Farm Horizons Farm Horizons 8/16 | Page 25

Farm Horizons • Aug. 8, 2016 • Page 25 food they’d want to eat themtime, actually damages selves. the soil’s properties. The animals at TangleIt’s like a crutch.” town Gardens are also raised Year-round delights naturally, with no chemicals Although the farm is or hormones used. The mebusiest in the warmer nagerie includes Scottish – Dean Engelmann, co-owner of Tangletown Gardens months, Tangletown Highland beef cattle, HeriGardens doesn’t go tage hogs, Heritage turkeys, dormant in the winter. broiler chickens, several va“We’re able to provide year-round employment,” rieties of laying hens, and 300 to 400 meat ducks. Englemann said, explaining that low-heat greenhousMeat and eggs aren’t currently available through es produce salad greens and radishes in the winter, Tangletown’s CSA program, but they can be enjoyed and the farm preserves summer produce through canat Wise Acre Eatery in Minneapolis. ning and freezing. Balanced farming To learn more about Tangletown Gardens, call (612) From the ground up, ecological principles and land 822-4769, email [email protected], or go stewardship are paramount at Tangletown Gardens. to www.tangletowngardens.com. n “We continually strive to build healthier soil,” Engelmann said. “We aim to improve it, rather than deplete it.” One way they take care of the soil is by changing Horticulture celebration Sept. 24 the usage every four to five years. What was once a field becomes a pasture, and vice versa. In honor of the Minnesota State Horticulture Society’s 150th anniversary, a celebration will take place at Tangletown Strategic tilling techniques can also improve soil Gardens’ 100-acre farm in Plato Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 quality. a.m. to 3 p.m. “We use minimal tillage, so we only disturb the Children will receive a free pumpkin and have an top 2 inches of soil,” Engelmann said. “Tillage, over ‘The plants and animals take care of each other . . . We see our role as just the conductors of the orchestra.’ opportunity to see farm animals. Wagon tours of the farm and greenhouses will depart every hour, and visitors will enjoy hearing about organic growing methods used on the farm. Wise Acre Eatery will cater a picnic lunch, and the Minnesota State Horticulture Society will provide apples for snacks. The bluegrass band Skunk Hollow will entertain from noon to 3 p.m., and Neil Anderson, professor at the University of Minnesota, will speak about the horticulture society’s history. Registration for the event is now open. Party admission is $20 for horticulture society members, $25 for non-members, and $10 for children. To learn more, contact Brenda Harvieux at [phone] ext. 206 or email [email protected]. ALL WAYS RENTALS Mayer Lumber Co. IN BUSINESS SINCE 1938 Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Sat. 8 a.m. to 12 noon 201 Ash Ave. (Hwy. 25), Mayer, (952) 657- Portable Toilets Construction Sites Handwashing Units Party Tents Canopies Secure Fences Public/Private Events OSHA Approved Towing Units www.allways-rentals.com [email protected] 13424 53rd St. SW, Cokato, MN 55321 [phone] • [phone]