Lost Lake Garlic — Local Undercover

Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:

I'm a designer, a wife and mom, and a newbie garlic farmer. When I left my full-time design agency role about a year ago to go independent I was eager to spend more time with our boys while they're still little. Also, we'd been living in London, which was amazing - but by that point I was really craving more nature, more wide open, wild spaces. These are the forces that really prompted me to take a kernel of a dream and turn it into something real now.

Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?

This farm has been in our family going on five generations, and I wanted some of that legacy reflected in the name. We'd always heard stories about a small lake that used to be behind the barn. Sometime in the 1950s my grandpa drained that lake to create more pasture for his cattle. He retired from farming before I was born, and the pasture has been lying fallow ever since. This is beautiful soil, rich and black and full of organic matter. It's like a gift from the past we get to utilize and care for now.

Tell us a little more about your business beginnings:

As a designer I'm definitely shaped by 10-plus years working for healthcare clients, where everything is based on usability, rigorous user testing, clean, crisp and smart design. The wild and intuitive artist in me has had to defer to this more disciplined way of intellectualizing creativity. I've felt rewarded by that at times, stymied at others. With the garlic farm, I definitely feel like these two halves are working in tandem. The right brain needs to learn, plan, organize, and execute. The left brain needs to dare and dream, let go and observe in wonder and gratitude. Ultimately, I'm truly at the mercy of Mother Nature. I'm working with a veteran garlic grower who told me he likes to "sing to the garlic." If that's not art, I don't know what is.

What makes your business unique to the industry?

I was surprised to learn that the vast majority of garlic consumed in the US is imported from China, and most of our domestic garlic comes from California. There have been a handful of garlic growers active in Minnesota for the past 20 years or so, but really it's an emerging crop here. I like being part of something still just taking hold, and supporting a diverse local food system.

What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?

You know, it's not easy being a newbie. Especially when you're at a phase in your career when you're used to being an "expert." I remember walking in to the Minnesota Garlic Festival last fall, my heart beating fast with excitement, and to be honest, nerves. My plan was to meet some farmers and buy some seed. It felt soooo awkward admitting that no, I'd never farmed before. No, I didn't have any equipment. No, I didn't have the field prepared. But by and large, people were super supportive. I made some great contacts and I found an organic seed supplier. Every step of garlic growing has been brand new to me - there's not a single task that doesn't require learning, failing forward and asking the "dumb" questions. I feel it building a different kind of confidence in me - one that doesn't require me to be an expert, just willing to work hard and be nice to people.

How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?

I'd have to say we're fortunate because the impact to date has been minimal. When it came time to sell our garlic scapes we provided contactless pick-up and delivery, and we'll offer the same with our garlic this fall. I know that many local growers have had to scramble to reroute their sales from restaurants to other markets. I've also seen some pretty cool things develop as a result - like pop-up farmer's markets, mobile farm stands, and collaborative online stores.

What is your favorite part of what you do?

Far and away the best part is seeing that crop come up from the ground. First the little green tips in mid April, then the garlic scapes come out in June. The big harvest, which we just finished, was two days of back-breaking working in 100+ degree heat index, but I don't think I could have felt happier seeing those big, gorgeous bulbs emerge.

**What is your must do local activity?**

We try to buy small and local wherever we can, and we believe that a local food supply is critical to our health and economy. Now I'm a producer as well as a consumer, and it's only deepening my understanding and appreciation of what local food means. Other growers have been fantastic sources of info and encouragement, and I hope that marketing our garlic will contribute to more and more people valuing locally and organically-grown foods over the alternatives.

Where to find Lost Lake Garlic:

Website: www.lostlakegarlic.com
Instagram: @lostlakegarlic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostlakegarlic