcing ingredients from local producers!
Making Kimchi/Fish Sauerkraut with Kevin Bond
Try your hand at making this staple in Korean cuisine. It’s a traditional side dish of salted and fermented vegetables, such as Napa cabbage and Korean radish, made with a widely varying selection of seasonings including spring onions, garlic, and ginger. It is also used in a variety of soups.
Nixtamalization – Making Hominy From Flint Corn
What is “nixtamalization”? How do you do it? What do you make with it when you’re done?
Join the Finland Food Chain for an informative webinar on the nixtamalization of flint corn.
Orchard:
Integrated Pest Management with Cindy Hale
Geared towards backyard and beginning growers of all skill levels, whether you have 1 backyard tree or a small orchard. This class includes overview of issues related to growing healthy fruit trees and controlling pests and diseases throughout the season with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic management of fruit trees. Classes will include topics including the “annual cycle of orchards”, meeting the culprits (recognizing specific diseases and pests), methods for monitoring and dealing with potential pests or diseases. Get the PowerPoint HERE. Get the MN IPM Manual HERE.
Virtual Grafting Tutorial with Deb Shubat
Learn the basics of grafting from an expert!
Pruning Apple Trees in NE Minnesota
Appropriate for participants of all skill levels, this ZOOMinar will cover the tools and techniques used for training young apple trees for the development of structure in mature trees, maintenance pruning for optimum health & production.
Minnesota Food Laws:
What’s the deal with “Product of Farm” rules in MN?
As a grower, you have more freedoms than you might think to sell what you grow to both retail customers and wholesale customers such as restaurants, school and other institutions.
Minnesota Cottage Food & Value-Added Products Video Webinar with Cindy Hale
Get the skinny on what the current Cottage Food Laws allow you to do, how to register and complete the online or face to face training requirement.
Farm Funding/Grants:
Fall Grants for Minnesota Farmers
State and regional small grant programs can be excellent sources of funding for individual farmers, teams or small groups who want to find innovative solutions to issues faced by growers and farm businesses. We will provide an overview of each grant program, eligible projects & expenses and how to apply.
Cooperative Development:
Co-op 101 with Cooperative Development Services
Join the Finland Food Chain team and Kevin Edberg of the Cooperative Development Services organization to discuss the fundamentals of setting up a new cooperative. Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. Co-ops cultivate sustainable development on a human scale, and provide producers and/or consumers with needed products, services and markets; including food, housing, health care, daycare, elder services, electricity, banking services, and so much more.
More Slideshows:
Finding, Buying, and Gathering Locally Grown and Wild Food (PDF)
Storing Locally Grown and Wild Food: From Drying to Fermenting (PDF)
Grafting Class Slides (PDF)
