Garlic Growers Gathering

Join us for an informal gathering of garlic growers at Mark Anema and Kate Ritger’s farm near Watkins, MN.

We'll visit a garlic field, hear from Dr. Carl Rosen on the University's new Aster Yellows project, and have some social time.

First, we’ll congregate at their garlic patch, which doesn’t have a street address, though you will find it by turning west onto 330th St from Minnesota Hwy 24, between Kimball and Litchfield, in Meeker County. Look for the SFA sign and the cars parked on the south side of 330th Street.

As with all our SFA field days, this will be an honest and candid look at the practices and challenges. For example, there is no water supply at this field where 10,000 cloves were planted last fall.

After we take a look at the garlic patch, we'll caravan 1.5 miles to the farmstead for some social time and garlic talk.  
The address there is 32404 683rd Avenue, Watkins, MN 55389.

Bring a lawn chair if you can, and we'll provide beverages and light snacks.

Prime Avenue Farm has been growing garlic for 7 years, narrowing their focus to two varieties: Music and Deerfield Purple. They are a featured grower at the Minnesota Garlic Festival, and recently appeared in a story on MN Public Radio. 

A cherry orchard, a flock of Icelandic sheep, a vegetable garden, and conservation practices round out the farm operation.

This is a free event.

Pre-registration is required.  
Do that HERE or email Jerry Ford at jerry@sfa-mn.org to make your reservation.  
We do this so that we can inform you if there are changes.

This is a 201 - 301 level event and may not be appropriate for those not yet growing garlic.