Join us at the historic Larson Hemsgard farm in Princeton, Minnesota for an afternoon of fun, educational activities celebrating the autumnal equinox. Walk the labyrinth, visit with the farm animals, sing along with local musicians, participate in nature-based activities, learn from crafters and artisans and much much more.

Meaningful nature-based recreational activities. Unforgettable Experiences. Lifelong learning.

Prairie Star Care Farm is where people with and without a defined need come together to reconnect to plants, nature, animals, and one another. Our customized destination services provide a vibrant setting where people are enriched through evidence-informed, nature-based recreation activities; innovative education; and community engagement events.

​Prairie Star Care Farm is a place where individuals, families, and groups can retreat from the daily grind and experience the healing power of nature. Our grounds, facilities and nature-based recreation activities encourage engagement with the natural world, enrich the senses, and educate while surrounded by nature.

We believe a relationship to nature is an essential right for all human health and wellbeing, and strive to provide a healing venue that is inclusive, accepting, and accessible to all. We are here to provide experiences to reconnect with what matters and inspire reciprocity with planet earth.

Music

11:00 - 12:00: Bob Leis

12:00 - 1:00: The ASI Spelmanslag

1:00 - 2:00: Phil Heywood

2:00 - 3:00: Cait Vitale-Sullivan

3:00 - 4:00: The Abiders

Discover New Ways of Knowing

You are invited to participate in the following scheduled mini-workshops during the event. These mini-workshops last between 30 - 60 minutes. Come by to relax and discover new ways to connect with the land.

11:00 - 12:00: Allissa Obler - Yoga

12:00 - 1:00: Asa Olson - Story Telling Circle

1:00 - 2:00: Cait Vitale - Sullivan - Kulning

2:00 - 3:00 : Edie Barrett - People, Prairie and Poetry

3:00 - 4:00: Lindsey Zemanek - Farm Therapy

Sheep Shearing

Many of you might think shearing sheep is exclusively a spring activity. Some animals, however, not only benefit from a fall shearing but actually need it. Our sheep are amongst long wooled sheep who need a 'hair-cut' in the fall. The sheep in our flock are primitive breeds who grow their wool fast and a fall shearing is required.
Join Adam and Svea at the sheep/goat pen 1:00 pm for a shearing demonstration.

1:00-3:30pm: Horse Carriage Rides

Sound Bath

Experience the powerful healing of sound with 'Broken Caterpillar' - a duo of Persian setar and percussion creating sound design inspired by nature - to restore body, mind, soul and spirit.

Time: 1:00 - 1:30, 2:00 - 2:30, 3:00 - 3:30

Engagement

There are so many fun, educational and entertaining ways to engage yourself at the event. Just find something you're interested in doing at anytime.

Activities

Wool Felting
Sandy, Allie and Mollie
Come participant and learn the magic of wool fiber coming together to make soft sculptures - all with just a little water and fleece.

Herb Bundles
Susi, Sarah and Mary
There will be a variety of herbs waiting for you at the raised garden beds where you can gather them into a little bundle to take and freshen your home.

Garden
Cindy, Heather and Paula
See for yourself how easy is it to grow just about anything in the raised garden bed. Garden tours happen throughout the day - just show up and dig in.

Horses
Ingrid and Kenz
Join in the fun of learning about horses, take part in a coloring activity, sit in a saddle, feel the parts of a bridle and race with the stick horses.

Labyrinth
Walking the labyrinth is an independently initiated activity where you can walk away your troubles with this moving meditation.

Tractor
Ricky
Neighboring farmer Ricky has brought his farm tractor to the event where you can climb inside and see how it is to work the land.

Learn New Things

Throughout the event you will find a variety of experts ready and able to share their knowledge. You can drop by at anytime to listen and learn from all our teachers.

Meet The Teachers
- Dan Gjertson
- John and Andrew Barthel
- Candy Barthel
- Karen Keenan
- Three Rivers Fiber Shed
- Get Bentz Farm
- Fresh Starts Farm
- Burning Daylight Draft Farm
- Egg/Plant Urban Farm Supply

Animals

A fundamental part of any farm are the animals. At Prairie Star Care Farm the animals are co-partners in the work of healing. We believe all animals - from the smallest insect to the largest draft horse - are sentient beings who communicate their feelings not with words, but with their senses. We make every effort to keep our animals welfare in the highest regard with safe spaces, comfort and room to explore.

Please be mindful of the animals when you are visiting staying outside their fences and not feeding.

Food

There will be limited food options for you at the event. We also encourage you to bring a picnic or there are a number of local restaurants in Cambridge and Princeton.

Care Farming

We use the term "Care Farm" (also known as social farming) because the land, animals and gardens are our partners who help promote health and wellbeing. The 'care farming' model comes from Europe, (beginning in the Netherlands around 1949) and has grown internationally since. No matter where you find a care farm you will find a common purpose of empowering whole person participation in farm-based recreational activities to benefit human wellbeing and planetary health.

Prairie Star Care Farm offers destination programming with opportunities for people seeking to enjoy the restorative experience of a farm. It is a place where people with and without a defined need come together to reconnect with nature, plants, animals, and one another. Connecting with nature makes us feel good and allows us the chance to move freely through and with our environment.

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