Red Goose Gardens

Red Goose Gardens' Goal:

It is our mission to put good food into the hands of people who care about their health  and the soil where their food is grown. We value the experience of being available to our members and offering a connection to farmers and farm. We strive to create a community of people who enjoy food that is grown locally, sustainably and free from pesticides, chemicals and GMOs.

The Farmers and The Farm

Thor's Story

My path to Red Goose Gardens was definitely not a linear one, but perhaps one of a serpentine shape. I say that because although I did not do most of my growing up on a farm or anywhere near the Red River Valley, I did know the place I call Red Goose Gardens as a kid. My earliest memories of it were standing next to my Great Uncle Carl in the yard of the then dilapidated farmhouse, in awe of the grass that lapped at my chin. At this point, the farm and farmers were run down and looking for a new chance. After my parents purchased it from Uncle Carl he moved away and died shortly after but the farm began to take on new life, at first slowly but then more fervently as my parents began spending more time, effort and money on the place.

We would drive from Norman, Oklahoma, to Fargo, where my parents, Thomas and Karen (Swallers) grew up, and stay at my Granny Cynthia’s house in north Fargo, prophetically perhaps, also right on the Red River. From there we would drive back and forth along Highway 75, hauling up countless loads of material, hauling back tired and often filthy dirty family.

In high school still in Norman, I resisted the idea of pursuing a path in agriculture, even though my mother did suggest it one time. About this time my mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cancer that eventually ended her life at a tender age of 47 years. As you might expect, this made a deep and profound impact on the my life; something it gave me was a much deeper appreciation of the quality of our food and the environment we raise it in. After a couple of rough years in college, I eventually found myself back in the region at the U of MN, Twin Cities. While at the U, I did some of the groundwork to prepare me for the leap to actual sustainable farm practitioner, that is the class work in a natural resources degree with a sustainable agriculture minor. The degree did not prepare me for the gamut of things this life deals out, though, so after a few years working various so-so jobs related to sustainable ag., another profound thing happened: my father, who had been putting the finishing touches on the farm structures, passed away at age 60. This left the farm in the hands of mine and my older brothers’ who, with a career in computer sciences, I assumed was not interested in farming. So, here was my life’s big major decision moment: to farm or not to farm.

I figured my life already had too many regrets so I went for it. I moved to the farm in the fall of 2002, after an internship at a CSA in Minnesota, and began the gradual process of turning a farmstead retreat into a working, multi-faceted, sustainably managed, and profitable farm. Working off the farm during the frozen season, I poured my savings and time into the gradual expansion of the garden, first working a quarter acre and expanding yearly until today’s six to seven acres. At first, I just wanted to grow stuff and didn’t really know much about the marketing side of things. I remember one time I asked the closest grocer if he wanted to buy some fresh veggies; he said “no” but there happened to be a customer who overheard and suggested I contact someone in the FM. From the next person I met the HoDo and a farmers’ market and others in the area interested in fresh, local, naturally grown food.  Eventually, I met a business planner who helped with marketing strategy; with his help the CSA was running in 2005.

Over the years, I have met many people who have helped in many different ways, and I consider myself fortunate to be where I am today. But until recently, I was trying to make this farm life work without anyone else, living more or less like a hermit for months at a time. Every year, as the responsibilities grew, the thought, “I can’t keep doing this alone” grew louder and more pressing. Then, once again the flood intervened. I’ve heard it said that the one good thing about disasters like our floods is that they bring people together. I would have to agree since the 2009 flood led to Jaclyn and me meeting. Now that the major pieces are together, all that’s left is to garner the community support that will keep us growing good food into the future.

Jaclyn's Story

If you have been to the farm, you realize how magical this place is. Although the Red River Valley certainly host some brilliant beauties, the endless horizons, the way that a good sunset can turn a field into an amber blanket of fire, I grew up with hills and over the years have missed them. The first time I visited the farm, I knew I was in love and would never long for hills again. Following the long gravel drive surrounded by old oaks on the shoulder of the Red, I was in awe. The way the adjacent river bank at the far end of the property rises up and looks exactly like the Shire, still takes my breath away. I was extremely happy that I liked Thor as much as I did, because I was absolutely in love with his land!

Moving to the farm for me meant returning to my roots. This is how I grew up. I grew up in a garden; pulled weeds and picked raspberries for allowance. I remember sneaking out to the garden to eat watermelons before they were ripe, eating tomatoes that spilled juice on me when I picked them and immediately ate them like apples. When I smell fresh herbs, I still think of sitting in the back room of the organic food coop that my mom managed, bagging bulk spices. I learned how to bake bread and can vegetables before I learned to peddle a bike. I am from the countless hours of canning and putting up for winter. Becoming a part of this farm has felt like a homecoming. Never has life felt so gratifying!

The journey that food makes, from seed to table, has always amazed me. I love good food: I like digging my hands into the dirt to get it ready for planting. I like to watch the small sprouts grow into plants. I love the harvest, even when the picking, gathering, clipping, cutting, digging, pulling and throwing get entirely overwhelming. I really like the way food brings us together. I love to cook and feel quite fortunate that I can throw a basket over my arm, head out the door, and pick from such a wonderful variety of foods. “What is for dinner?” is such a fun question during the growing season!

The CSA is a huge passion for me as well. The fact that our farm can sustainably, and nutritiously feed over 200 people gives me a sense of hope for feeding future generations. The CSA is largely a community of people who have great priorities -- feeding our bodies and our families well, and being good stewards of the earth during this process -- I am honored to be a part of this community!