Garlic harvest is upon us! This specialty crop is growing as a premium product in Minnesota markets and pantries. Today we chat with Jerry Ford, a seasoned garlic grower who fell into it in 2002 and hasn’t stopped since. He walks us through his harvest and post-harvest processes, shares the conservation history of the fourth-generation Living Song Farm, and throws in a few garlic jokes for good measure.

A longtime local champion of garlic, Jerry also directs the Minnesota Premium Garlic Project, a collaboration between SFA and the University of Minnesota Extension RSDP. Throughout the year, you can also find him preparing for the Minnesota Garlic Festival, for which he is also the director.

Garlic growing resources and upcoming events can be found on the Minnesota Premium Garlic Project webpage. Garlic growers are also invited to join the Upper Midwest Garlic Growers networking group, which you can also connect with on Facebook.

While the Minnesota Garlic Festival isn’t happening live in-person this year, you will still be able to buy local, gourmet garlic from Minnesota growers. Stay tuned to the festival webpage for a forthcoming Garlic Grower Directory, and on Minnesota Garlic Fest social media for more fun updates.

Jerry Ford - SFA Network Coordinator

Katie Feterl - SFA Multimedia Coordinator and Development Assistant

The viewpoints of the speakers expressed within or outside of this episode do not necessarily reflect the goals and mission of SFA.

Dirt Rich is produced by the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota.