If Farm Aid’s stage is the heart of Farm Aid, the HOMEGROWN Village is the hands!
In the HOMEGROWN Village, festivalgoers will explore interactive exhibits and activities that engage all of their senses. Food and farm groups from across the country showcase exhibits about soil, water, energy, food and farming through art, games, and hands-on activities. In the HOMEGROWN Skills area, festivalgoers attend skillshares and demonstrations, celebrate the culture of agriculture and go home with new skills. Farmers, farm activists and festivalgoers come together in the FarmYard to meet and share stories. On the FarmYard Stage farmers and concert artists discuss urgent issues.
Hours of Operation
The HOMEGROWN Village will be open from noon until 5pm. Be sure to arrive early enough to check it out!
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Eat Your ZipcodePowering the FarmThe Fertile GroundExplore the Midwest’s Farm & Food Systems Yes To Farmers, No To Factories Farmer Wellness Stand-Alone Exhibits Art in the Village Cambria Club ExhibitsAdvocacy Action CenterThe HOMEGROWN Skills TentThe FarmYard Stage
HOMEGROWN Village
What does local food mean to you? What can we build to help us all eat closer to home and support family farmers in our area? How are you growing a strong, local Good Food Movement in your region?
New To You Crops!
Presented by The Food Group Minnesota
Think you know all your fruits and vegetables? Think again! Come learn to recognize and even cook with crops you may have never heard of, that are being grown right here in Minnesota!
Getting Into Character – Farmers Market Character
Presented by the Community Farm Alliance
Sure you love your local farmers market but how much do you really know about how it works, and why farmers chose this type of market to sell their products? Join Community Farm Alliance in getting into character as either a farmer or customer at a farmers market to learn all about what’s really going on at your local market.
What are the farm-based innovations, alternative energy sources, growing methods, and models will power us into the future?
Gullivers Farm Travels
Presented by the National Center of Appropriate Technology
You’re a giant taking a tour of a tiny farm! Guide a tractor through a farm to learn about different ways farms can generate energy and power, and build resilience into their system.
A POWERful Game of Trivia
Presented by the Rural Power Coalition
We know you’ve got an awesome trivia team back home! Come flex your trivia muscles at this exhibit all about Farm Aid artist trivia, rural power, weather events and more.
Clean soil and water are essential to life and to farming. Check out these exhibits to learn all about healthy soil, and flowing water. Find out the intricate relationships of water, soil, and agriculture, and maybe learn some things you can take home to your farm, garden, or local community.
What’s In Your Water?
Presented by Family Farm Defenders
It may look clear (or not) but from nitrates to microplastics all kinds of things end up in our drinking water, and then inside of us. Join Family Farm Defenders to get a closer look at what you might be drinking, and learn what you can do to promote clean water.
Cover the Soil! Soil Health, Water Quality, Prosperity
Presented by Forever Green
See cover crops in action at this interactive exhibit with a rainfall simulator. Learn about the exciting work underway on a diverse set of harvestable and marketable cover crops that build soil health and water quality.
Science Rules
Presented by Minnesota Soil Health Coalition
Get up close and personal with soil using lab equipment to see what’s really going on in soil biology. Learn about the importance of various soil microbes and learn how to improve your soil health at home.
For Goodness Slake!
Presented by Sustainable Farming Association
Sure you’ve heard how great cover crops and organic practices are for the soil, but come see it for yourself. Watch this Slake test demonstration to see how organic soil interacts differently with the water than conventionally tilled soil.
Turn on the (Grow) Tube My Show’s On
Presented by Marbleseed
Cover Crops are ready for their close up in this exhibit! Where you can check out grow tubes with real plants doing their thing, and learn all about how these wonderful specimens protect and nourish the very substrate they are planted in.
Ocean Friendly Farming
Presented by Inland Ocean Coalition
Check out this interactive model of the watershed, test your knowledge of ocean-friendly agricultural practices, and learn about ocean friendly farmers.
Defying Gravity (Erosion)
Presented by West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition
This exhibit puts erosion on blast by showing how healthy soil can prevent soil erosion, and nutrient run off! Learn how to maintain a healthy foundation on your land with this gravity defying exhibit.
What It Takes To Farm
Presented by Farmhand Foundation
Stop by this exhibit to learn all about the mental and physical challenges of farming. Try out some physical farm hand exercises, learn about compost, and healthy soil!
Put A Bird On It
Presented by the Wild Farm Alliance
Did you know that Tree Swallows can eat thousands of insects in one season? Birds can be a critical help in on-farm pest management, learn what types of pests, and habitat specific bird species favor to understand how to cultivate a relationship with these feathered friends.
Explore the Midwest’s Farm & Food Systems
Check out this friendly group of Midwest focused exhibits and learn all about innovations and agricultural challenges happening in the heart of our country – the Midwest!
Farmers Share of the Food Dollar!
Presented by Minnesota Farmers Union
Test your knowledge of the farmers’ share of the food dollar in this interactive display and learn how to keep more money in the hands of farmers and local communities.
Toss, Spin, and Deal for Farm Viability
Presented by Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)
Have fun and learn too. Play bags, cards, and spin the wheel to show how challenging farming is, and how so many variables can impact a farms’ viability.
Breaking Down Barriers – KAPOW
Presented by the Land Stewardship Project
Toss a bag, throw a ring, and watch as the game gets more difficult the more you play as barriers keep popping up blocking your path. Keep your feet fast, and your eyes looking ahead as you engage with this fun and informative exhibit.
A Pressing Topic
Presented by the Dakota Rural Action
Appreciate the beauty of the land, while learning about land access, and local food economics. Create a button with pressed flowers with Dakota Rural Action.
Tap Your Toes and Celebrate Farming!
Presented by the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance
True regeneration stems from a sense of relation and connection to ourselves, each other, and the world around us. Talking with the folks at Regenerative Ag Alliance will show you what interconnected regenerative farming looks like, and bring you into the dance!
An Expression of Gratitude
Presented by the American Farmland Trust
Add your voice to a gratitude board, share all that you appreciate about farmers. Also learn some grim realities of farm land loss with the Farms Under Threat 2040 mapping tool.
Farmers are the backbone of America’s food system and our economy, but many farmers find themselves trapped in punishing factory farm systems, and getting pushed out of business by corporate consolidation. Learn more about these systems, what’s being done to support farmers, and how you can participate.
Tap the Source – Of Pollution
Presented by Socially Responsible Agriculture Project
Curious to know more about the waterways around where you live, and how they are impacted by factory farms? Stop by SRAP’s exhibit to check out their large map of the United States that shows the waterways and the locations of factory farms.
The Tipping Point for Clean Water
Presented by Dakota Resource Council
How big is too big for a CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) before it starts to impact the local drinking water, and puts smaller farms out of business? Check out this activity that illustrates how the bigger the livestock operation the more heavily it weighs on the resources of the community it’s in and near.
Factory Farm Nation
Presented by the Food & Water Watch
Learn about the realities of corporate consolidation in the agriculture system. Discover how consolidation impacts consumers, farmers, and the environment, and what we can do to fight back.
The Maddest Cow Stand & Take Action Center
Presented by Local Roots Strategies
Check out this engaging and dynamic display where you can learn about the way the factory farm system treats farmers unfairly, and take a moment to write a letter to your legislators.
Label This
Presented by the ASPCA
Labels can be deceiving, come see if you can tell what the labels on your food really mean. Rank labels from best to worst and see where your favorite grocery stores rank. You can also send a postcard to your representative.
Spin the Wheel of Transfarmation
Presented by the Transfarmation Project
Spin the wheel to play a mini game and learn various ways that farmers can transition into a different type of farming and the barriers they face in that transition.
Farmer Wellness
What does it take to be a farmer? Farmers are resilient, and carry many roles from business operators to land stewards. While it’s rewarding work, it can be a lonely and challenging job. Stop by these exhibits to learn about farm stress, and get a chance to thank a farmer.
Self Care Corner
Presented by the WRASAP and North Central FRSAN
Relax with a sensory seed exhibit hosted by WRASAP. Discover the faces and stories of North Central farmers, learn stories of resilience, grit, challenges, and celebration.
Pick-Me-Up Post Cards
Presented by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Everyone needs support from their community, especially farmers who work so hard to feed our county. Uplift a farmer by writing them a postcard expressing your thanks, and letting them know their work does not go unnoticed.
Stand-Alone Exhibits
Find these exhibits sprinkled throughout the Village, and along the concourse. You can learn about food labels, share a recipe, and make your own print with these organizations.
Leave A Print for Local Food
Presented by Renewing the Countryside
Drop by this exhibit to make your own letterpress print from designs created by Minnesota artists! You’ll also get to participate in local food bingo and learn about food in the region!
Decode Your Food
Presented by Environmental Working Group
This exhibit is located on the concourse ramp, be sure to check out the exhibit and scan the QR codes to learn what the labels on your food mean, it’s not always what they seem!
Community Recipe Board
Presented by RAFI
We all know well that food is powerful, it can bring us together and is a key part of many important memories of friends and family. Join in the community of Farm Aid and share a favorite recipe or food memory at RAFI’s recipe board.
Farming With A Disability
Presented by the National AgrAbility Project
Farmers are Everyone, at this display you can explore how adaptive devices help farmers accomplish their goals, and learn about the diversity of farmers in our nation. AgrAbility will be demonstrating technology and advances to help farmers with disabilities continue in “Powering the Farm” into the future.
Register to Vote!
Presented by HeadCount
Get registered to vote today! HeadCount is a non-partisan non-profit organization that harnesses the power of music, culture and digital media to register voters and inspire participation in democracy.
Art in the Village
Crop Art
Presented by Marta Shore
Celebrate the Farm Aid board members in the most Minnesota way possible through crop art! Join Minnesota crop artists at this exhibit and add a seed to the album covers of your favorite board artists.
Cambria Club Exhibits
If you’re in the Cambria Club, check out these exhibits and games to test and expand your knowledge.
Spin the Wheel on Meat Processing
Presented by Flowerhill Institute
If you’re looking to chat about diversified meat and poultry processing systems, this is the spin the wheel for you! Stop by this booth to learn everything you ever wanted to know about meat processing, and things being done to improve supply chains for farmers and ranchers!
What is Farm Resilience for 400, Alex?
Presented by the Rural Coalition
If you’ve always wanted to show off your vast food systems knowledge now is your chance! Come play Small Farm Jeopardy with Rural Coalition’s and learn how small producers can themselves avoid being in jeopardy.
Our Food Is Sacred
Presented by the AIM Interpretive Center/Wicoie Nandagikendan
Wild Rice is an important crop to many indigenous people, if you’ve always wanted to learn about the significance of wild rice, how it’s grown and harvested, and how it looks different from other rice you might be familiar with stop by this exhibit.
Speaking Practically
Presented by the Practical Farmers of Iowa
Curious to learn about the power of farmer peer networks? Stop by this table and speak with engaging experts on topics as broad ranging as a cow on a regenerative farm.
The Three ‘F’s – Fiber, Food, Forest
Presented by the Croatan Institute
Resilience food, fiber, and forest systems are possible – build community and soil wealth with us by unearthing effective financial moves for just, equitable futures.
A Little Grain-y
Presented by Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
Have you ever wondered what your classic chocolate chip would taste like made with different types of grains? You’re in luck! You can taste cookies buckwheat, kernza, and whole wheat cookies and participate in research at this delicious exhibit!
Udderly Awesome Local Food Trivia
Presented by Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
Come take your photo as a cow! Stay for a while to test your knowledge of food laws, and learn about the challenging regulations small food producers most often face. You’ll also learn about solutions that can help producers better navigate the laws and more easily get their products to their customers.
Tales from a Farmer
Presented by Local Roots Strategies
Pick up the phone and hear a farmers story as told by themselves! At this exhibit the farmers will speak for themselves via a phone wall, all you have to do is pick it up and listen.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it certainly doesn’t happen alone. Policy is a powerful tool to shift the food systems and agricultural practices in our country. It starts with getting informed, learning about the issues, learning about how to add your voice to the conversation, it can start today in the HOMEGROWN Village at the Advocacy Action Center!
Get a Bills-eye with the Action Center!
Presented by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and FarmSTAND
Join NSAC and FarmSTAND in the HOMEGROWN Village and show off your dart throwing skills to learn about agriculture policy, and take the opportunity to apply what you learn in a letter to your Representative.
The HOMEGROWN Skills Tent promises to be chock full of learning and fun! Participate in workshops and demonstrations to learn new skills.
Skills Tent Demonstrations
1:00pm — To Bee or Not to Bee: Beekeeping 101
Presented by Jessica Helgen of University of MN Bee Squad
Find out what it takes to become a backyard beekeeper. Experienced beekeepers from the UMN Bee Lab will give an overview of the skills and equipment needed to get started. Find the queen bee in the observation hive, try your hand at pollinator trivia and sample delicious local honey. Come see what the buzz is all about!
2:00pm — IndigePOP! Popcorn as Medicine 101
Presented by Linda and Luke Black Elk from NATIFS
Discover the many Indigenous varieties of maize with a focus on nutritious and resilient popcorn varieties such as Dakota Black, Lakota Yellow and Cochiti Pueblo. Then make your popcorn extra tasty and healthy with an all-Indigenous spice blend topping. Ethnobotanist Linda Black Elk and Farm Director Luke Black Elk will provide information about the health benefits and medicinal uses of each herb in this spice blend.
3:00pm — If I had a Hammer: Flower-Pounding 101
Presented by Maddy Bartsch Salt of the North/Get Bentz Farm (Read our Farmer Hero profile here)
Find out how farmers grow natural dyes as a specialty crop in Minnesota and learn a simple technique to dye fabric at home: flower pounding! Using a hammer, this demo will show you how to pound flowers and leaves onto fabric to release pigment and create imprints of the plant material. Create an organic cotton flower-pounded patch to take home.
3:30pm — Fantastic Ferments: Fermentation 101
Presented by Charlie Zieke of Magic Acre Farm
Fermentation is one of the oldest and safest food preservation techniques. With some simple materials and knowledge we can harness this natural, transformative process to create something delicious, funky and nourishing. Come learn the magic of microbes and begin preserving your own krauts, pickles and other lacto-fermented goods!
4:00pm — A Fruitful Future: Seed-Saving 101
Presented by Neely Snyder of Dream of Wild Health
If you love your current crops, learn how to gather their seeds and grow them again next season. Using a winter squash, Dream of Wild Health will demonstrate how to not only save the seeds, but also how to make a tasty squash dish.
All Day Activities
Farm Aid 40 Seed Swap
Facilitated by Reana Kim from Share a Seed and Black Rabbit Apothecary
Farmers and gardeners: Bring seeds from home and come on down to the HOMEGROWN Skills Tent for our annual seed share. Even if you don’t have anything to swap, we’re providing seeds for herbs and healing flowers as well as root veggies. Come meet enthusiastic seed savers, share some of your own seeds and go home with new varieties to try! If you’re bringing seeds, please keep them domestic, in a sealed envelope and labeled.
On the FarmYard Stage, farmers and artists will discuss pressing issues and share inspiring stories showcasing food and farming in the region and across the country.
1:30pm — Value-Added Farm Businesses: From Farm to Everywhere!
Host: Tomas Harmon
Farmers: Jim Kleinschmit, Other Half Processing, CEO and farmer, MN and Kriss Marion, farmer and executive director of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (WI)
Advocate: Erika Camplin, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Food Business Development, MN
Artist: Nathaniel Rateliff
Description: Value-added agriculture involves transforming raw farm products into new products or services. Hear about how value-added agriculture increases their monetary value and creates additional income streams for producers.
2:30 PM: Climate and Conservation in Minnesota
Host: Tomas Harmon
Farmer: Keanue Driscoll-che, Frogtown Farm
Advocate: Rep. Kristi Pursell (DFL) District: 58A, Minnesota House of Representatives
Artist: Margo Price
Description: Farmers see the impacts of climate change firsthand. They are also one of the best solutions we have for slowing the impacts of unpredictable weather patterns. Rising temperatures, extreme storms and shifting ecosystems pose a threat to Minnesota agriculture. Learn more about how farm leaders are working to mitigate climate change.
3:30 PM: Corporate Power in Agriculture
Host: Tomas Harmon
Farmer: Stephanie Miranowski, North Dakota Farmer
Advocate: Paul Sobocinski, Minnesota Farmers Union Bottleneck Project, Project Manager
Artist: Jesse Welles
Description: A handful of corporations control our food from farm to fork, allowing them to manipulate the marketplace, pushing down the prices paid to family farmers and driving them out of business. Hear more about how corporate power impacts the food you eat and how you can stand up against this consolidation!
4:30 PM – Emerging Farmers (Against the Grain podcast)
Host: Michael Foley and Jessica Kurn
Farmer: Amanda Koehler, Maple Urban Farm
Advocate: Lisa Bellanger (Ojibwe), 3 Fires/AIM Interpretive Center, Executive Director
Artist: Madeline Edwards
Description: This panel will be recorded for Farm Aid’s Against the Grain podcast. The discussion will spotlight emerging farmers who are building their operations in the face of steep challenges, from accessing affordable land and capital to navigating climate pressures and market barriers. Listeners will hear how these farmers draw on resilience and farmer resource networks to establish themselves and grow their businesses.
Learn more about the Farm Aid festival
