I didn’t grow up farming.

I didn’t grow up farming.

I didn’t grow up with farm animals, or know how to take a pigs temperature (rectally ).

I didn’t grow up canning, preserving, cooking even.

I didn’t grow up foraging and making plant medicine.

I didn’t grow up eating wild game and animals I knew the names of.

I didn’t grow up in the garden.

I didn’t render lard or bake bread til my 30s. Didn’t nail sourdough til my 40s.

I wasn’t blessed by time with grandparents that passed down traditional knowledge and skills.

I had to learn. I taught myself, I learned from others, I gathered mentors, went to classes, read.

I dug in. Got messy. Screwed up. Failed. Tried again. Got my hands dirty. Lost animals. Lost plants. Baked a beautiful loaf of bread.

I grew a garden. I raised a pig. I tasted the difference.

I learned to cook. Strike that, still learning to cook. You can taste the difference.

When you dig in you can...

See

Smell

Taste

Touch and feel

Hear

...the differences. A subsurface experience that grows the soul.

Moments of joy and pride. As well as frustrations. It’s all part of the ride.

A couple years ago the concept of “limiting beliefs” kept popping up for me. Okay universe! I’m listening. Learning about limiting beliefs and becoming aware of that messaging from self, society, family was powerful.

Limiting beliefs are state of mind or beliefs about yourself that restrict you in some way.

One limiting belief I had was “I am NOT a baker.” Screwed up cookies, and more. All. The. Time. I changed that.

We just have to dig in and try. Do a little bit more all the time.

We humans need creativity and hands on work. We need challenges to stretch ourselves and grow. We need to do the things. The only thing holding us back sometimes is our own minds.

What have you taught yourself?

What do you still want to learn?

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December 15 Farm Updates

We are wrapping up the year with the very tail ends of our apples left in the farm store (and appearing in Winter Wellness CSA), greens and the chickens laying about 2 eggs a day. It feels like a real Minnesota winter with the cold, snow, sledding (and chickens laying 2 eggs a day). I love it.

Stop into the farm store for Christmas gifts and more!! Last day to shop Friday, December 19th.

Closed December 21-31. 

Text Brooke for appointments & inquiries during this time, and watch the socials for updates. Greens will be available also at Winter Markets and Graze Coop.

Mankato Market Schedule

Find us at the Winter Mankato Farmers' Markets 9am - 12:00pm, 1st & 3rd Saturdays through March!

December 20

January 3

January 17

What's in the Farm Store

Organic Winter Greens:

Microgreens - Zesty Mix!, Arugula, Mizuna

Pea Shoots

Baby Salad Greens *limited due to cloudy conditions

*Micros/peas are harvested weekly to keep things fresh! Salad mix is harvested as ready/able.

Organic Apple Varieties:

Haralson - classic baker, complex tart flavor, firm, crisp, juicy.

Prairie Spy - A sweet apple with excellent flavor, which only improves in storage. Good sized, firm and dense apples. Great for fresh eating, cooking and storage.

Canned Items in Store:

Applesauce

Apple Butter

*Watch for jams returning!

Eggs are basically out of stock til Spring.

Herbal Wellness:

Salves:

   -Bruise Salve - stop a bruise in its tracks, aid healing of existing bruises, hemherroids

   -Knitbone Salve - musculoskeletal, sore muscles, sprains, strains, broken bones

   -Cottonwood Wound Salve - think of it as a natural neosporin, plus pain relief, use on cuts, minor            wounds, burns, etc.

Calendula Lotion Bar - solid lotion bar that soothes and moisturizes

Herbal Sore Throat Spray

Elderberry Syrup Kits

Digestive Bitters

Herbal Tinctures - Willow Bark, Astragalus, Stinging Nettles, Elderberry, Ashwaganda, Holy Basil

Farm Store Hours - Tu-Fri 9-7 & Sat 9-2, or by appt.

Winter greenhouse sunset.

Favorite Ways to Use Pea Shoots

Pea shoots! Harvested at about two weeks of age, these tender shoots taste like fresh spring peas. They have a mild, fresh flavor and are packed with nutrition. Pea shoots can be used raw, or lightly cooked. Like microgreens they are super versatile!

With Eggs

If you have been following me for any given amount of time you've probably seen my post 800,000 pictures of eggs and greens. Zesty Micros are my first go-to, but pea shoots fill the bill too!! They are my preferred when dressing scrambled eggs, or adding a layer on a frittata.

Sandwiches and Wraps

Let's just dress those BLTs, wraps, burritos and tacos, shall we! Tender pea shoots are the perfect accompaniment.

Curry and Stir Fry

I know this is a pic of micros, but I haven't one of pea shoots. We love wilting pea shoots into hot curry, stir fried ramen and the like, or mixed in a bowl of korean beef! Always topping our bowl, or adding in just before serving.

With Salad

Of course the easiest thing would be to add to your existing lettuce salad! Pea shoots are light and tender enough that I will also use them as a salad base solo. 

Health Tip!

Aim for 1 cup of raw greens, or a 1/2 cup cooked each and every day - studies show it keeps our brains younger! Pea shoots are an easy way to keep greens in the diet, add flavor and nutrition...and feel a little fancy when you sprinkle them around. 

P.S. Pro tip...you could take this same advice for microgreens!! 

Breakfast Benefits for your Brain!

Okay, my favorite way to use my microgreens is with my eggs in the morning. Hands down. Zesty Mix or Arugula would be my go-tos. 

Many times folks haven't thought about the use at breakfast! Which always surprises me. It's so easy, feels like such a great way to start the day AND an easy was to sneak in extra veggies.

And there are benefits!

“Daily consumption of leafy greens may be a simple and effective way to protect against loss in memory and other cognitive abilities.” – Martha Clare Morris, PhD

My basic breakfast would just be a couple over easy eggs resting on a bed of microgreens, with a dash of green Tabasco...or many dashes. I don't always hit the mark, but in aiming for 1 cup of raw greens or a 1/2 cup of cooked greens, this breakfast boost gives me a good start on this goal. (Read to the end for why I have this goal!)

On the weekends, and days where I have a little more time (or done a little more prep work) this will also include a layer of sautéed onions/garlic/red peppers/kale OR lately some roasted delicata squash with my onions and garlic. One morning we also make bacon and breakfast sausage...yum.

Of course the microgreens, as well as our pea shoots and salad mix go great with scrambled eggs (love to wilt some pea shoots in there!) and omelets as well. 

Leave no breakfast behind! Your brain just may thank you!

"A recent [2018] study published in Neurology found that people who consumed 1-2 servings of leafy green vegetables each day experienced fewer memory problems and cognitive decline than people who rarely ate leafy greens. Researchers studied 960 adults with no signs of dementia.

Lead researcher Martha Clare Morris and her team of nutritional epidemiologists at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center estimate that people who consume about 1.3 servings of leafy green vegetables per day had brains that were about 11 years younger..."

Source: https://bluezones.com/2018/01/news-greens-every-day-keeps-brain-11-years-younger/

Thanksgiving Shopping Hours

 

Grab greens, apples, applesauce, hostess gifts and more!!

Watch for updates in case fresh sweet cider lands!!

What are Microgreens?

A quick explanation is that microgreens are tiny baby plants that pack a punch with nutrition and flavor!!

They are the miniature version of their adult counterparts, packed with nutrients and enzymes from their rapid growth. Harvested around 10-14 days, just before or at the first leaf stage.

Baby vegetables! (That are often more fun. :)

That's it, really pretty simple! And they are very easy to use.

Most microgreens found on store shelves are grown on shelving under grow lights, which aids in quick and even growing in their trays. Some are grown on coir, or grow mats, some in soil.

A few things that set our microgreens apart:

1. Our microgreens (all our winter greens) are grown under natural sunlight in our passive solar Deep Winter Greenhouse (DWG).

1. Our Organic micros are grown in organic soils.

1. Did you pick up on the third difference?! Our micros are Certified Organic...as well as Real Organic Project Certified!

What do microgreens taste like and how are they used?

Microgreens are so versatile and easy to use, and they are not just for salads!

Typically used raw microgreens are a very easy way to add nutrition, flavor and fun to your meals. Flavor is going to depend on the type of green you purchase. Arugula micros are going to taste like full grown peppery arugula. Radish micros will taste like radishes. Our signature Zesty Mix! is a zippy, flavorful mustard greens blend.

My favorite way to use microgreens is with my eggs in the morning! Helps me start the day with more veggies and nutrition, adds great flavor and texture - place over-easy eggs on a bed of micros, sprinkle over scambled eggs or an omelet.

They are great in sandwiches, salads (of course), on tacos, in a Korean beef bowl and so much more! I have a customers whose kiddo likes to tuck some in a slice of salami and eat up! The world is your oyster!

Chances are they compliment a few of your favorite dishes!

Winter Wellness CSA

Winter Wellness CSA 2025

Now full for 2025, may be added to waitlist for 2026 and Sampler CSAs this winter - info@alternativerootsfarm.com or text Brooke at 507-412-7605

Greens are growing and the winter greenhouse is filling up at a good pace!

Past time to get our Winter Wellness CSA up and going! Sign up opens to members from the last year, and folks who have asked to be added to the wait list. But here are deets for everyone, in case this seems like a good future fit for you. 

 

As always, the highlight is our winter greens! Pea shoots, microgreens and salad mix will be accompanied by canned goods and herbal wellness items. This season the apple harvest was good, so apples will accompany the first 2-3 pick ups.

Winter Greens Feature – organic pea shoots, zesty microgreens, mustard greens salad mix – one per pick up, generally.

Canned Goods Feature – applesauce, apple butter, jam/jelly, pizza sauce, salsa – with 1-2 items in each share pick up.

Herbal Wellness Items Feature – 1-2 salve, lotion bar, sore throat spray and more – holistic wellness comes from more than just food.

Produce Items Feature – apples 2-3x, garlic 1x.

 

Winter Wellness CSA will have 7 pick-ups November—March. We like to start the week before Thanksgiving. Pick ups will look like à Nov(1), Dec(2), Jan(2), Feb(1), Mar(1), by my best estimate, pick ups per month. Greens are picked up at the farm store, or the Mankato Winter Farmers Market (ONLY if dates line up). Shares are roughly every several weeks, dependent on the growth of greens. I am better at anticipating this now, but every once and a while I may have to push back a week if growth is slow (clouds and cold and such). Flexibility is a must.

 

Investment is $270. $135 due up front for reservation, with remaining $135 due by first pick up, or by verbal payment plan.

 

Eggs – In the past I have reserved ahead but cannot this year.

 

Holler to reserve your share. There are only 10 available!

Send any questions our way.