Our Story: In 1996 when our 5 year-old daughter started having medical problems due to a heart defect, it was time for mom to look for a new job in order to stay closer to home. Gazing out our window at 23 acres of woodland, wetland, and fallow land (aka weeds); it didn't take long to formulate a vision based on an old, dusty dream. Hubby Cris had a tractor, we had the land and the dream started to unfold. Today, Heath Glen Organic Farm consists of 5 acres of berries, herbs and vegetables surrounded by 19 acres of orchard, woodland and wetland. The fruits of our labor are sold primarily at the St. Paul Farmer's Markets from May to December. We bring a fresh product to market that is locally grown, pesticide-free and herbicide-free, and harvested only at its peak.

In 2005, the same daughter that turned mom into a farmer, decided some jellies for her PBJ sandwiches would be nice to take to swim practice. We had a bumper crop of fruit that year so I went a little overboard trying all kinds of pepper, wine and fruit jellies. The preserves have been so popular at market, and I enjoy the creativity of preserve-making so much, that we have now added a commercial kitchen to our farm and extended our seasonal business to a year-round business. So that is my story of how I went from a white collar state employee--to a truck farmer--to a foodie! We are a small family business, and although we are growing the business to supply a larger demand, we will always keep the artisinal quality you can only get out of using fresh-picked produce and making the preserves in very small batches. The aim of our products, our business, and our family in general is to reach that elusive goal of "a perfect balance."

Check out our Mill City market menu, featuring Heath Glen's Kitchen berries.