Gale Woods Farm
Upcoming Programs & Events

For programs that require reservations, register online or call 763/559-6700. The Reservations office is open 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm Saturday, and noon-4:30pm Sunday.

Download a printable version of our Fall 2008 Programs & Event Calendar (PDF)

JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER

(** Denotes Folk School Workshops.)

Saturday Mornings on the Farm
Every Saturday through October | 9:00 am – noon
$4/person – Families Welcome
Explore the Gale Woods Farm barn where you can meet animals, assist a Gale Woods Farmer with chores and participate in other seasonal farm activities. Reservations not required.

JULY

"What is your vision for the future of rural Minnesota?”  Youth Art Workshop
Saturday, July 26, 10:30—noon
Free, All skill levels are encouraged
Spend some time this summer to come and learn a little more about sustainable farming with a creative twist. This workshop will explore the question, "What is your vision for the future of rural Minnesota?" and create artwork about it. All artwork will be on exhibit at the Minnesota Garlic Festival on August 16, 2008. Awards will be presented for the best in each age group.
Reservations not required. For more information: 763.694.2001.

Farm Beginnings: Pastures a Plenty
Wednesday, July 30 | 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm         
$6/person
Come explore the pastures with the farmers, see where the farm animals spend most of their time in the summer. Make a farm craft and a farm fresh snack. Ages 3 – 5 years old. Adult must accompany child. Maximum 2 children per adult. Reservations required. #337403-02

Lil’ Farmhands
Wednesdays: July 16, 23, 30 | 9:30 am - 11:00 am        
$18/person
Summer is a very busy time on the farm. Help the farmer care for the gardens, animals, pastures and more! Each session will focus on a different topic and include a farm craft and farm fresh snacks. This is a drop off class for 4 and 5 year olds. You must sign up for all three sessions. Reservations required. #337416-00

AUGUST

Preserving the Harvest:  Salsa, Pickles & More!**
Tuesday, August 19 | 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm                   
$6/person
Canning is a way to bring the benefits of your garden to you and your family year round.  Gale Woods Gardeners will share recipes perfect for preservation and teach you how to preserve foods from your own garden to enjoy well into the winter. Ages 14+
Reservations required. #337411-06

Breakfast on the Farm
Saturday, August 23 | 8:00 am - 1:00 pm 
Start your weekend with a farm-fresh breakfast made from locally grown foods. Enjoy live music while eating in a beautiful farm setting. Walk around the farm, meet the farm animals, and explore the gardens. Watch sheep shearing and herding-dog demonstrations. Reservations required; registration deadline is August 19.  Children under 3 are free. $12 for ages 13 and up, $6 per child ages 3-12.

SEPTEMBER

Farm Beginnings: Apples
Monday, September 8  | 9:30 am — 11:00 am
$6/person
Explore the orchard with the farmers, help pick apples, and learn about growing apples. Make an apple treat and apple cider. This is an adult/child class. Adult must accompany child. Maximum 2 children per adult. Ages: 3-5. Reservations required. #43740300

Lil’ Farmhands
Tuesday, September 9 and 16 |9:30 am —  11:00 am
$12/ person
Fall is harvest time. Help the farmers harvest in the orchard and gardens, along with caring for the animals. Each session will focus on a different topic and include a farm craft and farm-fresh snack. This is a drop-off class that runs for two consecutive Tuesdays. You must sign up for both sessions. Reservations required. #43741600-01 Ages: 4-5.

Seasonal Cooking**
Tuesday, September 9 | 6:30 pm — 9:30 pm                    
$40/person
It's harvest time and the garden is overflowing with produce. Join chef Sharann Watson and learn how to prepare a delicious meal using fresh seasonal veggies. A delicious three course meal prepared from farm produce is included in the workshop! Ages 14+. Reservations required. #437419-00

Wagon Rides & Bonfires
Tuesdays & Fridays, September 9 – October 31 (except Oct. 14 and 24) | 6:00 pm — 7:15 pm
$125.00/group
Enjoy a crisp autumn evening with family and friends at Gale Woods Farm. Take a tractor-drawn wagon ride around the farm. Enjoy a bonfire overlooking beautiful Whaletail Lake. A perfect outing for a birthday party, Scout troop, youth group or any other group! Call the farm office for more information and to make a reservation: 763-694-2001. $125. Ages: 3+.

Farm Beginnings – Harvest Time
Monday, September 15 | 9:30 — 11 am
$6/person
It’s harvest time! Help the farmers harvest the fall produce. Make a farm fresh snack and a fall decoration. This is an adult/child class. Maximum 2 children per adult. Ages: 3-5. Reservations required. #43740301

Walk When the Moon is Full – Farm Hike & Canoeing
Monday, September 15 | 6:30 — 8:30 pm
$8/person
Experience the farm under the stillness of the full moon with a tour of the barn and a casual hike to Whaletail Lake. The evening will culminate with a peaceful paddle to explore the lake and enjoy the sounds of a fall evening. Ages: 5+. Reservations required. #43740604

Farm Yard Fun Days
Tuesday, September 16 | 9:30 am — 2:30 pm
Friday, September 26 | 9:30 am — 2:30 pm
Wednesday, October 1 | 9:30 am — 2:30 pm
Monday, October 6 | 9:30 am — 2:30 pm
Thursday, October 23 | 9:30 am — 2:30 pm
$5/person
Visit us and learn about the wonders of the farm in the fall!  Explore the barn to meet the farm animals and assist a Gale Woods Farmer with chores.  Stop in the classrooms for farm crafts, cooking and farm games.  The activities are a mix of independent exploration and educator lead programming. Come for just an hour or for the whole day.  Ages: Pre-K through 2nd grade. Reservations required for groups larger than 6; please call Gale Woods Farm to make your reservation: 763-694-2001. #43741202-06

OCTOBER

Growing with Garlic**
Saturday, October 4 | 9:00 am — 12:00 pm                    
$6/person
This amazing crop has many beneficial uses ranging from the culinary to the superstitious. Learn about the many different varieties of garlic and how and why to grow your own at home. Families welcome. Reservations required. #437409-00

Women’s Kayak Tour on Whale Tail Lake
Saturday, October 4 | 9:00 am — 12:00 pm     
$40/person               
Enjoy paddling the quiet backwaters of Whale Tail Lake as you soak up the fall colors. Meet at the DNR boat launch and paddle both the 'whale' and the 'tail' sections of the lake. Stop for a short hike at Gale Woods Farm. Beginning kayaking skills needed for this 3-mile round trip. Ages: 18+. Equipment provided. Reservations required. #42751200

Orienteering Skills
Saturday, October 4 | 1:00 pm  — 3:00 pm     
$10/person               
Try out the exciting sport of orienteering by navigating through the farm and forest. Learn how to use a map and compass together and put your skills to the test on our new course! Never get lost again! Ages: 12+. Reservations not required.

Kayak Tour on Whale Tail Lake
Saturday, October 4 | 1:00 pm  — 4:00 pm     
$40/person               
Enjoy paddling the quiet backwaters of Whale Tail Lake as you soak up the fall colors. Meet at the DNR boat launch and paddle both the 'whale' and the 'tail' sections of the lake. Stop for a short hike at Gale Woods Farm. Beginning kayaking skills needed for this 3-mile round trip. Ages: 18+. Equipment provided. Reservations required. #42751201

Celebrate the Harvest and Stock Dog Trials
Saturday, October 10 | 10:00 am — 3:00 pm 
Sunday, October 12 |  10:00 am — 3:00 pm 
$8/person
Watch the amazing skill of border collies and their trainers as they herd sheep in an open-field competition. Visit the Farm Education Center for a tasting tour of the farm, gardens and orchard.  Enjoy a wagon ride, pick your Halloween pumpkin, tour the barn to meet the farm animals, and play farm games. Farm-raised concessions available for an additional fee. Ages: All.   

Walk When the Moon is Full – Wagon Ride & Bonfire
Tuesday, October 14 | 6:30 — 8:30 pm
$6/person
Journey through Gale Woods Farm by wagon to see all the site has to offer. Explore the hay maze and tour the barn. A warm bonfire and S'mores will warm you under the beauty of the full moon. Families welcome. Ages: 3+. Reservations required. #43740605

MEA – Fall on the Farm
Thursday, October 16 | 9:30 am — 3:00 pm
Friday, October 17| 9:30 am — 3:00 pm
$6/person
Enjoy a fun filled fall day meeting farm animals, walking the farm trails, and making a farm fresh snack with farm produce. Learn the art of wet and needle felting and make a wool keepsake. Explore the farm on a scavenger hunt and wagon ride. Ages: 6+. Reservations required. #43741200-01

Halloween Farm Fun
Friday, October 24 |  5:00 pm —  10:00 pm
$8/person
Enjoy family fun at the farm! Take a horse-drawn wagon ride in the pasture among nature's critters. Walk on the wild side through the haunted trail. Meet a live owl and farm animals; hear stories around the bonfire. Make a Halloween craft, play farm games, and have Halloween treats from the farm. Come in costume! Start time is reserved for your wagon ride; other activities are on-going. Farm raised concessions available for an additional fee. Ages: 3+.
Reservations required. #437407H1

NOVEMBER

Sheep to Slippers**
Saturday, November 1 | 9:00 am — 4:00 pm
$45/person
Create a wearable felted project with wool from Gale Woods sheep.  Meet the sheep, learn how to process wool, and make a pair of warm durable felted slippers. Lunch included in program fee. Ages 14+. Reservations required. #43741114

Farm Beginnings – Stone Soup
Monday, November 3 | 9:30 am — 11:00 am
$6/person
Harvest time is done!  Read the delightful folk tale, “Stone Soup” and then help the farmers take the wonderful produce and make it into a tasty soup. This is an adult/child class. Maximum 2 children per adult.  Ages: 3-5. Reservations required. #43740303

Lil' Farmhands
Tuesday, November 4 | 9:30 am — 11:00 am
Tuesday, November 11 | 9:30 am — 11:00 am
Tuesday, November 18 | 9:30 am — 11:00 am
$18/person
It's time to put the farm to sleep for the winter and help the farmers get ready for the cold weather. Each session will focus on a different topic and include a farm craft and farm-fresh snack. This is a drop-off class for 4 and 5 year olds that runs for three consecutive Tuesdays. You must sign up for all three sessions. Ages: 4-5 Reservations required. #43741602-04

Sheep to Mittens**
Saturday, November 8 | 9:00 am — 4:00 pm
$45/person
Create a wearable felted project with wool from Gale Woods sheep. Meet the sheep, learn how to process wool, and make a pair of warm durable felted mittens. Lunch included in program fee. Ages 14+. Reservations required. #43741116

Nifty Needle Felting**
Sunday, November 9 | 1:00 pm — 4:00 pm
$24/person - includes cost of felted item
Needle felting is a nifty way to add designs and colors to make fashionable attire. Choose between a felted hat, clutch or scarf. We will have felting needles and dyed wool to add patterns. Come with your imagination and hands ready for an afternoon of felting fun! Ages 14+. Reservations required. #43741118

Farm Beginnings – Corn of Plenty
Monday, November 10 | 9:30 am — 11:00 am
$6/person
Corn is a crop that is enjoyed by the Gale Woods chickens, sheep, pigs and farmers. Corn harvest is completed; learn how it is used on the farm. Make a tasty corn snack and craft. Ages: 3-5. Maximum 2 children per adult. Reservations required. #43740304

Ornament Making**
Saturday, November 15 | 1:00 pm — 4:00 pm
$30/person
Just in time for the holidays! Craft a handmade woolen ornament with wool from the Gale Woods sheep. You'll leave this workshop with a good start on an attractive ornament that will make a great gift and the skills to make more on your own. All materials provided. Ages 14+. Reservations required. #43741120

Thanksgiving Cooking**
Saturday, November 22 | 10:00 am — 1:00 pm                    
$30/person
Learn how to cook and enjoy all the delicious comfort foods of fall. We'll cover special cooking techniques for root veggie stand-bys like carrots and sweet potatoes; discover the joys of rutabegas, parsnips and celeriac. You'll leave with recipes, new ideas and a satisfied appetite from sampling all your efforts in our kitchen. Ages 14+.  Reservations required. #437419-01

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