Farm Bike Tour: A Pedal-Powered Tour of 7 Northfield Farms

Editor's note: Here's what you need to know about Saturday's Farm Bike Tour. The following comes from organizers. 

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/farmbiketour

When: Saturday, September 29th from 1–7 p.m.

Where: In and around Northfield, MN

Why: So much sustainable agriculture is happening right here in Northfield. By getting students, local businesses, and other residents outside on their bikes and face to face with farmers, we hope to raise awareness of this growing local-food scene and get people excited about the sustainable agriculture happening in their own community.

Details: The basic route is 18-20 miles round trip but participants can choose to go to as many/few farms as they wish. There will be two meeting points from which to begin the tour:

The Buntrock Commons parking lot at St. Olaf College, near 1500 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield

The Bald Spot field at Carleton College, near 1 N College Street, Northfield

Maps of various routes (recreational biker, road warrior, family-friendly) and a schedule of farm events will be distributed — along with the all-important liability waiver forms! — at the lots. The farms cannot accommodate cars, so please park at (or cycle to) one of the colleges. You can park in any lot at either college.

We’ll pedal off starting at 1pm and visit St. Olaf’s STOGROW student farm, the Carleton Student Farm, Little Hill Berry Farm, Spring Wind Farm, SEEDS Farm, Laughing Loon Farm, and the Rural Enterprise Center for brief tours and discussions, along with demonstrations on beekeeping and raising chickens, children’s art activities, tree planting, and lots more cool stuff . We’ll end the day with a festival at SEEDS Farm just south of Northfield, complete with a delicious dinner made from local, seasonal ingredients, live music, and information and activities from our community sponsors.

If participants are only able to attend the festival and/or are not able to bike, there will be a shuttle to transport participants between the parking lots at colleges and SEEDS farm between 4 and 7 p.m.

Cost: FREE, but donations gratefully accepted on behalf of beginning farmer Dayna Burtness of Laughing Loon Farm, who lost almost $20,000 worth of crops and equipment due to summer flooding.

Sponsors: Bon Appétit Management Company at St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges, Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy, Main Street Project/Rural Enterprise Center, SEEDS Farm, Fit to Be Tri'd, Mike’s Bicycle Shop of Northfield, Northfield Bicycle Club, Northfield Lines, Healthy Community Initiative, Cannon Valley Velo Club, Cannon Falls Canoe and Bike Rental, Alber services, and local businesses TBA