Fall CSA Shares Available

Fall CSA Options   ::   Online Order Form

“Going to Alternative Roots Farm to pick up our Fall Share is something we really look forward to. It’s fun to see the animals! The vegetables are great and beautifully displayed. Heading out to the farm makes us “town folks” feel like we are part of the harvest season.” -Yvonne & Lee, CSA members

It’s that time of year again! Join us for our fourth season of Fall CSA. Enjoy the bounty of the season, fresh from the farm. This year our Fall Shares focus on the basics and best of the apple season.

In the past we have had a larger Full size, and a Mini Share; this year there is one more medium sized Fall Share and a new Apple Lovers Share. Join us for our Fall CSA, or swing by the Farm Store!

Fall CSA Shares are picked up at the farm between 4:00-7:00 pm on the dates specified.

Shares are done “market style” where you bag up your items—please bring your own container(s).


Wednesday, October 2  |  Hunter’s Moon Share  |  $45
Apples—fresh eating and baking, apple butter, applesauce, apple rings, acorn squash, butternut squash, garlic, onions, pea shoots, potatoes, kale/chard. Add on items will be available in the farm store.

Wednesday, October 30  |  Snow Moon Share  |  $45
Apples—fresh eating and baking, apple butter, applesauce, apple rings, acorn squash, butternut squash, garlic, onions, pea shoots/microgreens, kale/chard, potatoes. Add on items will be available in the farm store.

All items subject to availability, items may change based on abundance, or availability of other produce.

Apple Lovers Share  |  $30
Apples 4# bag, 2 apple butter, 2 applesauce, apple rings.

     Available Oct. 2 and 30, along with Fall CSA, or anytime in October by preorder appointment!

Online Order Form

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Coming Soon!

Farm Share Options Coming Soon!

We offer different share options that provide you with a discount on a little larger purchase of various items. Perfect for enjoying the best of each season and stocking the pantry or freezer!

Fall Apple Share Sign Up

Opening shortly! Beginning in September enjoy 6 weeks of seasonal organic/transitional organic apples. Pick up at the Saturday Mankato farmers market or on farm (12 miles South of New Ulm, 8 miles North of Madelia). More info: 2019 Shares.

$54.00 :: 24 lbs/4 lb Bag x 6 weeks

Tomato Shares

10 or 20 lbs boxes of organic, heirloom tomatoes for canning. For purchase during the season as available - join the wait list to be notified.

$28  ||  10 lbs  30% discount
$52  ||  20 lbs  35% discount

Pesto Shares

Includes 2 lbs of fresh, organic basil and 4 heads of organic garlic. Delivered as available in August/September. Eat it fresh and stock up your freezer.Add into scrambled eggs, pastas, spread on sandwiches or garlic bread or pizza. Delish! For purchase during the season as available - join the wait list to be notified.

$23.00  ||  2 lbs basil & 4 bulbs of garlic

Fall CSA Shares

Fall CSA Shares will be offered once in September, twice in October. Sign up for one, or all three, dates - coming soon. An on-farm market will also be available during Fall CSA pick up.

Full details coming soon!

Now Available!

Applesauce Shares  -  Apple Butter Shares

Applesauce Shares - A case of 12 quarts for $65. A popular option for the kiddos!

Apple Butter Shares - A six pack of butter to stock your pantry, $26.

Clean eating treats made with no extra sugar - just local honey!

How to get our garlic

If you have ever had our garlic you know it is top notch - it certainly blows the grocery store garlic out of the water. Grab a tissue...I don't want to make you sad, but...we are sold out for the season.

It was a teeeerrrrrrrible year for garlic growers all over the state. The long cold spring, wet (saturated really) conditions in June did not help. We had a 54% loss on our farm, but we are oh so grateful that loss came in size, not plants (about 3,000 of them). We know two other nearby growers who lost 7,000 and 10,000 plants. So, anywho, hows about that garlic?!

Normally we would have garlic for sale into the winter, but the only way you are going to get our garlic yet this fall/winter is to get in on our Fall CSA program! (Winter/Pantry CSA is sold out at this time.)


We have a limited amount of Fall #2 Hunter's Moon and Fall #3 Snow Moon CSA Shares yet available - holler at us to reserve a share!! info@alternativerootsfarm.com or text Brooke 507-412-7605.

Fall CSA pick up is held at the farm, from 4:00-7:00 pm on the dates listed below. 
Pick up will be market style, bring your own containers. 
Stock up your fridge and pantry with local, organic, seasonal goodness!

Fall CSA Order Form

Hunter’s Moon Share

Fall CSA #2  •  October 17

Full Shares $85  ||  Chard/kale, greens, onions, potatoes, winter squash: acorn/butternut, garlic, watermelon radishes, beets, carrots, apples, applesauce & apple butter.* Deposit: $45     5 more available!

Mini Shares $35  ||  Greens, onions, potatoes, winter squash: acorn/butternut, garlic, parsnips, carrots, beets, applesauce.* Deposit: $20     4 more available!

Snow Moon Share

Fall CSA #3  •  Nov. 7

Full Shares $90  ||  Microgreens, onions, potatoes?, winter squash: acorn/butternut/potimarron, garlic, watermelon radishes, beets, carrots, parsnips, apples, applesauce, cabbage. Deposit: $50     8 more available!


Mini Shares $35  ||  Microgreens, onions, potatoes?, winter squash: acorn/butternut, garlic, parsnips, carrots, beets, applesauce/apple butter. Deposit: $20     Only 1 more available!

*All items subject to change, based on availability.


Fall CSA Order Form

Fall CSA Share Season!

Our first Fall Share is just a couple weeks away! With the chill in the air this morning I cozied up in a sweatshirt and slippers - it indeed feels like fall. Let us welcome Fall and it's harvest and bounty with the Harvest Moon Share! Scroll down for full details...

Email info@alternativerootsfarm.com or text 507-412-7605 to grab a share and make sure of availability - just 4 left for our first share. Come out to the farm, where your food is grown - fill your fridge/pantry, invest in food as medicine, build community and enrich your soul.

Connecting you to the land and farmers that feed you.

 Stay tuned! We plan to host a Market @ the Farm alongside these events!

Fall CSA Shares  ||  Fall CSA pick up is held at the farm, from 4:00-7:00 pm on the dates listed (Wednesdays). Pick up will be market style, bring your own containers. 

“Going to Alternative Roots Farm to pick up our Fall Share is something we really look forward to. It’s fun to see the animals! The vegetables are great and beautifully displayed. Heading out to the farm makes us “town folks” feel like we are part of the harvest season.” -Yvonne & Lee, CSA members

*Items subject to change, based on availability. You can see notes that were made on some changes, due to 15" of rain in June and the continued effects...many items were lost, some are still behind.

ORDER FORM

Fall #1  ||  Harvest Moon Share Wednesday, September 19  Only 4 left!

Full Shares $70  ||  Herbs, celery, chard, kale, greens, onions, potatoes??, winter squash: acorn?/delicata, tomatoes: cherry/slicers, cabbage, garlic, beets, carrots, applesauce & butter, apples. Deposit: $40

SOLD OUT Mini Shares $25  ||  Herbs, chard, onions, potatoes, winter squash: acorn?/delicata, tomatoes: cherry/slicer, garlic, carrots, beets, apples. Deposit: $15

Fall #2  ||  Hunter’s Moon Share Wednesday, October 17

Full Shares $85  ||  Chard/kale, greens, leeks, onions, potatoes??, winter squash: acorn/butternut, garlic, watermelon radishes, beets, carrots, apples, applesauce & butter, tomato-basil soup??. Deposit: $45

Mini Shares $35  ||  Greens, leeks, onions, potatoes??, winter squash: acorn/butternut, garlic, parsnips, carrots beets, applesauce. Deposit: $20

Fall #3  ||  Snow Moon Share Wednesday, November 7

Full Shares $90  ||  Microgreens, leeks, onions, potatoes??, winter squash: acorn/butternut/potimarron, garlic, watermelon radishes, beets, carrots, parsnips, apples, applesauce, cabbage. Deposit: $50

Mini Shares $35  ||  Microgreens, leeks, onions, potatoes??, winter squash: acorn/butternut, garlic, parsnips, carrots, beets, applesauce/butter. Deposit: $20

ORDER FORM

Fall Shares Available!

Fall Shares & Market @ the Farm ~ October 25th 4-7:00pm

email: alternativerootsfarm@yahoo.om

Full $80  (8 available) ~ Mini $30 (only 1 left!)

Available first-come, first served.

Pick up will be at the farm from 4:00-7:00 pm, Wed., October 25th and will be market style. Bring your own containers.

Full Fall Shares: ~1lb garlic, 3-5lbs onions, 4lbs potatoes, shallots, tomato-basil soup, apple butter, butternut & acorn squash, greens, varied bulk quantities of roots (parsnips, carrots, beets), cabbage, leeks. $80

Mini Fall Share: garlic, onions, apple butter, squash, leeks, greens. $30

email: alternativerootsfarm@yahoo.om

Amounts are approximate, amounts & items may change, based on availability. 

An on-farm market will be available during this time also, for purchase of items ala carte.

CSA Week 14

Week 14 boxes were delivered Wednesday, September 13. New for week 14 were acorn squash and baby leeks!

CSA Newsletter for Week 14

In the Box: baby leeks, German Red garlic, celery, summercrisp lettuce, 2lbs Kennebec potatoes, pint cherry/grape tomatoes, four Prairie Spy apples, red onions, Ronde de Nice summer squash OR zucchini, heirloom tomatoes, Thelma Sanders heirloom acorn squash, mix snap/wax beand, rosemary sprigs, pint ground cherries (half shares).

CSA Week 13

We're back! Missed a couple weeks in there...it's all good. My phone has been fussy with taking photos (and who even uses a real camera these days). Here are a couple photos of the week 13 boxes and a link to the latest newsletter, which features some tomato recipes. We are looking forward to enjoying the last third of the season - five weeks to go!

Week 13 CSA Newsletter ~ featuring: farm news, musings on preserving; tomato recipes, list of previous recipes.

In the Box: Jalapenos, Georgian Fire garlic, zucchini or zucchini & summer squash, head lettuce (half shares), Swiss chard (full shares), 1.5lbs mixed heirloom beans, carrots, mixed heirloom slicer tomatoes, pint of cherry/grape tomatoes, 2lbs Kennebec potatoes, trio of 'Prairie Spy' apples.

Some Tomato Shares members received 10lb boxes of mixed heirloom tomatoes; the rest of the these shares will be delivered over the next two weeks.

Herb Boosters continued with Basil, Rosemary and Sage this week.

The first of our Applesauce Shares were delivered. There is still time to grab an Applesauce Share! Stock your pantry with a case of farm fresh, clean-eating applesauce. Made with organic apples, local honey and love. A case of 12 is $65.

CSA Week #10

Quick and dirty - here's week #10! New this week - green pepper and red onions.

CSA Newsletter Week 10 ~ featuring: farm news; recipes: Melinda's Carrot Hummus, Chard-Potato Frittata, Chard Stuffed or Unstuffed.

Week 10 CSA Box ~ Aug. 16, 2017

In the Box: chives, Hungarian wax peppers (full shares), Swiss chard (full) or kale (half), Ronde de Nice summer squash, carrots, zucchini, German Extra Hardy garlic duo, Rattlesnake snap beans, 2lbs Reddale potatoes, celery, red onion pair, green pepper, cucumber trio.

CSA Week #9

It was a rainy CSA day, one where the full body rain suit is a necessity to get the job done. Most harvest work was done Tuesday, accordingly, but a few items still had to come out during the rain. So, after a quick harvest of celery, kale, squash and cukes, I pulled all the green onions out of the field to clean and bunch out of the rain. That wasn't too terribly bad, or wet, but it did make the hand chillier than one would think for August!

New this week - snap beans (finally), Reddale potatoes, celery, Beacon and Pristine apples, and German Extra Hardy garlic.

CSA Newsletter Week #9 ~ featuring: farm news and a few questions; featured veggie: cucumbers; recipes: Best Ever French Beans, Simple Turkish Bean (Fasulye).

CSA Week 9 ~ August 9, 2017

In the Box: cucumber trio, celery, German Extra Hardy garlic, French Gray shallots (half shares), Beacon (red striping) and Pristine apples, Dragon's Tongue wax beans (full shares), Rattlesnake snap beans (half shares), carrots, rosemary-sage bunch, 2# Reddale potatoes, Ronde de Nice summer squash (half shares), green onions, Cocozelle zucchini (full shares), beets with greens.

Dragon's tongue wax beans.

Heirloom carrots, after washing, before bunching.

It was very exciting to have our first harvest of Pristine, off our young orchard trees!

Beacon and Pristine organic apples.

Info on Apple Shares coming soon!

CSA Week #8

Jewels of summer in boxes this week, to celebrate reaching the half way point. New this week are French Gray shallots, tomatoes and Hungarian wax peppers!

CSA Newsletter Week #8 featuring: 
farm news
featured veggie: beans
recipes: 
-cucumber water
-Hungarian sour cream cucumbers
-carrot rice
-Paula Dean's zucchini bread (with a bunch of farmer notes)

In the Box: beet bunch, Russian Red garlic bulb, cucumber quartet, French Gray shallots, green onions, carrots, Swiss chard, pint mixed heirloom tomatoes (full shares), Ronde de Nice (round) summer squash, 'Cocozelle' zucchini, Hungarian hot wax peppers (half shares), Dragon's Tongue wax beans.

CSA Week #7

Harvest and deliveries continue with Week #7 CSA boxes. New this week are Mountain Rose potatoes...mmm...

Week #7 CSA Newsletter ~ featuring: farm news; featured veggie: cabbage; recipes for: Evolution Cucumber Salad, Unstuffed Cabbage, Fresh Basil Vinaigrette, Preparing Garlic, Grilled Cabbage, Scallion Pancakes.

In the Box: green onions, basil bunch, jalapeno duo, kale, zucchini (half shares), cabbage, Russian Red Garlic, parsley, Dragon's Tongue heirloom wax beans, Mountain Rose new potatoes, cucumber quintet, apple butter.

From the farm, farm dog Odin was working on a cucumber and farm kitten Loki decided to join him. Totally didn't set this up! They were eating cucumber together! So cute.

CSA Week #6

If you are looking back at recipes from previous newsletters all the shortcut links are HERE.

It seems time has started flying! I knew it was week 6, then it clicked that that's a third of our season! Crazy! Week 6 boxes were delivered - neither rain, nor snow, nor tornado warning shall keep us from delivering our produce. The downpour, torrential at times yielded about 1.7".

Anywho...new this week were Dragon's Tongue wax beans, jalapeños and garlic!

A Full Share CSA box packed and ready to go!

 CSA Newsletter Week #6 ~ featuring: "what's in the box"; Recipes: Grilling Vegetables Part 2, Stir Grilling, Preparing Garlic and bean cooking tips; article: "Food Waste: Put Your Guilt in the Compost."

CSA Box Week #6 ~ July 19, 2017

In the Box: green onions, zucchini (half shares) or 'Ronde de Nice' heirloom summer squash (full shares), green cabbage, kale (half shares), pair of jalapenos, German Red garlic, 1.3lbs Sangre new potatoes, chives, Dragon's Tongue heirloom wax beans, carrots (full shares), 1.3lbs Lodi (tart) apples, cucumber trio.

Sangre new potatoes.

The garlic harvest is in! Fresh, or uncured, garlic went in this week's boxes.

CSA Week #5

The weight of summer bounty is beginning to fill CSA boxes. The first summer squash/zucchini, cucumbers, beets and apples were packed into boxes this week. The delightful aroma of fresh veggies wafts from the boxes as you open them. Mmmm.

CSA Newsletter Week #5 ~ featuring: farm news, MANY recipes: Chimichurri Sauce, Baked or Roasted Beets, Sauteed Beet Greens, Grilling Greens, Grilling Vegetables part I, Beet cooking tips.

In the Box: Garlic scapes (curly-Qs), spring onions, sage (full shares), green cabbage, beets, 1# Lodi heirloom apples, pint snow OR snap peas, summer squash (round, pictured) OR zucchini (full shares), Swiss chard (half shares), kale (full shares), kohlrabi trio, cucumber trio (half shares), radishes, basil (half shares).

Lodi heirloom apples

Read more about our Lodi apples here.

Herb Booster

Herb Booster this week: Basil, thyme, spearmint.

CSA Week #4

Last Wednesday marked four weeks of delivery under the belt and we are just getting started! The bounty continues and grows!

CSA Newsletter Week #4 ~ News from the farm; featured veggie: peas; tips for cooking kohlrabi; recipes: sautéed radishes & sugar snap peas with dill, kohlrabi & cabbage salad with maple lemon dressing.

In the Box: Basil, Swiss chard (full shares), pint snow or snap peas, garlic scapes, radishes, green onions, All Hail! Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam (or apple butter), quart shell peas, summer crisp lettuce (half shares, kohlrabi.

Herb Boosters began this week, with parsley, rosemary and basil!

Bonus kitten photo...Loki...fuzzy little kitten ball.

CSA Week #3

Summer is here! Week 3 hails the salad days of early summer and brings the last of our bountiful early lettuces, while welcoming in the bounty of pea season!

CSA Newsletter Week #3 ~ featuring: farm news, featured veggie: Radish, intro to garlic scapes, recipes for: 'garlic scape pesto', 'radish butter', 'braised peas with spring onions and lettuce.'

In the Box: Bunch of kale (or chard), radishes, green shallots, herb bundle--mint & parsley, quart of shelling peas, garlic scapes, red and green summer crisp lettuce, pair of kohlrabi, pint snap or snow peas.

Green harvest! Bounty of kale and first of the Swiss chard.

Radishes add lovely color and heat to our plates!

Kohlrabi aliens are a refreshing addition.

Find Alternative Roots Farm at the farmers' market every Saturday 9:00-12:00 in the Cash Wise parking lot! Don't forget your reusable bag! ;)

What's @ market: Apple butter, garlic scapes, shell peas, snap peas, snow peas, fresh greens and herbs, radishes, rhubarb and more!

CSA • Week #1 • Let's get this party started!

What a beautiful day Wednesday was! Our first round of CSA harvest completed and 28 boxes of seasonal, organic, fresh, gorgeous produce delivered to our members. It feels good to be back folks - thank you for the support, enthusiasm and humor!

Week #1 CSA Newsletter ~ featuring: farm news, freezing rhubarb, rhubarb tips, shallot vinaigrette, handy tools for the kitchen, recipe sources.

CSA Box #1 • June 14, 2017

In the Box: 'Winter Density' heirloom romaine, chives, 3/4lb rhubarb, apple butter, kale mini bunch, 'Pirat' heirloom butterhead lettuce, All Hail! Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam , green shallots, spinach, CSA newsletter, veggie storage guide, ARF produce seasonality chart.

When life gives you hail, make strawberry-rhubarb jam! With having hail 4 times so farm this spring, it's a miracle the strawberries were the only thing really affected. With the multitude of bruised berries members received some jam this week, in place of fresh berries!

We kick off the year with salad season! Whip up some vinaigrette with the fresh shallots and chow down on some greens.

Some humor shared during delivery from rockstar CSA member Pat. Thanks for the chuckle! :)

February 24 is National CSA Day!

Do you have your CSA share yet?! Our goal is to move out the last of our few remaining share, so we can focus on farming and the important projects of the season ahead, including planting our new land into organic orchard and building our deep winter greenhouse for winter growing. Will you join us?

Friday, February 24th is National CSA Day. "CSA is the most direct connection that an eater can have with his or her farmer and is a connection to the land that an eater can’t get in any other way. Through CSA, we imbue food with meaning, story, and connection. In a world of intractable problems, being a CSA farmer or CSA member is an act we can take to make life better for our land, economy, and community as a whole." Excerpt from A Vision for 5 Million CSA Customers by 2030

CSA isn't just a meal delivery service, it's a connection to your food and farm. A way to support the health of your family, while also supporting your local economy and the health of your environment. It's an adventure, it's community building - with the bonus of being delicious!

Our members are at the core of what we do - thank you! This isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle - it's a labor of love that we are proud to do.