The Greener Pastures 2021 Regenerative Gift Guide

This holiday season, we're sharing our recommendations for humane, sustainable, regenerative gifts from the Upper Midwest so you can gift with your values in mind. Continue scrolling for our gift ideas!

Text + Formatting by Sarah Wescott. Original Images by Sarah Carroll.

 
 

Want to explore the guide in PDF form?

 
 

What is Regenerative?

In contrast to conventional agriculture, regenerative agriculture rebuilds and replenishes the land. The main principles of regenerative agriculture are:

  • Maintains the soil structure and health.

  • Protects soil from heat and drought.

  • Prevents soil, air, and water pollution.

  • Feeds and locks nutrients in the soil.

  • Mimics nature and rebuilds habitat.

  • Imitates forest and grassland ecosystems.

 

Anchored in traditional and indigenous food systems, these practices protect the environment for current and future generations.

The gifts in this guide support regenerative agricultural production on small family-owned farms in the Upper Midwest.

 

Trust Comes First

None of the products included in this guide were gifts or paid promotions. We tried them and liked them so much that we think you should try them, too. We have no financial incentive to recommend these products.

Allergens: gluten-free (GF), nut-free (NF), dairy-free (DF), vegan (V), vegetarian (VG).

 
 

Savor - Embrace the flavor of local with food-centered gifts.

Keepsake Cidery

Hard Cider

Try: 2020 Orchard Reserve

Using organic apples and wild yeast, Tracy & Nate Jonkman create uniquely Midwestern hard cider on their family-run farm in Northfield, MN. They offer local meats, cheeses, breads, and cider tastings on site.

GF, NF, DF, V, VG

 

Cannon Valley Butcher’s Block

Butchery Classes

Try: Sausage Making Class

Farmer Sarah Scheub uses rotational grazing & organic grains to raise heritage pigs while offering butchery services. In her classes, gain hands-on butchery experience and go home with richly-flavored, pastured meat.

GF, NF, DF

Shepherd’s Way Farms

Sheep’s Cheese

Try: Puzzle and Cheese Party Kit

Raising sheep on fresh pasture and high-quality hay & grains, Steven and Jodi Ohlsen-Read produce mouthwatering cheeses that take ethical practices to a new level. Their award-winning cheeses are a must-try!

GF, NF, VG

 

Warm Fields Farm

Canned Sauces

Try: Golden Sun Salsa

Using organic practices, minimal tillage, and her high tunnel, Lisa Mueller cultivates a bounty of peppers and tomatoes throughout the summer months which she uses for her deeply-flavored, jarred salsas.

GF, NF, DF, V, VG

 
 

Flourish - Brighten a loved one’s holiday with some floral inspiration.

Stone Hearth Farm

Flowers

Try: Naturally Dried Floral Wreath

Caitlyn Bell and John Wiederhoeft use sustainably grown and wild-foraged grapevines, flowers, and foliage to create custom dried wreaths. Their practices protect pollinators & provide livestock humane living conditions.

GF, NF, DF, V, VG

Sacred Blossom Farm

Herbal Tea

Try: 4 Item Gift Box

Tony DiMaggio hand produces loose-leaf teas without pesticides, fertilizers, or flavor additives. His small batches make for rich, locally-sourced flavors that are sure to keep you warm all winter long.

GF, NF, DF, V, VG

 

Kinney Mini Farms

Microgreens

Try: Microgreens Grow Kit

Lisa Kinney uses hemp and jute mats, GMO-free organic seeds, and recyclable plastic to grow nutrient-dense microgreens. Try the grow-your-own kit to sprout microgreens at home- toss atop salads, soups, & more!

GF, NF, DF, V, VG

 

Pamper - Treat yourself this winter with an at home spa-like experience.

Rhubarb Botanicals

Herbal Tinctures

Try: Resilience Herbal Tincture

Rhubarb Botanicals is a medicinal & culinary herb farm & farm-to-bottle apothecary. Emma Barber grows herbs using organic methods, tends and harvests by hand, and transforms them into potent therapeutics with intention.

GF, NF, DF, V, VG

Homestead Wisconsin

Body Creams

Try: Face and Body Tallow Cream

Brit McCoy's regenerative practices focus on 'waste' products & using the whole animal. Her cosmetics feature grass-fed, hormone-free, & humanely raised beef tallow. Stop by for floral classes, farm dinners, and open houses.

GF, NF, DF

 

First Draft Farms

Hair Care

Try: Shampoo and Conditioner Bar

Farming partners Katy and Lindsey create luscious low-waste hair and body products. Their products have minimal ingredients, reduce pesticides use, and come in recycled and recyclable packaging.

GF, NF, DF, V, VG

 
 

Nest - Cozy up this winter with ethically produced fiber products.

Autumn Larch Farm

Wool

Try: Wool Dryer Balls

Jane Hansen rotationally grazes sheep year-round, investing in pollinators, solar, compost, & natural dyes. Her dryer balls are plastic & fragrance-free, and gentle on skin & clothes. For knitters, she offers yarn and roving.

GF, NF, DF, VG

Get Bentz Farm

Woolen Products

Try: Wool Lap Blanket and Pillow

Theresa and Jake Bentz's Icelandic sheep enjoy daily access to wooded & grassy pastures. A snout-to-tail operation, they sell woolen products, meat, and skulls, They sheer, mill, and dye right on their Northfield farm.

GF, NF, DF, VG

 

A Woolen Forest

Woolen Products

Try: Indigo Dyed Zero Waste Tea Towels

In Kenyon, MN, Alejandra Sanchez conserves endangered rotationally-grazed heritage sheep breeds and ancient textile practices. She dyes with farm-grown plants & offers classes on natural dyes and spinning.

GF, NF, DF, VG

Seelye Brook Farm

Woolen and Meat Products

Try: Sheepskin Accent Rug

To restore oak savannah and build soil health, Karen and Randy Kleinman rotationally graze heritage-breed sheep on pasture year-round. They plant trees, protect pollinators, and diversify their pastures.

GF, NF, DF

 

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