Cool Ideas

WasecaRegion: Southern
University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center
35838 120th Street
Waseca, MN 56093
Contact: Jeanette Williams
Phone: (507) 837-5612
Fax: (507) 835-3622
E-mail: willi098@umn.edu
Website: http://sroc.cfans.umn.edu
Tour Focus: Agricultural crop and livestock production studies and facilities and horticultural research.
Group Size: 2 minimum, 100+ maximum
Cost: free
Availability: Seasonal weather, by appointment
Tour Guide: Research leader or staff
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Spring GroveRegion: Southern
Spring Grove Soda Pop
215 2nd Ave NW
Spring Grove, MN 55974
Contact: Dawn Hansen
Phone: (507) 498-3424
E-mail: sgsoda@springgrove.coop
Website: www.springgrovesoda.com
Tour Focus: The tour includes a start to finish description of the process used to produce our soda along with the machinery and techniques used. The 113 years of history of our soda and the changes in the various bottles will also be discussed.
Group Size: all sizes can be accommodated
Availability: year-round, by appointment
Tour Guide: owner
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RochesterRegion: Southern
Garten Marketplatz Perennial Farms
5225 County Road 15 Southwest
Byron, MN 55920
Contact: Sue Lantz
Phone: (507) 281-1023
Tour Focus: On this tour you will see perennial theme gardens in the beautiful setting of the Civil War era farm. Learn about the raising and selling of perennials.
Group Size: no minimum; no maximum
Cost: varies by food
Availability: May-Oct, by appointment
Tour Guide: owner
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Redwood Falls
Region: Southern
Potterosa Farms
28055 310 Street
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Contact: Jeff Potter
Phone: (507) 641-3087
Fax: (507) 641-2098
E-mail: loghome@rrcnet.org
Tour Focus: Come tour this crop and cattle farm along the Redwood River.
Group Size: no minimum, no maximum
Cost: free
Availability: year-round, by appointment
Tour Guide: owner
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New PragueRegion: Southern
Cedar Summit Farm
Dave & Florence Minar
25830 Drexel Avenue
New Prague, MN 56071
Phone: (952) 758-6886
Fax: (952)758-6197
Website: www.cedarsummit.com
Tour Focus: Visitors are always welcome to their creamery where you can watch processing through a window. They open at 9am and processing is usually finished by noon. Farm tours take about 1 hour and they need to be scheduled.
Group Size: no minimum, no maximum
Availability: The Cedar Summit Farm Store is open Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm & Sat. 8am-12pm
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MorrisRegion: Central
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research North Central Soil Conservation Research Lab803 Iowa Avenue
Morris, MN 56267
Contact: Abdullah Jaradat
Phone: (320) 589-3411
Fax: (320) 589-3787
E-mail: Abdullah.jaradat@ars.usda.gov
Website: www.usda.gov/mwa/ncscrl
Tour Focus: Soil and water conservation, land and crop management, cropping systems and bio-energy. Specific interests of scientists include: yield response of traditional and alternative crops to abiotic stresses; weed ecology, management and modeling; development of new/alternative crops; Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions; soil biology in relation to soil quality and land management issues; management practices that minimize environmental contamination while maintaining production; tillage-included carbon dioxide loss and soil movement by tillage.
Group Size: no minimum, no maximum
Cost: free
Availability: year-round, by appointment
Tour Guide: Usually a scientist
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Lanesboro
Region: Southern
R&M Amish Tours
102 E Beacon St
Lanesboro, MN 55949
Phone: (507) 467-2128
E-mail: tours@acegroup.cc
Website: www.rmamish.com
Tour Focus: Step back in time and tour the largest community of Old Order Amish at their farms. Visit Amish farms and workshops and experience first-hand the interesting history of these Christian people. Browse and purchase Amish crafts, furniture, and baked goods. Enjoy a stop at the historical Lenora Stone Church built in 1856. Your friendly and knowledgeable tour guide will share the rich history of our Amish friends, as well as stories about the first Amish families who came to the area in the 1970s.
Group Size: no minimum, no maximum
Cost: $30/person, weekday discount of $2.50/person Mon-Fri. $150 step-on-guide for bus tours
Availability: year-round
Tour Guide: staff
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LanesboroRegion: Southern
Lanesboro State Fish Hatchery
23789 Grosbeak Road
Lanesboro, MN 55949
Phone: (507) 467-3771
Tour Focus: This facility is one of five state cold water hatcheries managed by the Minnesota DNR, raising trout to increase fishing opportunity in area lakes and streams. Group tours welcome. Guided tours are available to groups by reservation.
Group Size: no minimum, no maximum
Cost: free
Availability: year-round
Tour Guide: DNR staff
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Lake BentonRegion: Southern
Anderson Honey Farm
1907 US Hwy 75
Lake Benton, MN 56149
Contact: Heather Ulrich-Glynn
Phone: (507) 368-9577
Tour Focus: See the miracle of nature and watch bees make honey. Please allow at least 45 minutes for the tour.
Group Size: no minimum, no maximum
Cost: $2/person
Availability: Summer and Fall, by appointment
Tour Guide: guided
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HutchinsonRegion: Central
Liberty Land & Livestock
61231 Highway 7
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Phone: (320) 587-6094
Website: www.ourfarmtoyou.com
Tour Focus: Because there has been such a demand for our knowledge, we offer a variety of consulting and educational program opportunities. Each year we are asked to be speakers for different conferences and seminars. We also have tour groups come out to the farm, offer field days, and hold special training sessions for either groups or individuals. So whether you are in need of a speaker, you want some direct hands-on work with our farm stay program, are interested in an on-farm seminar with a group of others with similar interests, or you could use some private one-on-one consulting we have what it takes to serve your needs and would love to work with you or your group.
Group Size: no minimum, 35 maximum
Cost: free
Availability: by appointment
Tour Guide: owner
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Grand RapidsRegion: Northeastern
University of MN North Central Research & Outreach Center
1861 E Hwy 169
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Contact: Dr. Shengrui Yao
Phone: (218) 327-4490
Fax: (218) 327-4126
Website: www.maes.umn.edu/components/ROCNC.asp
Tour Focus: With towering trees planted more than 100 years ago and compact ornamentals, small fruits and vegetables, grasses and forage, beef cattle, and Minnesota’s signature wild rice, the North Central Research and Outreach Center encompasses a wide spectrum of agricultural and natural research subjects. In addition, studies of tourism, ecological management, and use of industrial byproducts are all specific to the climate and industries of north central Minnesota.
Group Size: no minimum, 30 maximum
Cost: free
Availability: By appointment only
Tour Guide: staff