Haroldson Farms is now certified by the Real Organic Project.
The certification is an add-on label to USDA certified organic to provide more transparency on these farming practices. The Real Organic Project is family farmer-driven and embraces centuries-old organic farming practices along with new scientific knowledge of ecological farming. The certification includes crops grown in soil and livestock raised on pasture-based systems as the fundamental to organic farming. Healthy soils equal healthy crops and livestock, which equal healthy people and a healthy climate.
Haroldson Farms is proud to be the first, and currently only, South Dakota farm to have achieved this certification.
Visit www.realorganicproject.org for more details.
As our busy farm season is coming to a start in just a few weeks and the Coronavirus pandemic is affecting us all, we are taking steps to adapt. We are lucky in that there will be no shutdown at our business. Likewise, self isolation is a natural part of farm life. So, in those respects, life is normal for us at the farm.
We have thousands of plants well on there way already. In the greenhouse it feels like summer. Sunscreen is a must when working for an extended time. A couple more tunnels are going up in the coming weeks. Potatoes are going in the ground in the near future. Tomato plants are a couple feet tall. Thousands more plants will be started every week for the next few months.
As of now, it appears farmers markets will still be open as planned. However, no doubt markets will have some changes. Grocery stores will not shut down. People need to eat. We will be offering ONLINE ORDERING and HOME DELIVERY. We will be taking some steps to avoid unnecessary contact with customers during delivery. No big changes. We'll leave your products at your door and ask that customers collect the box after we leave.
Our produce is usually only touched by one person and at a maximum two to three people before it is received by our customers. It's hard to say how many people have come into contact with products at stores after is has been packed, shipped, stocked and then touched by multiple shoppers. That's not to say store produce is not safe. You can find our products in local stores as well. As with all store bought produce, take a little more care in washing the produce after it is purchased.
We will do our best to produce enough to meet demand. However, we never know what mother nature has in store for us in South Dakota. As always, our CSA members will be our first priority, followed by our store supply relationships. Anyone interested in our products can purchase through our online SHOP. Product availability will begin end of April/start of May. If interested in learning about our CSA share program, you can find information at CSA Farm Share. Now is the time to sign up and lock in your source of fresh, local, organic produce at a discounted price.
Stay safe. Wash your hands. Stay at home. Stay healthy. Eat local, organic produce!
Maybe we shouldn't already be thinking about fall when there is still snow on the ground in March. However, we're excited to share the winter squash selection we'll be working on for this year. Many winter squash require 100+ days to produce. So actually it's not too far off that we'll be getting these started.
Click on the products below to learn more about each variety.
Beets have become one of our most popular products. Just look below at all the ways they can be used and you'll see why! This season we'll be offering four varieties. First, the sweet and tender red beets are always a favorite. Second, gold beets add a vibrant color with a mild flavor. Third, unique and beautiful candy-striped chioggia beets. Fourth, new this season is the Badger Flame gold beet. A unique oblong golden beet cultivar developed with flavor-first chefs and consumers in mind. A perfectly mild and sweet golden beet that is delightful when eaten raw or cooked.
Beets are delicious and versatile, fitting well into a healthy and balanced diet. They are low in calories and a great source of nutrients and antioxidants. Beets also contain nitrates and pigments that may help lower blood pressure and improve athletic performance. Beet greens are also a great source of fiber, protein, phosphorus, and zinc.
Though it's not the most beautiful vegetable, knobbly, odd-shaped celeriac is quite tasty and versatile. It has a subtle, celery-like flavor, with nutty overtones. Try it as a creamy mash, in soups, in slow-cook dishes, as a noodle, fries, as the French remoulade and more!
We're excited to add more and more healthy food products to offer to the southeastern South Dakota region. We're adding nuts, granola and raisins to that list of products.
Eat them as a delicious healthy snack. Use them as ingredients in your favorite dishes. Mix them in smoothies. Excellent healthy snacks for children.
We plan to continue to add to this list. When possible we source from regional producers. Many of these products are produced in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We work to cut out as many middlemen as possible and secure bulk pricing to be able to offer competitive pricing to our customers and CSA members.
What other products would you love us to offer?
We have a wide tomato selection to offer this year. Hundreds of tomatoes seedlings have already started. All our tomatoes are USDA Certified Organic.
We're growing a wide selection of large, juicy heirlooms. Also, there will be an assortment of mini cherry, grape and pear tomatoes. Always one of our most popular items. Choose from our colorful mixed pints or individual varieties. Finally, you can't forget the all-purpose red slicers.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Cherry & Grape Tomatoes
Pear Tomatoes
Red Slicer Tomatoes
Join us and a variety of local vendors at the 2nd annual Frost Fest Farmers Market! Last year the market had fresh produce, baked goods, canned items, fresh coffee, smoothies, handmade items, and much more! Expect much of the same this year.
The market will be held on Saturday, February 15 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The event will be held at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings.
We'll have CSA Farm Share and Farmers Market Share information and sign up available. See all our events and farmers market dates on our Calendar page. Additionally, the Calendar will also show delivery schedule updates.
More information about the market and museum at www.sdstate.edu/events/2020/02/frost-fest-farmers-market.
