I started my business as a Cottage Food Producer, registering with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in 2018. Cottage Foods are homemade food products that meet specific guidelines. I make and sell canned goods, baked goods, and fruit leather. My latest obsession is making fruit filled hand pies - thank you Ely Folk School for teaching so many awesome classes!
In 2021, I added fresh produce (raised without any pesticides) and chicken eggs from organic fed hens. I also sell sewn items and photography. In the winter months, I’ve offered minor clothing repair, from hemming pants to sewing letters on our local fire department’s jackets. I started sewing in 2018 when I found out I was going to be a Step-Nana and wanted to learn to make a quilt. My grandkiddos call me “Nana Chicken”.
In 2022, I was approved to accept SNAP EBT as a Direct Market Farmer (DMF). It was quite the process, but definitely worth it to increase food access in my community. In 2023, I offered spring and fall “pop-up” shares (see my spring share below). It was a great way to test the waters for a CSA (which is part of my long term plan). My shares are unique because I combine produce, baked goods, and chicken eggs. They are so fun to put together! I plan to offer them again in 2024.
Cottage foods intended for human consumption are not allowed to be shipped in the mail or by commercial delivery so I sell my products from the homestead, at local markets, and the Embarrass Region Fair. I work full time in Virginia, MN so I often meet customers in town to pick up their products.
Our homestead in Embarrass is my absolute favorite place to be. My hubby and I share these beautiful 40 acres with our chickens, Storm our 10 year old spunky, black lab girl we adopted in 2022, and all of the amazing wildlife that also call this place home.
If you would like to order Available Products, learn more about homestead shares, or sign up for my homestead blog, be sure to check out the Contact page. I will also update my Events page as the season goes on.