Bossy Acres

This is the final post in a SGT series that looks at CSA -- community supported agriculture -- from the farmer's perspective.

This is the eighth post in a SGT series that looks at CSA -- community supported agriculture -- from the farmer's perspective.

This is the seventh post in a SGT series that looks at CSA -- community supported agriculture -- from the farmer's perspective.

This is the sixth post in a SGT series that looks at CSA -- community supported agriculture -- from the farmer's perspective.

This is the fifth post in a SGT series that looks at CSA -- community supported agriculture -- from the farmer's perspective.

This is the fourth post in a new SGT series that looks at CSA -- community supported agriculture -- from the farmer's perspective.

This is the third post in a new SGT series that looks at CSA — community supported agriculture — from the farmer's perspective. Also check out the the first post, Adventures in Farming, and the second post, Managing Expectations.

This is the second post in a new SGT series that looks at CSA — community supported agriculture — from the farmer's perspective. Also check out the first post, Adventures in Farming.

This is the first post in a new SGT series that looks at CSA – community supported agriculture – from the farmer’s perspective.

People come to farming from different directions. Some grow up on farms, lugging around seed bags and feed buckets just after their first steps, while others are drawn to the profession later in life, as if it's an avocation they can no longer resist. My partner, Karla Pankow, and I are definitely of the latter group. In 2011, we started our own farming venture, Bossy Acres, and kicked off our first full season last year.

It's getting to be that time of year when we're encouraged to buy, buy, buy. But when you're thinking about gifts this year, why not shop local? We've got a round-up of local gift suggestions in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota from our writers. There's something for everyone on your list, from hand-crafted goods like pottery and baskets to experiences like a night at a B&B to some real adventure in the form of python meat. And a couple of our writers/farmers -- Debbie at Sapsucker Farms and Elizabeth at Bossy Acres -- have products from their own farms available this holiday season. You can also check out last year's local gift guide for some perennial suggestions, and also some recipes if you want to do DIY gifts straight from your kitchen.