Sowing seeds for community and ecological resilience.
As a small farm outside Duluth, our mission is to increase the community and ecological resilience of the Northland by growing native perennials alongside food. Our farm is nestled alongside the Talmadge River, a designated trout stream, on the site of an old dairy farm. We are planting native trees and shrubs, native perennials for pollinators, and removing invasive species to make the landscape as naturally resilient to pests, climate change, etc… as possible, to ensure we can grow food for our community for many years to come. We are committed to supporting biodiversity and soil health in all aspects of our farm; we follow organic, regenerative practices including no-till whenever possible, and our honey bees are responsibly managed.
Native Perennials
We grow more than 50 native perennials, with a focus on local and regional species that support pollinators and beneficial insects. We collect much of our seed from local natural plant populations in order to provide you with plants adapted to our area. Those not naturally occurring in our area are sourced as close as possible. ALL species we offer are naturally found in MN.
In 2024 we are offering 40+ flowering plants and a small selection of grasses and sedges. We have sturdy second-year plants of many species, along with smaller plugs in 6-packs. We will offer a limited number of 50-plug trays specially curated for specific conditions (rain garden, med-dry, shade, septic mound) containing 10 species that range in color and bloom time, depending on availability.
Herbs and Veggies
We grow herb starts in the greenhouse and a wide range of veggies on two acres of open fields and in our high tunnel. You can find our produce at the Duluth Farmer’s Market. This year, we will be selling herb transplants in May-June and will transition to fresh veggies as they are available. We will be expanding into the final 20x100’ strip of production beds and focusing on succession plantings in order to offer MORE of each and for a longer duration. We will have all the basics - greens, root vegetables, brassicas, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, peas, squash, garlic and onions, and more.
Honey Bees
We have a few honey bee hives and offer honey and beeswax products seasonally. I am always experimenting with hive products - we currently sell salve, lip balm, and candles, and I dream of infusing honey with my own hot peppers (maybe this year??) I teach beginner beekeeping classes at the Duluth Folk School each spring and always love to chat bees and hive management. Responsible beekeeping is very important to me, as beekeepers are struggling to keep colonies alive and pathogen transmission between honey bees and native bees is becoming more and more evident.
Why plant natives?
Three reasons to plant natives:
Biodiversity. Native plants evolved alongside the birds, insects, and other wildlife of our region. Many native species coevolved with specific insects or groups of insects, and their survival depends on one another. Increasing the diversity of plants in your yard will allow for greater insect diversity and other wildlife to thrive.
Soil Health. Their deep roots stabilize the soil, prevent runoff, and sequester carbon. As roots die back each season, they leave tiny air channels to aerate the soil and improve drainage.
Low-maintenance. There are natives that will thrive in every combination of soil, water, and light conditions. If site-appropriate species are planted, they will require very little input once established, and are highly disease resistant and low-maintenance compared to many ornamental varieties.
Three reasons to buy local produce:
Lower carbon footprint. Food grown locally doesn’t require a truck to carry it across the country and is less susceptible to supply chain disruptions.
Higher nutritional value. Because local food can be harvested within a few days of sale, your produce retains more of its nutritional value, which tends to drop over time after harvest. Kale and spinach are classic ‘eat me now’ veggies - the more quickly they are eaten after harvest, the better. Additionally, local farmers can grow varieties that are more nutritionally dense and flavorful instead of varieties that last long or don’t bruise easily. Your fresh zucchini should be SOFT, not firm like those you find in the store.
Support local economy. Supporting local farmers means more money stays in the local economy.
