In early March 2020 we visited The Syrup Ranch LLC Mike and Jacleen of The Syrup Ranch is surrounded by love, traditions and adventure. Children fill the woods with always a stick in hand, climbing trees and the pine in the sugar shack holds special meaning to the family. Mike makes syrup inspired by words of his mentor, “Anyone can make syrup. You gotta make good syrup, that’s the key.” Mike and Jacleen make good syrup ..read more

Lo Mein is another easy meal.  When I make it, I look in the fridge and see what I have for vegetables.  This time this is what Asian week Lo Mein looked like.  I took pork steaks and pan fried them. While they rested I took my vegetables. You can also use ground pork for this recipe or no meat at all.  Chop  1 whole onion  3 celery stalks  About ½ small bag of carrots  A quarter red cabbage 1 small package of mushrooms sliced In a large skillet  Add table spoon of vegetable oil and a tablespoon of Sesame oil   Add hard vegetables first (o ..read more

Homemade ramen is the easiest thing. While not as easy as the 10 cent ramen packages.  In the Midwest when a person says Ramen we automatically thing of the packages of noodles. My son Everett loves these! They are quick and easy. So looked up some ramen recipes and made it our own.  1-large broth (I used chicken broth)  2-cups of water  1-chopped onion About ½ package of carrots 2 celery stalks chopped  The best thing about Ramen is you can add what ever you have!  Seasoning 1 teaspoon of each pepper, salt, garlic A couple shakes of red pepper flakes Simmer until ..read more

In 2019 I had partnered with local artist Heidi Jeub and the Morrison County Ag Society to create three murals which fair goers could create art. During the event artist came to demonstrate their craft. County fairs in Minnesota can apply for through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for the AGRI and Legacy Grant. The grant funding is through the Legacy Amendment. This project was created with a partnership with the Morrison County Ag Society to fund the project. Like many of the projects this one snow balled from one phone call I had received from the Morrison County Fair manager. I rea ..read more

Everett earned a Minnesota State fair trip with his market turkeys. I can’t help to think about the meaning behind turkeys for me personally. Everett has taken on his poultry journey completely on his own. He saved his own money for his first batch of birds. He loves anything with feathers. His first year he began with chickens, the next year he added ducks to his portfolio. This year he added market turkeys. This year is the first year Everett is State Fair eligible.   I grew up in what you would call the heart of turkey country. My hometown of Swanville, MN was on Jeopardy because ..read more

Bowlus Fun Day is a one day event happening always the first Sunday in July. The tiny rural town of 300 grows into the thousands for one day. In 2019 I documented the process of making a tiny festival with a big impact. Bowlus Fun Day is felt by the community and individuals. One of the reasons for the success of the event is all the businesses in town close to show their support for the event. Jordie’s Trail Side Cafe is across the street from the park, you won’t find Jordie in her cafe but in the Bingo Stand volunteering calling numbers. I hope you enjoy, Bowlus Fun Day ..read more

If you are new to Raising a Farmer you may have noticed some pictures of a large pig roaming around our farm. His name is Hans and he is living his best life.   Hans is a fixture of our farm. He roams where he likes and when he was younger and a lot smaller he would walk Everett to the school bus, he just getting lazy now and only walks them on the first day of school.   January 2019 Hans wishing the kids a good day on the first day of school September 2020 The story of Hans. Hans started as a 4H Swine Market Project for Everett in 2018. For many years Everett had shown dairy an ..read more

This last year many steps have led me to the point of where I am now. I was lost last fall after selling our dairy cows. Not knowing what I should do or even who I was. My birthday is the end of August. My birthday has always been filled with dread and joy at the same time. Joy because it was my birthday and dread because it marked the end of summer. End of warm days with school around the corner usually in a few short days.   For my birthday in 2019 I received a gift in the mail weeks before my birthday. The thick envelope arrived in the mail. Nathan handed me the envelope with the ..read more

For about a week Vivian was asking for meatloaf. It turned out to be seriously the best meatloaf that has ever come out of my oven. She is now in charge of making meatloaf. She has made better meatloaf than me! This was taken in June. I was sunburnt. Everett said after watching this, “Mom look how burnt you were!” Yes I was burnt. We have summer hair, summer skin, late suppers. Everett and Nate make a couple cameos. Everett at the end is famished and exhausted from a long summer day. Do you like meatloaf? What are your secret ingredients ..read more

I tried. Try new things! This has been the going motto lately. I have done no “new things” in social distancing. None. So when I saw this recipe I thought I can do that. (Yes, I gave myself false hope) I had many, many complications as I tried to navigate my way through this recipe.  (as usual) Sam Heughan Outlander star shared on his Instagram @samheughan the Isolation Sour, for every tag he would be donating PPE supplies to Scotland. If you are looking for a new drink or maybe try to be fancy and for a good cause, Head on over to Sam’s Instagram. How many glugs is too much? Any “tips” i ..read more