TWIN CITIES METRO GROWERS NETWORK

What's the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network?

We bring together growers in and around the Twin Cities who grow production-scale fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops and who seek to share knowledge, networking and collaboration. We organize farm tours, learning events and social meet-ups. Whether you grow for market, personal or community use, or want to learn what’s growing in your neighborhood, this group is for you!


The Twin Cities Metro Growers Network is a networking group of the Sustainable Farming Association, and is coordinated in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Extension in Hennepin County.


Info: Lia Spaniolo, University of Minnesota Extension, spaniolo@umn.edu

Learn about Lia here.

Upcoming Events

Community Garden Bus Tour

Wednesday, September 16  |  9:15 AM - 3:00 PM
Minneapolis, Minn.

Join the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network on a bus tour of Minneapolis community gardens! Learn from garden managers how they grow these beautiful, productive and engaging spaces that bring people together to feed people. Each garden is organized and operated a little differently. We hope that you come away with a variety of new ideas that you can use to develop or strengthen community gardens in your own neighborhoods.


Please arrive between 9:00 and 9:15 AM to FairShare Farm. The bus will depart at 9:30 AM. The bus will return to this location around 2:00 PM, when we will tour FairShare Farm. The event will end at 3:00 PM.


Garden stops include:
-Hennepin Avenue United Methodist | Loring Park
-Rose’s Garden (with Minneapolis Edible Boulevards) | East Phillips
-Bridal Veil Gardens | Prospect Park
-FairShare Farm | Como


Registration: It is free to attend! Please indicate when you register whether you will be riding the bus or organizing your own transportation. Advance registration is required if you plan to ride the bus so that we can make sure everyone has a seat.


Getting there: We will begin our day at FairShare Farm: 2198 SE Fairmount St. Minneapolis, MN 55414. Ample street parking is available in the neighborhood, and the farm is .1 mile away from a Route 3 bus stop at Como Ave SE and 22nd SE.


What if I can't attend the whole day? You are welcome to join us at the stops separately and use your own transportation. Addresses and the full schedule will be sent to those registered when the exact times are finalized. Please indicate when you register whether you will be riding the bus or organizing your own transportation.


What about lunch? We will eat lunch around 11:45-12:45 at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist. Lakewinds Food Co-op has generously donated boxed lunches, and you can order one when you register for the tour. Boxed lunch orders must be placed by Thursday, September 10. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch!


What should I bring? We recommend bringing a water bottle, and to dress for the weather! You might also consider bringing your own camp chair if you'd like to sit during the tours. There is not seating available at every garden.


For accessibility questions or requests, please contact Lia Spaniolo, spaniolo@umn.edu.


Info: Katie Feterl, katie@sfa-mn.org


This event is funded in part through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture AGRI Urban Agriculture grant. Thank you to Minnesota Farmers Union and Lakewinds Food Co-op for sponsoring this event!


Blog posts

Urban Roots Farm Tour and Soil Discussion

By SFA of MN • October 23, 2023
Twin Cities Metro Growers Network event, September 11, 2023 Writing and photos by Lia Spaniolo, University of Minnesota Extension Educator “Prepping the beds” and “harvesting” are Nana’s and Malachi’s responses when asked about their favorite farming activity on the farm. They both are youth interns who work at Urban Roots, a non-profit organization based on… The post Urban Roots Farm Tour and Soil Discussion appeared first on Sustainable Farming Association.

TC Growers Farm Tour is Sept. 11 at Urban Roots Rivoli Bluffs Farm

By SFA of MN • August 30, 2023
Join us for an educational tour and reunite with the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network for our last event of 2023, set for 3:30-6 p.m. Mon., Sept. 11, at Urban Roots Rivoli Bluffs Farm, 749 Arkwright St, St. Paul. Take a guided walking tour and learn from Market Garden Farm Manager Skyler Hawkins and youth… The post TC Growers Farm Tour is Sept. 11 at Urban Roots Rivoli Bluffs Farm appeared first on Sustainable Farming Association.

Networking Groups Welcome Lia Spaniolo

By SFA of MN • July 24, 2023
SFA is pleased to welcome Lia Spaniolo from the University of Minnesota Extension as our collaborator in coordinating two of our networking groups! Lia will work with us to co-lead the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network and Ecological Service Livestock Network. Keep a look out for events this fall with both networks. And, a special… The post Networking Groups Welcome Lia Spaniolo appeared first on Sustainable Farming Association.

Kernza Ale Taste & Tour

By SFA of MN • March 15, 2023
Enjoy a brew and take a tour with your friends at the Twin Cities Metro Growers Network at Finnegans! Join the TC Growers on a brewery tour featuring Finnegans’ new Buckwheat Honey Brown Kernza Ale on Thursday, March 30, 4:30-7:30 PM. Minnesota farmers and researchers are at the forefront of developing Kernza, a perennial wheatgrass with… The post Kernza Ale Taste & Tour appeared first on Sustainable Farming Association.

We want to hear from you!

To help shape our events and program offerings in 2026 and beyond, we want to hear about how you grow, your educational interests, and goals for the future.


Farmers, gardeners, ag service providers, and supportive community members are encouraged to complete the survey. Even if you haven't come to an event yet, your feedback is valuable!


After completing the survey, you will be offered the opportunity to enter into a drawing to win one of three $50 Visa gift cards.

Two great educational videos from UM Extension Horticulturist Natalie Hoidal:

Soil Health On A Small Scale: Cover Crops for Gardeners

Testing for lead in a garden:

Urban Farming Resources

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