Meet the Farmers Behind Your Garlic

Friday, July 21, 2023

Get ready to indulge your taste buds and embark on a fragrant adventure at the 16th annual Minnesota Garlic Festival – the ultimate ode to "the king of herbs. Held on August 12, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Minnesota, this family-friendly festival promises a fun-filled day celebrating local farmers and their bountiful garlic harvest.

As the premier event for local garlic, food, and good times, the festival aims to connect festival-goers with sustainable agriculture and the hardworking farmers behind the scenes. Jerry Ford, Festival Director and farmer, highlights the festival's mission to "hook" people into learning about sustainable agriculture while indulging in mouthwatering food and meeting local farmers.

The festival offers visitors the chance to interact with sixteen top market garlic growers, showcasing their 2023 crop of premium seed stock and culinary delights. Attendees can purchase premium seed directly from the source, providing access to top-notch garlic for their gardens.

The Meet Your Farmer Stage showcases diverse farmers engaging in informal conversations about their operations and practices. Festival attendees can ask questions and gain insights into different farming approaches, fostering connections between the community and local growers.

The festival's Farmer VIP Program features farmers wearing "I'm a Farmer, Ask Me! buttons, fostering engaging conversations and knowledge exchange between attendees and farmers.

The Minnesota Grown Garlic Building features a booth resembling Lucy Van Pelt's Peanuts comics, The Garlic Grower Is In, where experts from commercial growers and university faculty provide cultivation advice for just 5-cents per question. The Garlic Growing Contest showcases the best garlic bulbs and encourages gardeners and farmers to compete for ribbons and bragging rights.

With tickets available at https://www.mngarlicfest.com/ or at the door, the Minnesota Garlic Festival promises a delightful day of flavors, friendships, and newfound knowledge about the state's incredible farmers. Come join the festivities, and you'll return home with a truly unique and aromatic experience!