Minnesota Premium Garlic Project Field Days: June 30 in Kenyon, July 7 in Chokio

SFA’s Upper Midwest Garlic Growers Group and the Minnesota Premium Garlic Project are hosting two upcoming field days on opposite sides of Minnesota, with more to come this fall.

The first will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sat., June 30, at Seven Songs Organic Farm, 46544 70th Ave., Kenyon, where farmer Melissa Driscoll grows certified organic herbs, fruits and vegetables, including nine cultivars of garlic, on her seven-acre farm. One of her hoophouse-grown porcelain garlics won first prize at the 2012 Minnesota Garlic Festival, and Seven Songs also produces and sells Garlic Scape Pesto made with their own basil and scapes. Melissa is interested in the differences in storability of each of her nine cultivars, and in winter 2011-12 and winter 2015-16 she tested how well each stores in the regular home environment. This data helps market the garlic to chefs and farmers’ market customers.

This event is free but an RSVP is required. REGISTER. Please bring a snack or drinks to share at social time.

The second is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 7 at Big Stone Garlic and begins at its north location, 62247 340th St, Chokio, where the Swenson and Olson families (right) grow hardneck garlic with all-natural methods. Operating at two separate farms about 10 miles apart, Big Stone is one of the six Collaborating Farms in the MN Premium Garlic Project, and are doing field trials on mulch, fertilizer and planting times. The tour will travel at noon to the farm’s south location, 39224 600th Ave, Correll.

This event is free but an RSVP is required. REGISTER. Please bring a dish to share for a potluck lunch.

Future events include:

• Aug. 11 – Minnesota Garlic Festival, Hutchinson
• Sept. 8 – “Growing Great Garlic in Minnesota,” Orr. Details TBA
• Sept. 11 – “Growing Great Garlic in Minnesota,” Austin. Details TBA
• Sept. 29 – “Growing & Marketing Premium Garlic,” Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista. Details TBA
• Oct. 13 – Garlic Planting Field Day, Morris. Details TBA.