What's In Store: Week of March 23

Back in Stock!!!

Apple Cider - $7/half gallon 

Just pure apple cider, from our organic apples. No preservatives or colorings. A limited number of jugs are available - in stock this week & next. Drink fresh, or freeze for later.

Freshly harvested

Salad greens!! (A good week for these!)
Zesty Mix & Mizuna (mild) Microgreens
Pea Shoots - 2 oz & 1/2 lb bags (John prefers these for salads!)

Farm Staples

Applesauce - $6/quart
Applesauce Shares are always in season! A case of 12 for $65
Apple Butter
Eggs - quantity limited (Time to think about picking up Easter Eggs.)

Temporary Hours Continue

Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - Noon
Sunday Closed

Last Few Weeks of Winter Greens

I just planted another round of microgreens and pea shoots for two weeks from now - I'll keep going as long as the greenhouse doesn't get too hot and I have space with spring transplants.

I just harvested from the last new batch of salad greens. We'll get 2-3 cutting out of this, so salad greens will be done in about 2 weeks. Get them while they are here!

Temporary Expanded Store Hours

For the time being we will moving to expanded farm store hours. We believe this will create greater access, greater ability to come when able, and allow easier social distancing.

Monday thru Friday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Saturday 9:00 am - Noon

Sunday Closed

In Stock: microgreens, pea shoots, salad greens (limited), eggs, applesauce, apple butter
Note: Eggs have been going fast. Feel free to message to check availability.


If you have any other suggestions, or requests, please let us know - we are interested to know what people are feeling they need during this time.

We do have two farm dogs and I will work to be mindful of having them out while folks are around, but they need to get out too. :)

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a HORMONE that plays an important part in immune functions. We make sure to include foods that contain Vitamin D in our regular diet; for this, pastured animals are important.

Morning eggs are cooked in lard. Lard from pastured pigs is a good source of D, as are yolks from pastured chickens. If lard isn't your thing choose some good grass-fed butter (we use Kerrygold and Organic Valley). Cod liver oil is another source we use, and I also choose to take a Vitamin D supplement.

Rendering lard.

You may pay more for some of these pastured/grass-fed items, but the nutrient density and flavor worth it...and I’d rather pay the farmer than the doctor.

Many people are deficient in Vitamin D. I’m not a doctor, but this is what we do in our house.

What's In Store: Week of March 4

Come and grab your eggs!

Eggs! Eggs! Eggs! The ladies are really laying again, so we need a few folks to jump back on the egg bandwagon. We appreciate your support!

Another Month of Winter Greens

We have about another month of harvest from our winter greenhouse, before all that's left are bedding plants. 

It's the lean time of year, where there isn't an abundance, but where else can you get freshly harvested greens mid-winter?! We appreciate your patronage, just a few shoppers a week make all the difference!

Hours are Wednesday & Thursday 4-7, Friday and Saturday 9-12 OR by appointment. Make an appt. via email to info@alternativerootsfarm.com or via text to Brooke 507-412-7605. Special hours Saturday, March 14 9:00-4:00.

Freshly harvested

Salad greens!! (These don't happen every week!)
Zesty Mix Microgreens
Pea Shoots

Farm Staples

Applesauce - no added sugar, just cleaning eating goodness with apples and local honey
Apple Butter - no added sugar, apples, spices and local honey
Eggs - free-ranged, organic feed

Store Closed Feb. 26-29

The store will be closed this week!

See you again next week - EGGS now back in stock regularly!! Stop in.

March Fruit Tree Grafting and Pruning Classes

Register to save your spot today! Register Online

Fruit Tree Grafting &/or Pruning Classes

with John Knisley, Alternative Roots Farm

Fruit Tree Grafting Classes

…See full description below.

Saturday, March 14th  -  Minneapolis  - Land Stewardship Project office 821 E. 35th Street #200, Minneapolis

Saturday, March 28th  -  Mankato  - Wooden Spoon 515 N. Riverfront Ave., Mankato
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $60/participant

Fruit Tree Grafting Classes

…See full description below.

Saturday, March 28th  -  Mankato  - Wooden Spoon 515 N. Riverfront Ave., Mankato
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $35/participant ($30 if attending AM grafting class)

Registration & Payment

Registration must be paid in advance. To reserve your spot register online (https://forms.gle/ZfdowPVLX9hh553w6), email info@alternativerootsfarm.com, or call/text 507-412-7605. Mail payment to Alternative Roots Farm, 11197 130th St., Madelia, MN 56062, or inquire about Venmo payment.

**Grafting Class**

In this class we will teach you how to propagate your own apple trees. We will discuss the time-tested techniques of fruit tree grafting including grafting tools, timing, proper scions and rootstocks. Attendees will practice what they learn by “Whip & Tongue” grafting different varieties of apple trees using modern day rootstocks. Each participant will take home 3 newly grafted apple trees to be planted on your own property. Additional rootstocks available for purchase at class. All materials and tools will be provided for the workshop. Optional: Bring scions of your favorite old apple tree if you would like to graft these at the class. (Call John, 507-439-6541, for tips how to properly collect scions.) Two hour classroom portion and two hours for grafting. Hands on learning.
You Bring:
•Large trash bag, & pot/bucket to take your grafts home in.
•Lunch or snack for yourself.

**Pruning Class**

Learn to Properly Prune Your Fruit Trees!•••This workshop will cover the basic principles of pruning your fruit trees, fruit tree anatomy, timing of pruning events, pruning for consistent fruit production and different tree shaping techniques. The workshop will begin with classroom style instruction and then we will go outdoors to practice pruning. You are invited to bring your own pruning tools if you have them, otherwise we will have tools available for you to try. Please be dressed appropriately for the outdoor session of this class.

What's in Store: Week of February 12

Come and grab your greens!

It's the lean time of year, where there isn't an abundance, but where else can you get freshly harvested greens mid-winter?! We appreciate your patronage, just a few shoppers a week make all the difference!

Weather, or no weather, we're keeping hours the same this week - Wednesday & Thursday 4-7, Friday and Saturday 9-12 OR by appointment. Make an appt. via email to info@alternativerootsfarm.com or via text to Brooke 507-412-7605. Be safe and warm!

Freshly harvested

Mild Mix Microgreens
Zesty Mix Microgreens
Pea Shoots

Farm Staples

Applesauce - no added sugar, just cleaning eating goodness with apples and local honey
Apple Butter - no added sugar, apples, spices and local honey
Baking Apples
Garlic - last container!
Eggs - free-ranged, organic feed