fbmn.org Minnesota Farmers C are We’re taking a little break from harvesting our corn for a quick picnic supper. Some of our friends have asked us where we store our organic corn, soybeans and wheat crops after they are harvested. Our grain is stored in grain bins on our farm until we sell the crop. Once it is sold, it is brought by semi-truck to buyers in Minnesota, or the grain goes by rail car to the East Coast or the West Coast to feed animals on organic farms. Our family is proud to produce and sell honey locally. Our bees require a variety of care including feeding, hive checks, and even medication some times to make sure they are healthy. We often get asked if we are afraid that our bees will sting us. We wear protective clothing and headgear, and honey bees are actually quite friendly! We love having honeybees as part of our farm. We bottled around 70 lbs of honey in 2015. We make sure our hives are placed where there is access to water and a variety of pollen sources for the bees. Carolyn Olson Lyon County Organic Farming Animal Care One of the most exciting days on our farm is the day we welcome newly weaned pigs into our barns! I am showing my grandson how to assist the young pigs learn where their food is. Sometimes consumers think pigs should be raised outdoors because it is more natural. On our farm, we know the best care is given by housing them indoors. Minnesota weather can be difcult for livestock, and when they are housed indoors, we can shield them from weather extremes. We can also make sure they have clean water, clean air and fresh feed - all things necessary to raise a healthy pig. And if they are not feeling well, we can easily see and tend to those pigs. Sometimes that may mean giving them with antibiotics, but we only do that as a last resort, working with our veterinarian. But don’t worry, we follow strict withdrawal periods to ensure none of the antibiotics are in your food! Facebook: SweetCheeksHoneyMN Twitter: @swchhoney Instagram: @swchhoney Facebook: HewittFarms Blog: hewittfarmsinc.wordpress.com Sara Hewitt Le Sueur County Pollinators Facebook: CarolynCAREsBlog Twitter: @Westacre2CJ Instagram: @westacre Blog: www.carolyncaresblog.com Canning Tomato Soup! Learn How Here... Ruth and Paul Lanoue Lyon County 1 – 5 gallon pail tomatoes 10 medium carrots 12 medium onions 1 bunch celery Cook tomatoes and vegetables until soft and make into juice. Add the following to soup prior to boiling: 1/4 cup salt 1 Tbs baking soda 1 lb melted butter mixed with 2 cups our When boiling, add 1 cup brown sugar, then place in jars boiling. Learn more about canning at www.extension.umn. edu/food/food- safety/preserving/ canning/ Facebook: ruth.lanoue Twitter: @ruthlanoue Blog: www.familyfarm experience.blogspot.com Instagram: MNFarmLiving Pinterest: MNFarmLiving Facebook: www.facebook.com/minnesotafarmer Blog: www.mnfarmliving.com Twitter: @MinnFarmer Wanda Patsche Martin County Apricot Stuffed Pork Loin 3# boneless pork loin Apricot Stufng: 2 Tbsp butter 1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs (I use pumpernickel) 1/3 cup coarsely chopped apricots 2 tsp chopped thyme Salt and pepper 1 small onion, nely chopped 1 Tbsp chopped parsley 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 egg beaten Apricot stufng: Melt butter in saucepan, add onion and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat and add bread crumbs, apricots, parsley, lemon juice, thyme, egg, salt and pepper to taste. Let stufng cool completely. With knife, cut loin open horizontally. Spread stufng of the meat. Roll the meat around the stufng and tie at intervals with ne string. Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Put pork in roasting pan. Brush with olive oil and season generously with your choice of seasoning. Cook for 1 1/2 hours or until internal temperature is 145 degrees. Let stand for 3 minutes. Slice and serve! Are you looking for Minnesota farmers to answer your questions about food and what’s safe for your family? Stay in touch with these farmers online. Farmers and ranchers want you to know how they are raising their families on their farms and raising food for your family and theirs. Minnesota farmers and ranchers ensure safe food choices for Minnesota families. www.fbmn.org/pages/MN-Farmers-CARE Freezing Tips • A full freezer is more economical to run so the cold air doesn’t need to circulate as much. • Wrap foods to prevent freezer burn. • Store food in small amounts to freeze quicker and retain freshness (cupcake tins work well for individual servings!). • If in doubt, throw it out.