Back in the late ’80s, as farms became larger and food more processed, Dan Guenther and Margaret Pennings found themselves among a growing community of people feeling disenfranchised from their food and its source. To combat this disconnect, they founded Common Harvest Farm and began their very own CSA.
Common Harvest, which was founded in 1989, was first located in Orono, MN, about two miles north of Lake Minnetonka. Then in 1994, Dan and Margaret’s farm land was sold for development. A year later they were invited by another CSA to rent land in western Wisconsin near Osceola. By 1997 they had purchased their own nearby farm with the financial help of many of their CSA members. 
The strong relationship they’ve built with their members continues to be at the heart of what Dan and Margaret do. They’re always striving to find new ways to involve members in the life and work of the farm.
Dan and Margaret are excited to welcome guests to their beautiful 40-acre farm atop the bluffs of the St. Croix River for our July 22 dinner. They’ll also be welcoming chefs Ben Pichler and Jim McIntosh from the Grand Cafe and chef Eric Sather from Bar La Grassa to cook an amazing meal from produce harvested that day; while Lucette Brewing Co. will be providing the beer. In addition, part of the purchase price will go toward supporting Harvest for the Hungary.
For ticket information, click here.
Megan Dorn
