Farm Tour – Stone Fruit Propagation in Cold Climate
Free for NCHG members to attend, or $10 per person for non-members.
Description: Peach leaves, twigs, and bark, are part of a comprehensive materia medica for many herbalists. Of course, the fruit is also just plain delicious and so refreshing! Come join us on a field trip to Stone Creek Farm to see the system that caused peach trees to fruit over the last 12 years, nine years successfully on this property using organic sustainable practices. NCHG board members can point out other wild herbs growing on the property along the way. Peaches may also be available for sale depending on the timing of certain trees.
Speaker Bio: Dan Sheild, Stone Creek Farm, is a farmer in Taylors Falls Minnesota specializing in growing stone fruit. Since 2010, Dan has successfully grown Peaches in the harshest conditions, surviving -35° with his cold weather peach protection system. With over 40 varieties of peaches in review, desiring to find a template for this region, his research makes growing peaches in the upper Midwest, a viable commercial consideration, bringing a new crop to Minnesota, and cutting 2000 miles off of the carbon footprint. His system lends itself toward organic growing in unthought of areas for a better future. Dan is a member of the Land Stewardship Project, Minnesota, fruit and vegetable growers association, North American Fruit Explorers, and a board member in the Organic Fruit Growers Association.