Summer is just around the corner and Iron Range farms and farmers markets are opening for the season. Whether you want fresh veggies and homemade bread and jam or an adventure on a farm, it’s all available right near where you live. You can find a complete directory of area farmers markets along with videos about those closest to the Range at www.arrowheadgrown.org.
The Virginia Market Square farmers market opens on Thursday June 16 and features entertainment every week through mid-October. The market is located on Silver Lake at West Chestnut Street at the old gun club. Produce, baked and canned goods, grass-fed beef and pork, pre-order chickens, soap, art, crafts, children’s activities, and regular programs by the Virginia Public Library all happen on Thursdays 2:30-6pm. A new feature this year, the Virginia Farmers Market Hub will offer online ordering and pick-up at the market from 5-6pm. More information is available at openfoodnetwork.net/virginiafarmersmarkethub/shop#/contact
The Cook Area Farmers Market in the city park on River Street opens Saturday June 18 and runs every Saturday from 8am to noon. Folks come early to get the baked goods and the spring asparagus! The market also features canned goods, roasted coffee, honey, maple syrup, art, crafts and a very festive atmosphere.
Hibbing Farmers Market opens Tuesday, June 14 2-6pm and is also open Saturdays 9am-1pm just off Hwy 37 across from McDonald’s. The Hibbing market has become known for its Super Saturdays where many more vendors expand the market and activities abound. Check www.hibbingfarmersmarket.org for dates.
Tower’s farmers market, located in the train depot on Hwy 169 as you enter town will open Friday June 18 4-6pm. Join the Lake Vermilion tourists and the local folks as you shop for eats and treats. Virginia, Cook, Hibbing and Tower all accept SNAP benefits and provide a $20 match this year through Minnesota Hunger Solutions, administered by AEOA, the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency. Virginia and Hibbing also accept WIC/FMNP payments. And all four offer the Power of Produce Club for kids.
The Mesabi East Environmental Education Center Farmers Market in Aurora runs for four Sundays from 10am to noon beginning July 30 and including August 12, 27 and September 10. Area vendors sell produce and crafts, and the Mesabi East Environmental Education students sell their products too. Power of Produce for kids and seniors is available. Located at the Environmental Education Center, 612 W 3rd Avenue N in Aurora.
A new farmers market in the area this year opens on the Nett Lake Reservation at the corner of Nett Lake Rd and Westley Drive. Ode-imini Giizis Farmers Market will be available every other Friday 10am-2pm beginning June 24. SNAP benefits accepted.
The large Grand Rapids Farmers Market is already open! Summer hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays 8am-1pm at 11 Golf Course Road in Grand Rapids. A large selection of vendors sells everything from homemade lefse to flowers and pottery, jewelry, soap, kombucha, produce and meat. Grand Rapids offers an online ordering system and drive-through pick-up for those interested. Information and ordering at https://openfoodnetwork.net/grand-rapids-farmers-market/shop#/shop This market also accepts SNAP and offers Power of Produce club.
Further to the west, Aitkin Farmers Market opened May 7 on the 300 block of Minnesota Avenue North in Aitkin, Saturdays 9am-1pm. And the Cayuna Range Farmers Market in Crosby opened May 28, Saturdays 9am-1pm. And to the east you’ll find markets in Ely on Tuesdays 5-7, Finland on Thursdays 5-6:30, and Brimson and Two Harbors on Saturday mornings. Markets outside of this area are also listed on www.arrowheadgrown.org
Maybe you’re looking for a farm outing for the family? There are lots of choices across the Range. All of these farms have Facebook pages that detail what’s going on and when. Mr. Ed’s Farm just east of Hibbing offers winter sleigh rides, hayrides, and barnyard tours. Cook’s Country Connection outside of Cook offers all kinds of farm animals up close and personal as well as farm yoga and day-camp at the farm! Cook’s Country Connection, Whiteside Park in Ely and Early Frost Farms in Embarrass will host this year’s pickup truck opera production of The Magic Flute on August 4th, 6th and 7th respectively. Check the schedule at Mixed Precipitation’s Facebook page. I attended last year’s pickup truck opera at Early Frost—it was fantastic! Owl Forest Farm in Iron Junction has fields of flowers for photography sessions as well as u-pick and bouquets and buckets of flowers. Hidden Pond Farms south of Hibbing has a farm stand all summer will have a pumpkin patch this year. And finally, Simek’s Farm in Kelsey has a corn maze, playground, hayrides, pumpkin patch and a gift shop for fall adventures.
We also have a number of farms that offer products for sale through Farm Direct Minnesota and Iron Range Grown, both on Facebook. And lastly, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture annually publishes the Minnesota Grown directory. It’s available online, too at https://minnesotagrown.com/ and features a searchable directory. You can use it to identify you-pick farms in our area: Peterson’s Berry Farm outside of Eveleth and Lavalier’s Berry Patch and Orchard south of Grand Rapids.
I sure do hope I haven’t forgotten anyone here. My apologies if I have. And now, it’s time to get on with SUMMER!