“To me the farm isn’t just a place where great food is grown. We know how it has been taken care of, fertilized, etc. It is fresh, not sitting in a truck, on a shelf for weeks prior to buying. You can taste the difference! It is also a place to socialize with the rest of the community. See friends you havent seen for awhile. It brings a lot of laughter and joy to people who come there. I like to stay a little longer just for the smiles on peoples faces. ”
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The Ag Department was created in 2017 with the initial goal of food sovereignty for the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe by growing fresh, affordable produce on the reservation.
From the Earth started as a half-acre learning farm for community members to come and learn sustainable and traditional ways of growing food. In our first year of growing, 4,250 pounds of food was harvested.
Fast-forward to 2026, the farm has grown to 6 acres with 3 high tunnels to extend growing seasons. Over 19,000 pounds of produce was harvested that was shared with community through our CSA Farm-Box program, weekly Farm Market, partnerships with SMC Community Health, the Tribal Elder Food Box Program, and donations to SMC Elder and Child Care Facilities.
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We have been working with community members to track down seeds indigenous to the community. We have been growing, preserving and seed saving from these varieties to grow a seed collection that can be shared throughout the community.
There are seed saving gardens throughout the community to eliminate the risk of cross-pollination, so we can keep these seeds in their purest form.
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Part of our food sovereignty efforts at the farm is to help the community grow their own food.
Throughout the growing season, we provide classes on gardening techniques, harvesting and storage of food items. There are also classes that provide lessons on cooking healthy and food preservation with produce that has been harvested from the garden.
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Or dreams are becoming a reality! Our new Farm Building construction is complete and we are growing into this new space. This will become the central hub for the Ag Department. We are so grateful for the space to grow and share for the community.
2019 / Year 1 at the farm
1/2 acre /// 4,250 lbs. of produce
2026 /
Year 8 at the farm
6 acres /// 19,273 lbs. of produce
2026
Wednesday Farm Market Begins
July 1st from 11:30am-4:30pm
“Thank you for helping our tribe achieve heathy, culturally-relevant, environmentally-friendly food security!!!!”
““Xwat-Anushiik / A Big Thank You for all of the hard work and love that the garden staff puts into this essential service to our Tribe!”
Location
Farm Location: N7534 Maple Road Bowler, WI 54416
Office Location: N8502 MohHeConNuck Rd Bowler, WI 54416
Contact Us!
(715) 793-3031
maria.duits@mohican-nsn.gov