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As the entire world knows, our Annual Field Day; which we've been holding every year for more than 25 years; is always scheduled for the 3rd Saturday in August - which is this weekend; Saturday the 20th. And it looks like rain.   Really looks like rain, in this very rainy summer.  So - we'll be having Field Day activities on Sunday, too.  If Saturday is what fits your plans, and you're willing to risk the rain- we'll be here for you.  And we'll be ready for you on Sunday; too (the weather predictions look great for Sunday - at the moment - clear sky, light wind and a high temperature of only 66°F...) This has happened only once before - but in fact we have made the decision that from now on this is how it will happen every year . And.  Even BIGGER NEWS - we've made the decision to be formally "OPEN" - on ALL the weekends, from this start in August - until Christmas.  If you can't make it here for our Field Day; you'll now be able to just COME...

This May 8th; Mothers Day, Badgersett will hold our First  Annual Lamb - Blossom - Mom Day! 10 AM  to 7 PM May 1 - On Schedule! We intend that this will become an Annual event - there will always be apple blossoms; there will always be new lambs, there will always be Moms who need a little time to enjoy the world with their kids, and there will always be friends we want to share it all with.             We have a Spectacular Day arranged for you!  Look below here for Authors, Artists, Things To See, Things To Do; and Things To Buy. — Authors — Artists  — Beth Dooley -  One of Minnesota's most beloved food writers - WILL BE HERE - to sign her new book In Winter's Kitchen !  How do we rate such wonderfulness?   Well.  One of the chapters in Winter's Kitchen is - "Chestnuts".  And we get mentioned a bit.  So she'll be signing her books- under chestnut trees for you.  (We hope you're bringing some of...

We've got an article posted today on The Oil Drum , where we address Woody Ag and energy production more completely than has been available in print before. For those of you who made it to Philip Rutter's talk at the International Biomass Conference in Denver earlier this year, this article started with that talk as a framework.  Welcome new visitors, and if you haven't visited that site, go on over and take a look at  The Oil Drum . Also of import, the field day page has been updated with a tentative schedule and tour info.  New this year: a completely harvest-oriented tour, and of course a demonstration of the mechanical harvester . Our hazels have a very serious crop set this year; come and see a little bit of what they can do!

Actual details coming in the next couple of days, but here's your first reminder that our annual field day is on August 18. In poetic form, by our secretary Sara West: You're invited to the Annual Badgersett Field Day A chance to come learn and play With friends old and new And bring the family too! There will be tours of the farm That will cause little harm We'll have plants available Have lunch at a picnic table So come one and come all To the kickoff event of the fall We know it's a bit early But we need to beat the squirrelly's

(click on photo for bigger views) Badgersett Research Farm 20th Annual Field Day: Saturday, August 20th If you want to learn about growing hazelnuts in the Midwest; it makes sense to go and see where it's been done the longest. That would be us, we're at 32 years, and counting. No other grower or researcher has production rows like ours. We're making a concerted effort to expand our Field Day event this year; we're inviting quite a few other folks to bring what they have to show and sell, and set up booths in the chestnut rows, where we can guarantee good shade. Stay tuned to this blog, where we'll be announcing the specifics as we have them. We're inviting hazel growers, graziers, wool spinners, wood carvers- anyone who makes a living, or wants to, from sustainable farming and integrated woody crops. And our Amish neighbors will be here, of course. Plus- in a change from the past few years, we WILL have plants available for sale this Field Day; hazel, ...

A few quick updates and details about the field day as we do our final day of preparation: Remember, use the map on our website to find us- navigation systems usually don't work. Registration starts at 9:30 this year. First tours at 10. Morning tours: Woody Ag, and Mature Hazel Management. Hazel coppice demonstration! If things go well, we'll have a lunchtime raptor roost raising. Afternoon tours: Hybrid Hazels (possibly including harvest demo), and Animals in Woody Agriculture. Farm-hatched guinea keets! 3 PM other demonstrations and discussions start, possibly including fertilizer demo; brush puller demo, and husking. Q&A session. The weather is looking pretty good; we hope you'll be able to make it!