Upper Midwest Garlic Growers
Welcome commercial growers and home gardeners who want to interact with the garlic growing community.
This group is an association of garlic growers in the Upper Midwest who have joined together to learn from each other through networking and events, and to promote garlic growing and sales in our region.
If you would like to join this group, or for more information, please contact: Jerry Ford, garlicgrowers@sfa-mn.org, 763-244-6659


Garlic Growers Gathering
Saturday, June 21, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Prime Avenue Farm
Field at MN Hwy 24 & 330th St, Meeker County
And at 32404 683rd Avenue, Watkins, MN 55389
Pre-registration is required.
Join us for an informal gathering of garlic growers at Mark Anema and Kate Ritger’s farm near Watkins, MN.
We’ll visit a garlic field, hear from Dr. Carl Rosen on the University’s new Aster Yellows research project, and have some social time.
First, we’ll congregate at their garlic patch, which doesn’t have a street address, though you will find it by turning west onto 330th St from Minnesota Hwy 24, between Kimball and Litchfield, in Meeker County. Look for the SFA sign and the cars parked on the south side of 330th Street.
As with all our SFA field days, this will be an honest and candid look at the practices and challenges. For example, there is no water supply at this field where 10,000 cloves were planted last fall.
After we take a look at the garlic patch, we’ll caravan 1.5 miles to the farmstead for some social time and garlic talk.
The address there is 32404 683rd Avenue, Watkins, MN 55389.
Bring a lawn chair if you can, and we’ll provide beverages and light snacks.
Prime Avenue Farm has been growing garlic for 7 years, narrowing their focus to two varieties: Music and Deerfield Purple. They are a featured grower at the Minnesota Garlic Festival, and recently appeared in a story on MN Public Radio.
A cherry orchard, a flock of Icelandic sheep, a vegetable garden, and conservation practices round out the farm operation.
This is a free event.
Pre-registration is required.
Do that HERE or email Jerry Ford at jerry@sfa-mn.org to make your reservation.
We do this so that we can inform you if there are changes.
This is a 201 – 301 level event and may not be appropriate for those not yet growing garlic.
Inherent Risks of Agritourism Inherent Risks of Livestock Activity


Garlic Bloat Nematode Testing Begins June 10, 2025
We've been working for years now to control the spread of this devastating disease in garlic. Seed garlic buyers regularly ask growers if they're doing this test. It's required in order to have a listing in the Garlic Directory, and for featured growers at MN Garlic Festival.
Testing through the U of M Plant Disease Clinic can be done from June 10th through harvest. Cost is $50 per sample.
Learn about the procedure HERE.
Download a Test Submission Form HERE.
Minnesota Garlic Festival
Saturday, August 9, 2025
McLeod County Fairgrounds, Hutchinson
Garlic Festival Official Website
Featuring 17 of the finest growers with the best of their 2025 crop for seed and table.
Questions? Please contact Jerry Ford, jerry@sfa-mn.org

Growing Garlic in Minnesota
The new Extension publication, "Growing Garlic in Minnesota," is now available. It is a thorough compilation of information from the University and the Minnesota Premium Garlic Project.

The 2025 directory will come out in August.
All have tested negative for Garlic Bloat Nematode (GBN), and are members of the Sustainable Farming Association.


The Minnesota Premium Garlic Project
The Minnesota Premium Garlic Project enhances profitability for existing and new farmers by improving premium garlic production in Minnesota through the advancement of best production and marketing practices, and by expanding markets and supply chains and conducting research on improved cultivation methods.
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Virtual Farm Tour of 5 Sisters Organics
Virtual Garlic Field Day at Coffman Garlic & Apples
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