Minnesota’s own 100% grassfed, organic dairy is opening its gates to the public this Saturday for their annual dairy-themed event, Milkapalooza.
Make a trek to Cedar Summit Farm from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 for tours, hayrides, and pasture walks with the Audubon society. Speak with friendly folks from local conservation groups like the Land Stewardship Project, Cornucopia Institute, Local Harvest Alliance, and Right to Know Minnesota. Music will be provided by bluegrass band the Broken V. For lunch, attendees can buy Cedar Summit grass-fed beef burgers and hot dogs, and vegetarian options will be available as well.
The Minar family founded Cedar Summit Farm in 1926, and in 1989, Dave and Florence Minar transitioned it from a confinement dairy to a grazing operation. They built their on-farm dairy processing plant in 2001. Today, the Minar family manages Cedar Summit’s ~140 milking cows and dairy processing operations in New Prague, Minn. They are proud to be a 100% grassfed, certified organic dairy. As environmental stewards and sustainable producers, they received recognition as the MOSES Farmer of the Year in 2007, and they’ve been called a Zero-Waste hero by Eureka Recycling for their use of reusable glass bottles, which can be spotted sparkling on shelves in co-ops and restaurants throughout the Twin Cities.
The Minars made news in March 2013 when they started a petition to amend and clarify the “Buy the Farm” laws. These laws require power companies that are erecting high voltage power lines to purchase farm or residential property if requested by the property owner. Passed in May 2013, the amended laws should improve compensation for farmers. The Minars are treating this year’s Milkapalooza as a celebration of that victory!
“Minnesota is the only state in the union that has managed to get a bill such as this passed. We are a state that is standing up for our farmers’ rights,” said the Minars. “Come meet the family, see the cows, and take in the scenery that your work and tireless efforts, have helped protect.”
Cedar Summit Farm
25830 Drexel Avenue, New Prague, MN 56071
952-758-6886, cedarsummit.com
