Join Maddy Bartsch, natural dye farmer, educator and organizer of decentralized textile economies, as we visit these three unique farms near Northfield. Maddy, who has worked closely with all three farms, will be on the bus with us to share insights and answer questions throughout the tour.

LITTLE HILL BERRY FARM:  Aaron and Molly’s farm grows certified organic, delicious blueberries, strawberries and raspberries south of the Twin Cities in beautiful Northfield. Over the last 10 years, they’ve slowly transformed the gentle, rolling terrain of our farm from a field of corn and soybeans into a luscious, fruitful landscape. Their farm is blanketed with rows of organic blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries - along with cherries, grapes, and native prairie strips - to provide you with both amazing tasting fruit and a beautiful and peaceful landscape to enjoy with your friends and family. They look forward to seeing you soon out on the Little Hill. After a farm tour, you’ll have opportunity to pick berries and shop in their gift store.

GET BENTZ FARM AND FIBER PROCESSING MILL: Theresa Bentz raises Icelandic and Icelandic cross sheep on her beautiful farm which overlooks the Cannon River Valley. Here you can find a variety of products from her sheep including yarn, meat, and sheepskins. They also have a woolen mill which is home to Badgerface Fiber. They source local fibers, paying a fair wage for their raw materials, and turn them into beautiful roving, yarn, and rug yarn. 

KEEPSAKE CIDERY:  Join orchardist and cidermaker Nate Watters and his partner and Tasting Room Manager Tracy for this exclusive deep dive into natural ciders and wines from regional fruit. Keepsake is one of a small group of Cideries nationally to utilize spontaneous fermentation in 100% of their ciders and wines. Take a tour of the orchards, fermentation area and tasting room with the owners and then sit down for a guided tour through select Keepsake ciders. Go home with bottles to enjoy in addition to having an eye-opening experience in what cider can truly be! 

You'll have an opportunity to shop at all the farms, returning home with berries, jams. yarn and cider.

Includes: Motorcoach, 3 farm tours,  berry picking experience at Little Hill Berry Farm, fiber project at Get Bentz Farm and lunch at Keepsake Cidery which includes a Toastie (choice of chips) & cider tastings.

TIME: 7:30 am - Board Bus 

             7:45 am - Bus Departs Southwest High School

          4:30 pm - Return to Southwest High School

Learn more and register here.