Activities
All of our activities have grown out of the blending of our talents and our rural community’s needs. Each area needs leadership and skills but also offers a place where people of diverse abilities can take an active role. The activities give us an opportunity to learn in a welcoming place, to make a connection with the natural world and each other while experiencing how we contribute to the whole. Our activities are also self -sustaining, humanly and economically. Together, we run a Farm, Garden, Bakery, Processing Kitchen and Crafts Workshops as well as home making and social activities.
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Community Homestead we have a great love and respect for the land. We appreciate both its beauty and bounty and know that we have a responsibility to care for it as generations have done before us.
The farm has been here over a hundred years. Now it is a certified organic (MOSA), grade A dairy with a herd of about 80 beautiful Holsteins. We ship our milk to Organic Valley. We also run some Angus/Holstein cross beef cattle alongside and keep pigs and chickens. The Farmers Our farm team is a diverse group, incorporating experience, enthusiasm and dedication. The team helps to milk and do barn chores, takes care of the cows, pigs and chickens, works out in the fields fencing, clearing, and maintains the buildings and machinery. There is plenty of healthy work, and room to breathe, in this place where our patience, reliability, strength and kindness is valued. Farming Methods Community Homestead now farms about 500 acres of land. We own 240 and rent the rest. MOSA organically certified, we balance traditional, natural, organic, methods to produce healthy animals and crops. We practice rotational grazing, and natural pest and weed control such as cover crops and timely cultivation. All the animals have plenty of outdoor space for pasture and exercise and are tended with care by the community members. The manure from the animals is used in the garden and on the fields, often in composted form, as part of a balanced and sustainable nutrient cycle. Farm Products Our beef, and pork is available through the CSA. We also sell direct from the farm. As we ship all our milk to Organic Valley, it is not available for direct purchase. |
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Our Organic Garden
The 17 acre garden and orchard is a place to grow and nourish, not only vegetables, fruits and flowers, but people too. Here is a safe and happy place to learn, to nurture, and to accomplish. Rhythm, reliability and self esteem are well rooted in the soil of the garden. The Gardeners Our gardeners work in teams to cultivate, harvest and prepare vegetables, herbs and flowers, most of which are sold through to 240 families involved in the CSA. Packing these weekly boxes is a highlight of a busy week for many but there is a place for everyone, from the most youthful and energetic, to the most delicate and retiring in our garden. Each one is found a place in the team where they can learn, contribute and enjoy daily life. What better place to be in the Summer than a bed of green lettuces or a forest of delphiniums, accompanied by friends and sights, sounds and smells of nature? Produce for sale All our produce is certified organic. Apart from the CSA, we sell at Osceola Farmer’s Market, Stillwater Farmer's Market, Franconia Farmers Market and supply People Loving People in Dresser with fresh vegetables.. |
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Our certified bakery kitchen is a bright sunny place. Together ten bakers make ten different varieties of yeast based and sough dough bread, twelve varieties of cookies, pies from our organic fruit, and muesli. Not only do we create something wonderful (a therapy in itself) the bakery incorporates real-life therapeutic opportunities; dexterity, strength, stamina, measuring, following instructions, rhythm, team work, and sequencing without dwelling upon disability
Buying our products We sell through the CSA, Crystal Ball Farm in Osceola and Fine Acres in St Croix Falls In the summer you can also find us: Fridays 2-6pm at Osceola Farmer’s Market, by the Methodist Church on River St. Saturdays 9-1pm at Stillwater Farmer’s Market by the courthouse. Every first Sunday of the month at Franconia Sculpture Park’s Market You can also order directly from us by calling (715) 294-3038 |
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In 2011, we established a certified processing commercial kitchen.
Busiest in the summer and fall, our team makes jam, pickles, and pies from our fresh picked vegetables and fruits. We make for our own table, and for yours too, using the best organic vinegar, sugar and spices to add to our garden and orchard grown produce. Available through the CSA, Osceola Farmer’s market and directly from Community Homestead. |
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When the summer is over, we are happy to retreat indoors to express and create in various ways, building inventory for the craft and art fairs we attend though the year. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute beauty to the world.
All of our crafts are therapeutic and balance skill development with positive social teamwork and a deep sense of satisfaction. Together, sharing talents and skill building, we make... Cards: unique designs, team- painted, screen-printed or stenciled. Candles: hand dipped from beeswax Books: little sketch pads, notebooks, and journals, with paper, hand-created and bound by our inclusive teams. Rugs and runners: braided from recycled T shirts and woven on our looms Candles: hand dipped from 100% beeswax Wreathes: evergreens for Christmas and winter, and some dried for nature's celebrations! Felting: from 100% raw wool, our team creates a world of gnomes, little bootees, framed art from our natural surroundings, and magical innocence for all. Fabric painting to create potholders, bags and other beautiful items Woodworking: to create kitchen ware, puzzles, and toys Pottery: to create kitchen ware, and other gifts |
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