Down on the Farm: October News and Notes from Gale Woods

This weekend: Celebrate the Harvest for Free!
October 6 – Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Gale Woods Farm's annual Fall Festival is filled with autumnal fun all weekend long and it’s free for all ages.

• Watch 30+ border collies compete in open field sheep herding trials
• Shop and visit with over 20 fiber and local food vendors
• Enjoy musical performers Okee Dokee Brothers (Sat.) & TreVeld (Sun.)
• See world record holder Doug Rathke shear sheep, Saturday 10 a..m.-Noon
• Meet Vickie Black, local author of Young Chicken Farmers – Tips for Kids Raising Backyard Chickens, Saturday 10 a.m.

In addition, guests can lead a llama, meet Lester our state soil—Minnesota’s newest symbol, make a wool craft, take a wagon ride, explore the teaching garden, interact with our farm animals, taste seasonal delights from Chef Tricia Cornell and Baker David S. Cargo, and observe fiber artists weave, knit and spin.

Make Room in Your Freezer
Gale Woods Farm is sending two steers and six lambs to market at the end of October. The farm anticipates a nice variety of beef and lamb cuts and will be sharing them around the beginning of November. Please feel free to call the front desk at 763.694.2001 to ensure the farm's freezers are stocked before making the drive out to stock yours.

Gale Woods Farm accepts cash, credit card and checks. The visitor center and store is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 12-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Save the Date – Halloween Farm Fun
Saturday, Oct. 27, 5-9:30 PM
Enjoy family Halloween fun at the farm with Gale Woods and Lowry Nature Center. Take a walk on the wild side through our trail of costumed characters and pay a visit to the Mad Scientist's lab. Meet a live owl and farm animals, and hear stories around the bonfire. Make a nature craft, play nature games, and have Halloween treats from the farm. Come in costume! $9 per child, $5 per adult.

Register Now for Fall Fiber Art Workshops

Sheep to Hat
October 13 – Saturday, 9:30 AM-2 PM 
Create a wearable felted project with wool from Gale Woods sheep. Meet the sheep, learn how to process wool, and make a warm, durable, felted hat. Materials included in the program fee. Reservations required by October 9. $45/person. Ages: 12+.

Wet Felting for Children – Finger Puppets
October 20 – Saturday, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
Drop off your child to create a fun felted project! Participants will use wool, water and soap to make their own fun finger puppets. We'll take time to meet the sheep and learn how the wool goes from sheep to puppets. Reservations required by October 16. $20/child. Ages: 6-14.

Knit Fingerless Mittens – Swedish Twined Knitting
October 20 – Saturday, 1-4 PM 
Join Wendy Johnson of Saga Hill Designs to learn the basics of tvaandsticking (Swedish two ended/twined knitting) and start a pair of durable fingerless mitts. This class is for more advanced knitters - those who know how to knit, purl and work on double pointed needles. Bring your own knitting needles and finishing supplies; Gale Woods and the instructor will supply the yarn and pattern. Reservations required by October 16. $45/person. Ages: 14+.