Farm Aid's 40th Anniversary in Minnesota

It was a great honor to be included in the press conference kick-off to Farm Aid’s 40th Anniversary concert in Minneapolis on Sept. 20th. You can watch the press conference and the short film I was featured in on YouTube!

It was also fun to be featured on the big screen throughout the concert behind the likes of John Mellencamp, Wynonna Judd, and Neil Young!

Very grateful for the fantastic photography of Scott Streble who captured these moments both on the farm and at the concert!

It was also wonderful to be included in a great write up of the event in the rural and small town newsletter Barn Raiser.

…One such farmer was Hannah Bernhardt, who runs Medicine Creek Farm in Finlayson, Minnesota. Bernhardt grew up on a farm during the 1980s farm crisis and learned how difficult it is to make a living as a farmer. What got her back into farming was seeing the “diversity of new farmers that are getting into agriculture because they are learning about regenerative agriculture.”

Bernhardt told the audience at the pre-concert press conference, farmers are increasingly coming to understand “the importance of soil health and taking care of the soil in order for the food that we are growing to be healthier.” With its focus on also ensuring clean water and air, Bernhardt called regenerative farming “a public service to everyone.”

Bernhardt says regenerative farming practices also gives power back to farmers. “We’re not having to spend so much money with corporations. We’re not at the beck and call, at the prices that they’re willing to give us when we can do things on our own and keep our land healthy without their inputs.”

Read the full article here.

Support these farms and businesses!

Last Saturday evening we had 160 people attend the Butcher’s Dinner and Barn Dance at Medicine Creek Farm outside Finlayson. People from all walks of life, of various political persuasions and religions, both urban and rural, gathered around tables and found common ground, proclaiming the weather perfect and the food delicious.

This was truly a community event in every sense of the word, and we would like to give a huge thank you to the local businesses and farms who helped make it a success! Our generous business sponsors included T. Stanway Carpentry (Finlayson), Twin Pines Veterinary Clinic, P.A.. (Askov/Hinckley), Moose Lake Brewing Company (Moose Lake), Nemadjii (Bruno), Compeer Financial (Duluth), and Lake Haven Meats (Sturgeon Lake).

Our amazing organizational supporters included the Pine County Soil and Water Conservation District, Peace Lutheran Church (Finlayson), the 210 Gallery & Art Center (Sandstone), Climate Land Leaders, the Land Stewardship Project, Minnesota Farmers Union, the Sustainable Farming Association, and Renewing the Countryside.

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We were also pleased to be able to offer support back to so many amazing farms and food producers in our area through purchasing for the meal. We sourced pork from Y-Ker Acres (Carlton), plums from Stone Creek Farm (Taylor’s Falls), honey from Uncle Herman's Farm (Finlayson), cheese from Red Cottage Farm (Finlayson) and Shepherd's Way Farms (Nerstrand), arugula and herbs from Abraham's Table Farm (Sandstone), lettuce from the Trapp Farm at Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center (Sandstone), sweet corn from Ernie’s Ears (Askov), potatoes and herbs from Rising Phoenix Community Farm (Barnum), bread from Laune Bread, apple cider from Maple Run Orchard (Finlayson), and hard ciders from Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery (Mora).

Additionally, our farmers market at the event featured even more local producers including wool crafting kits from Ewe Betcha Market (Hinckley), wild caught Alaskan salmon from Great Northern Seafoods (Barnum), mushrooms and baked goods from The Gothic Farmstead (Pine City), herbal tallow balms from Birth of Venus Botanicals (Finlayson), and beeswax candles and herb salts from Heirloomista (North Branch).

We also couldn’t have pulled off the event without the invaluable processing, cooking, catering, and bartending work of Denham Run Bar & Grill (Denham), Baptism River Barbecue Co. (Beaver Bay), Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar (Duluth), the Libation Project, Crank & Dasher Ice Cream (Duluth), Lowry Hill Provisions (Minneapolis), Lake Haven Meats (Sturgeon Lake), and of course our namesake butcher, Brian Merkel aka @Merkelations (Duluth).

And a shout-out to Paul’s Portables and the Finlayson-Giese Lions Club Community Center for providing rentals to our local community.

There are so many great farms and food businesses in Minnesota and our region, and so many of them you can buy from directly! We hope you’ll discover new products, meet new farmers and chefs, make a new community connection, and support these businesses and organizations too!

Tickets now on sale for the 2025 Butcher's Dinner & Barn Dance!

Join the farmers, butchers, and chefs of Medicine Creek Farm, Yker Acres, Baptism River Barbecue and Denham Run Bar & Grill for a full-fledged farm-to-table community event!

4pm Regenerative Farm Tour
5pm Cocktail Hour & Market
6pm Butcher’s Dinner
7-10pm Barn Dance featuring Heartbreak Affair

Regenerative Farm Tour

An afternoon of learning and fun will start with an immersive soil health talk and regenerative farm tour. You will traverse the pastures to meet the cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens of Medicine Creek Farm while learning about rotational grazing practices, beneficial microbes, carbon sequestration, and livestock guardian dogs.

Farmers Market & Cocktail Hour

Following the tour we'll have a farmers market featuring the wares and products of local farmers such as beeswax candles, tallow lotions, soaps, herb salts and teas, wool crafts, fruits and vegetables, and cottage foods. Grab a cocktail featuring locally sourced beverages while enjoying the bucolic scenery. Kids activities and games will keep the little ones busy while you chat with area farmers and shop for goods. 

Vendors include:
Uncle Herman's Farm
The Gothic Farmstead
Heirloomista
Stone Creek Farm
Ewe Betcha Market
Birth of Venus Botanicals
Yarrow Bone Farmstead
The Land Stewardship Project
and more!

A cash bar will feature cocktails and wine curated by the Libation Project from local and natural producers with non-alcoholic options available. Beer with support from our friends at Moose Lake Brewing and cider from Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery.

Butcher's Dinner

Settle into a rustic dinner featuring pulled pork, barbecued lamb, Laune Bread, Jersey-cow cheese, herbaceous condiments, and organic salads and sides. 

Prepared in collaboration with Y-ker Acres butcher Brian Merkel, Baptism River's barbecue master, and Denham Run Bar & Grill's excellent chef with locally-sourced ingredients from:

Medicine Creek Farm
Y-ker Acres
Abraham's Table Farm
Rising Phoenix Community Farm
Food Farm
Shepherd's Way Farms 
and more!

Barn Dance

Following dinner, the hayloft will be hopping with the two-stepping sounds of classic country band Heartbreak Affair as we revive the tradition of the old-fashioned barn dance. A cash bar will be available throughout the dance.

Sponsors

Many thanks to our generous community sponsors! 

Pine County Soil and Water Conservation District
T Stanway Carpentry
Twin Pines Veterinary Clinic
Compeer Financial
Climate Land Leaders
Moose Lake Brewing
Oak Lake Farm
210 Gallery and Art Center

Other Food Festivals!

This event has been organized in collaboration with a project through Renewing the Countryside, the Sustainable Farming Association, and the Minnesota Farmers Union to promote and expand agritourism opportunities through local on-farm events.

Check out all the cool events at www.onfarmfoodevents.org!

SAVE THE DATE FOR SEPT. 13TH!

The Butcher’s Dinner and Barn Dance is returning this year on Saturday, Sept. 13th! Save the date and sign up for the email newsletter to be the first to hear when tickets go on sale!

Here are some photos from last year’s event!

Leopold Conservation Award Finalist

Medicine Creek Farm was honored to be among four finalists for the inaugural Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award®.

Leopold Conservation Awards honor farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water resources and wildlife habitat on working land. 

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold advocated for "a land ethic," an ethical relationship between people and the land they manage. 

The Leopold Conservation Award program widely shares the stories of conservation-minded farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to inspire other landowners to embrace opportunities to improve soil health, water resources and wildlife habitat on their working land. The award builds bridges between agriculture, government, environmental organizations, industry and academia to advance the cause of environmental improvement on private land. 

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards in 28 states.

We were honored to be nominated and considered alongside such esteemed and wonderful farms! More details on the other finalists can be found on the Sand County Foundation website here.

2024 Butcher's Dinner and Barn Dance!

Join the farmers, butchers, and chefs of Medicine Creek Farm, Yker Acres, and Baptism River Barbecue for a full-fledged farm-to-table community event!

4pm Regenerative Farm Tour
5pm Cocktail Hour & Market
6pm Butcher’s Dinner
7-10pm Barn Dance featuring Heartbreak Affair

Regenerative Farm Tour

An afternoon of learning and fun will start with an immersive soil health talk and regenerative farm tour. You will traverse the pastures to meet the cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens of Medicine Creek Farm while learning about rotational grazing practices, beneficial microbes, carbon sequestration, and livestock guardian dogs.

Farmers Market & Cocktail Hour

Following the tour we'll have a farmers market featuring the wares and products of local farmers such as beeswax candles, tallow lotions, herb salts and teas, wool crafts, apple cider, produce, and cottage foods. Grab a cocktail featuring locally sourced beverages while enjoying the bucolic scenery. Kids activities and games will keep the little ones busy while you chat with area farmers and shop for goods. 

Butcher's Dinner

Settle into a rustic dinner featuring pulled pork, barbecued lamb, farmstead brick oven bread, cheese and Jersey-cow butter, herbaceous condiments, and organic salads and sides. Prepared in collaboration with Y-ker Acres butcher Brian Merkel and Baptism River Barbecue Co with locally-sourced ingredients. A cash bar with full drink service will feature drinks and wine from local and natural producers with non-alcoholic options available.

Barn Dance

Following dinner, the hayloft will be hopping with the two-stepping sounds of classic country band Heartbreak Affair as we revive the tradition of the old-fashioned barn dance. A cash bar will be available throughout the dance.

More details and FAQs can be found on the ticketing website!

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This event has been organized in collaboration with a project through Renewing the Countryside, the Sustainable Farming Association, and the Minnesota Farmers Union to promote and expand agritourism opportunities through local on-farm events.

Check out all the cool events at www.onfarmfoodevents.org!

"To Be A Good Home" Short Film

I was beyond honored to be featured in Evan Flom’s beautiful short film “To Be a Good Home” alongside my friends Starr and Kaitlyn.

This is a story about a place. It’s a story about growing, connecting, and caring. This is a story about soil, water, and land.

To Be A Good Home follows three women farming and stewarding the land in northern Minnesota. One is a direct descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, tending her plot at the place of the gardens, Gitigaaning. One is an urban farmer, feeding her neighborhood near the shores of Lake Superior, Gichigami. One is a regenerative farmer and rancher, caring for her herd and building the soil with them.

To Be A Good Home features Starr Brainard of Saltless Sea Urban Farm, Hannah Bernhardt of Medicine Creek Farm, and Kaitlyn Walsh of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

This project was made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Check out more of Evan’s work here.

Minnesota Bound Feature

We were thrilled to be featured on an episode of Minnesota Bound about soil health and water quality! Our segment starts at the 14:30 minute mark. Can’t thank producer Kyle Heidenreich enough for telling the story of regenerative agriculture so clearly and compellingly!

Seeking Part-Time Grazing Apprentice

Medicine Creek Farm is seeking a part-time regenerative grazing apprentice for the 2024 summer season!

We are partnering with the Women, Food & Agriculture Network’s Harvesting Our Potential Program to offer an apprenticeship/mentoring program alongside part-time paid employment.

We are hoping to find someone available for 20 hours/week for 10-14 weeks between June and September.

This might look like 4 hours/week for 5 days a week, including 1 weekend a month; however, we can be flexible with your schedule to a certain degree. If you’re interested but have other things on your plate (days you can’t work, fewer hours available, scheduled vacations), go ahead and apply and we can discuss how we might make it work.

Pay will range between $12-14/hour depending on experience, plus a $750 stipend from WFAN upon successful completion of the program.

Meals will be included and on-farm housing may be available — let’s talk about your needs!

Tasks may include:

• Putting up and taking down a lot of temporary electric fence

• Moving sheep, cattle, and pigs between paddocks

• Filling pig feeders by hand with 5 gallon buckets of organic feed

• Moving equipment (water tanks, hoses, mobile shade, mineral feeders) by hand and with a UTV

• Feeding, brushing, and caring for 6 livestock guardian dogs

• Herding sheep with a border collie puppy-in-training

• Livestock husbandry; treating sick or injured animals

• Interacting with customers through agritourism; giving tours, making on-farm sales

• Garden watering, weeding, planting & harvesting should you be interested

Educational topics covered:

• soil health principles - water infiltration, soil tests, mineral profile

• adaptive grazing - principles in action, plant identification, livestock nutrition

• shepherding basics - parasites, common illnesses, veterinary care, herding dogs

• cattle health basics - parasites, common illnesses, veterinary care, low-stress handling

• pig health basics - parasites, common illnesses, veterinary care, non-ruminant management

• ecosystem health basics - insect and wildlife indicators, pasture diversity, birds, pollinators & predators

• livestock guardian dog management - veterinary care, pack dynamics, breed differences, training

• business management - record keeping, taxes, cash flow, business plans

• direct marketing basics - selling pastured products, website and sales, e-commerce, social media

• harvest basics - sorting & loading, working with a butcher, custom vs USDA considerations, regulations

• programs & grants - navigating beginning farmer resources (FSA, NRCS, SFA, LSP, MFU, FACT, WFAN…)

• agritourism - quality of life considerations, education, community building

Benefits:

• pastoral beauty

• bird song

• starry nights

• dog love

• eating like a King

Things to consider:

• you can’t control animals (they don’t always do what you want them to do)

• you can’t control the weather (it will be hot, it will be cold, it might be wet, it might be dry)

• there will be poop on your clothes (and you might get it on your hands)

• there will be uncertainty

• what is certain is that everything dies, eventually

How to apply:

Everybody is more than welcome to apply; we include every body in everybody.

Please poke around our website first to make sure you know what we’re up to here at Medicine Creek Farm. Also read Hannah’s mentor bio on the WFAN website to see if you like our style.

Then, please send an informal email introducing yourself and your interest in the position at hannah@medicinecreekfarm.com. No need for a cover letter; resumes are nice but only if you have it ready to go. Don’t stress about this part.

If it seems like a potential fit, we will ask you to fill out WFAN’s online application. WFAN will schedule a brief interview to explain how their program works. Don’t stress about this part either.

Then we’ll talk specifics about whether it’s going to work for both of us. This will also be informal so let’s just not stress.

If it’s not the right fit this time around, please try to come sometime for a Saturday morning tour and stay in touch. Who knows what the future might bring!

Edible Minnesota: Creating Connection Through On-Farm Experiences

The Spring 2024 issue of Edible Minnesota showcased a number of cool agritourism experiences, including our own Farm Stay and tours! We love being featured alongside pizza farms, farm-to-table dinners, goat yoga, and more.

Explore Minnesota Article

Our new Timber Frame Barn Stay on Hipcamp was featured in an Explore Minnesota “Trip on a Tankful” article! Check it out and consider a visit to explore the area yourself!

https://www.exploreminnesota.com/article/hunt-agates-hinckleys-most-iconic-pastry-way-to-moose-lake

Annual Farm Party, Potluck & Barn Dance

This year we will be returning to holding our “potluck of epic proportions.” If you’ve never been to a potluck attended solely by foodies and quality food admirers, then you’re missing out!

Bring a dish to share, your own beverage of choice, and blankets or chairs for picnicking. If you can remember to bring your own dinnerware as well, that would help us cut down on single-use waste!

Jason’s band Heartbreak Affair will be playing in the barn hayloft again this year starting around 6pm.

Anyone wishing to stay over us welcome to camp in the yard or pastures.

Please RSVP to hannah@medicinecreekfarm.com and let us know if you have any questions. Hope to see you soon!

Conservation Cookout and Live Music!

In partnership with the Pine County Soil and Water Conservation District , the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Program, and our local NRCS office, we will be hosting a conservation cookout and soil health field day on Friday, August 5th from 4-7pm.

We’ll be giving a tour of the farm followed by serving beef and lamb burgers and breakout sessions for those interested in going more in-depth.

Be sure to stick around as Jason’s band A Heartbreak Affair will be playing live music in the barn afterwards starting at 7pm!

Please RSVP to grace.guyette@co.pine.mn.us

PFI Farminar: Online Marketing for Pastured Products

As proud members of the Practical Farmers of Iowa (we know we don’t live there but we just love those Iowa farmers), I was excited to give a Farminar presentation on the topic of Online Marketing for Pastured Products. I know from first hand experience how busy farmers are, so I try to give some practical advice on quick and easy ways to improve your online presence and help you prioritize the marketing time you do have. You can watch the recorded webinar on the PFI YouTube page and feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

Ear to the Ground Podcast and Profile Feature

Early in our farming career, Jason and I participated in the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings Program. Five years into farmland ownership, the Land Stewardship Project caught back up with us on how things were going and where we’ve arrived in our farming journey. Check out the LSP “Ear to the Ground” podcast for an audio version of the interview, or read the profile feature from the Summer Issue of the Land Stewardship Letter.

Farm Party featuring Heartbreak Affair

After much hemming and hawing we’ve decided to move forward with our farm party this year. Burgers will be served outside starting at 5pm; bring your own sides and beverages, dishes and utensils, and blankets or chairs for picnicking. Jason’s band Heartbreak Affair will be christening the new barn hayloft event space at 6pm, but will be able to be heard from outside for those uncomfortable indoors. Anyone wishing to stay over is welcome to camp in the yard or pastures. Please RSVP to hannah@medicinecreekfarm.com and let us know if you have any questions!

Introducing the Vintage Remodeled Camper Trailer on Hipcamp!

We’ve had quite the secluded year here at the farm. Early in the pandemic, Jason used his extra free time to completely gut and remodel our 1969 camper trailer. As you can see, it’s incredibly gorgeous, and despite our reluctance to leave our pandemic cocoon, we’re finally ready to share it with the outside world.⁣⁣

Our daily lives here at the farm didn’t really change much last year, other than to see you all less. As always, the sun shone, the grass grew, animals were fed and watered, and we ate well.⁣⁣

If you’re looking to get out of whatever coop you’ve been kept in, maybe pet some enormous dogs, and eat well under the stars, we’re happy to help. We may have gone a little feral, but if you can forgive our rusty social skills we’d love to have you here.⁣

Check out our Hipcamp listing here for more details and to book your stay!