It doesn’t matter if you are a Copper Country local or a visiting Michigander just admiring the Upper Peninsula, North Harvest CSA Farm’s Tuesday on-farm stand is a must visit destination. Their stand includes a wide variety of fresh vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, onions, peppers, squash, herb, berries and more. They also offer apple cider vinegar, fresh baked sourdough bread, jam, honey and soaps.
Jake and Ashley TenHarmsel co-own North Harvest CSA Farm which is located on their property, 26262 Tikkanen Road in Calumet, less than 20 minutes from Houghton. The stand is open every Tuesday from 3-6pm through mid October. They currently accept cash or check for payment.
Ashley and Jake met in 2007 while working at a flower production greenhouse in Kalamazoo, Michigan. During the fall of 2009, the pair traveled to Missiones, Argentina where they attended Mama Roja, a sustainable living institute. For two months, they developed their knowledge about organic gardening, seed saving, adobe building, and many other sustainable practices.
In the spring of 2011, they moved to Silt, Colorado where they apprenticed at Peach Valley CSA. It was there that they learned how to grow vegetables on a several acre scale, raise hens for egg production and how to run a CSA. The following season, they worked at Early Morning Orchard where they gained experience on managing orchards and growing produce for several markets. After being away for some time, the pair decided to come home and put their education and passion into growing fresh and healthy food in the Keweenaw.
They started North Harvest CSA Farm in 2013 and continue to work hard to bring high quality, fresh produce to the community. You’ll often see them featured on a Milly’s weekly pizza special, and they are a participating farm in the Portage Health Foundation Collaborative CSA program.
A visit to the farm stand is highly recommended if you want first dibs for the freshest produce and bread, and just the overall experience of taking a drive to get to know the folks in the food system. If you can’t make it to the farm, find their produce at the Main Street Calumet Farmers Market, happening Saturdays from 10am – 2pm located at the ‘green space’ on 5th Street, a few lots before Bucko’s Party Store. On Thursday nights, you can also visit the Hancock Tori and Farmers Market from 3-6pm on the Quincy Green in Hancock.
You can follow along with North Harvest CSA Farm on social media to learn more about their farming practices, baking skills and how to support them. You can find them on Facebook or Instagram or visit their website.
Alex Palzewicz is the Upper Peninsula Local Food Coordinator for Taste the Local Difference and keeps North Harvest CSA Apple Cider Vinegar stocked in her pantry for quick salad dressings and slaws!