In upcoming posts this spring and early summer, I will be introducing you to local farmers that have a passion for producing clean, healthy food.
This week’s farm is Nelson Grass Farm located in Ogilvie, Minnesota which is about 1-1/2 hours north of the Twin Cities. Desiree and Ryan Nelson have been farming here since 2011. I had the privilege of visiting their farm, and Desiree provided a tour, sharing about the farm, the livestock, and their vision for the future.
The Nelson’s are passionate about regenerative farming and a holistic practice at the farm.
“Regenerative Agriculture” describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon draw down and improving the water cycle.
The animals on the farm receive no chemicals or antibiotics; neither does the soil the animals pasture on! They truly have a chemical-free life.
What does Nelson Grass Farm offer?
Eggs: Animal Welfare Approved (AWA Certified)
The farm has seven different breeds of laying hens: Black Australorp, Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, California Whites (white eggs), Ameraucanas (blue/green eggs), and Red and Black Sexlinks. Each year a different breed of chicken is brought in to the flock. This has worked well to know the age of the hens and when they will retire. The hens are moved to fresh grass weekly; these hens seemed very happy when I visited the farm.
Broilers:
The farm has two breeds of broilers: Freedom Rangers and Cornish Rock Cross. Since I visited the farm this spring, the broiler chicks were still in the brooder, but once they are 2-1/2 to 3 weeks old, they will be on pasture. They are fed a no-soy grain and moved to fresh grass daily. This system applies the right amount of nutrient-rich chicken manure to the ground and the chickens don’t destroy the plants.
Pork:
Nelson Grass Farm purchase weaned pigs in the spring. The pigs have access to a no-soy ration and pasture once they are ready to be outside. The pigs eat grass, leaves, small trees, and numerous edibles found from rooting through the soil. These pigs get to be pigs by foraging; what a great life for them!
If you would like to learn more about their farm, products, and their farming practices, check out their website: Nelson Grass Farm. You can sign up for their newsletter when you visit the site.
While at the farm, I purchased two dozen eggs and about 21 pounds of chicken. Hubby actually said that “these eggs taste better”, maybe happy hens make better tasting eggs!
Now you may be thinking this sounds great, but I can’t drive to Ogilvie to get my eggs, chicken, or pork on a regular basis. You are in luck as they deliver to both the east and west side of the metro on a specific schedule each month. Here are the cities with drop site:
East side (Second and Last Thursday of each month)
Wyoming, Forest Lake, Roseville, U of M-St. Paul, Downtown St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan, Woodbury, Oakdale, and White Bear Lake.
West side (First and Third Wednesday of each month)
Cambridge, Anoka, Blaine, Minneapolis, Uptown, Edina, Bloomington, Chanhassen, Minnetonka/Hopkins, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Elk River, and Zimmerman.
You can pre-order what you would like by connecting with Desiree. I receive an email letting me know the schedule, then can easily order and meet her for the pick-up.
If you would like to visit the farm, they are having an open house and customer appreciation dinner on the afternoon of June 9, 2018. It should be a fun event.
In sharing about healthy eating, I encourage clients to obtain as much of their food from local sources. You support a local business, local products often retain more nutrients, taste fresher, reduce CO2 emissions (less trucking), preserve green space, and create community and connection to your food.
I hope you will check out Nelson Grass Farm’s website, and give them a try. Hope to see you at the open house! Be blessed.
Heather
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