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From Fish Tanks to Farmers’ Fields: Clear Water Nitrate Reduction
This story starts with a couple of 25 gallon fish tanks in a St. Olaf dorm room. Growing up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Ian became interested in reducing fertilizer runoff when he learned that sources of pollution like nitrate and phosphorus were invisible as they leached into the groundwater or local streams. Parts of the watershed were overloaded with nutrient pollution whose negative impact increased as it moved downstream.
Simple Cider Co: Pressing Apples to Build Community
“Half of our company is about the apples. The other half is about the space,” explains Nick Revoir of Simple Cider Co. “The space will be designed for all generations of a family. It will be a place of wonder, like walking into a children’s museum, where the ceiling and the floors aren’t just a normal design. It will be built as a safe place for the kids to be themselves while adult friends connect, commiserate and support each other.”
Fiber Arts: Raising Sheep, Producing Wool, and Finding Community at Get Bentz Farm
As the baroness of Get Bentz Farm, Theresa uses both wool from her flock and fleece purchased from shepherds throughout the region to create her signature products. “I love that I’ve become a producer of yarn in our industry,” smiles Theresa. “I enjoy having control over the end product. I get to collaborate with others to create something that people use.”
Mushrooms Powered by the Sun: Fiddlehead Knob Farm’s Sustainable Path Forward
Fiddlehead Knob continues to increase their annual production to better meet demand in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. To continue their quest to do this sustainably, geothermal heating and cooling is part of the farm vision board.
Craft Beer for Crafty People: Tilion Brewing Calls Cannon Falls Home
“Cannon Falls has been an amazing partner for building our business,” shares Chris. “They worked with us from the beginning to help us succeed. We have a wonderful synergy with the winery across the street. We’ve worked with CannonBelles since they opened and sell a lot of cheese curds in house. We are grateful to be a part of the Cannon Falls community and are humbled by their support of our work.”
Ferndale Market: A Minnesota Food Hub That You Need to Know
Fern and Dale Peterson started raising free range turkeys in the rolling hills of the Cannon River Valley in 1939. Their turkeys have always been free range and antibiotic free. As trends in commercial turkey farming changed, Ferndale Farm didn’t.
