MKG Cable Gram - Volume 21, Number 1

Did you know that just 30 minutes west of Minneapolis is a working educational farm operated by Three Rivers Park District (the former Hennepin County Park District)?

Gale Woods Farm, in Minnetrista, produces beef, lamb, chicken, eggs, garden produce, and wool. In this small-scale, production farm, everyone is invited to experience agriculture through educational programs and recreation. Farm visitors can participate in scheduled programs for school students, scout, church, or other groups, and in public programs. Programs include topics in farming, gardening, food, and fiber arts.

Fiber arts programs vary from one two-hour session to multi-week courses in sheep husbandry, wool processing, spinning, knitting, and felting. The farm is a unique setting for fiber arts enthusiasts to learn not only fiber arts, but also the steps involved in getting wool fiber from the sheep to your knitting needles.

Volunteers are an integral part of the life of the farm. Opportunities for individual and group volunteer experiences are available in farm and garden projects as well as educational programs. If you are interested in sharing your fiber arts skills with youth and adults at the farm, please contact the farm.

By the time you receive this Cable Gram, you will have missed the annual sheep shearing, but check out another upcoming program, Spring Into Farming on March 26 and April 9 and 23. Spring Into Farming celebrates spring on the farm with chances to meet baby farm animals, plant seeds in the greenhouse, take hayrides, try wool crafts, and play farm games.  For more information on upcoming programs, please call the farm at  763-694-2001, or visit the website.

Wendy Johnson, MKG member, started volunteering with the Gale Woods  Farm Wool Program a year ago and has been having a great time  demonstrating felting, spinning, (knitting), and helping with special  events and classes -- besides making friends with the sheep, cows,  chickens and cats. You’ll find her in the barn lusting after those beautiful wool coats!