The history of Earthworks Gardens and me!

The concept of the flower/veg/herb farm was dreamt up long ago. I love horticulture, working with plants, cutting flowers, picking vegetables.....all of it. My farm, Earthworks Gardens, is the kind of place I was always trying to find to tour, take a day trip to. But where was such a place?
I drove 2 hrs. once to see a promising place that was filled with raised beds of nothing. I have toured some nice places, but they never captured the family farm feel I was looking for. Not saying they aren't out there, I have just not found them! So, as the saying goes, sometimes you just got to do it yourself. So I did. And so began the birth of Earthworks Gardens, a place of flowering and ornamental shrubs, mature plants so you can see how they will be in your garden, plants dug from our field so you know they can endure the winter. Vegetables that are 'Certified Naturally Grown.' It's interesting how many 'growers' claim to be organic. After a brief discussion with them, it is usually clear they don't know the first thing about the principles and practices of organic growing. Our farm is layed out in 5 sections, each about 100 ft. by 400 ft.
Every year we have planted a section or more, getting ready for this year. So right now we have our 10 acres planted full. This year has been loaded with a lot of 'firsts' as we had our first iris open house for 4 wks, first year at the Mankato Farmers Market, first year having any full time workers besides Frank and I, first year running the market from the field, and the list goes on.
My learning curve has not been to bad. I had run a much larger 'Certified Organic' operation by Rochester for 6 yrs. Even though that was 20 yrs. ago, it's kinda like riding a bike. Even though my kids hated helping out, they did. But I know some of my son's fondest memories of his grandpa Dale, was selling with him at the markets. They were both full of it!!! As a child we only a garden one time at our house. Each kid got one of the 1 cent packs of seeds from Gurneys, a combo pack probably swept up off the floor. We planted the garden and forgot all about it until the neighbor lady told my mom how much she enjoyed eating the green beans! Both of my Grandmas loved gardening. One garden you could only look at, and my other grandma welcomed you into hers. Every photo was taken somewhere in the garden with the flowers blooming around you. Boy we hated that. My first garden as an adult I forgot all about it until my neighbor Bill told me he weeded the whole thing for me. So I really was a late 'bloomer' in the horticulture field. No doubt now, I love it! Anytime that we are open, you are welcome to take a walking tour throughout the field. We have allowed driving tours if there is a need, but please ask first. Several times already I see someone driving around out there wondering where did they come from? And finally, several people have asked about the name, Earthworks Gardens.
Well, I wanted a name I could grow anything under. If it was "Dianes Flowers" you wouldn't think you could get sweet corn here. Because we DO follow the the national organic policies, I wanted any earthy sounding name. Our mission is to provide healthy local produce grown with the highest level of organic methods. To provide you with great plant choices, field grown on here for at least one winter. To provide you with an opportunity to tour our field when ever we are open to learn more about growing plants, seeing the insects busy at work, (the good and bad) or simply enjoy the flowers. Stop by and visit us! Diane
p.s. I love dogs, have a few of my own, but....they are not allowed in the field.