2995 Highway 3 | Two Harbors, Minnesota
Chelsea Morning Farm, Pop-Up Host
Cree & Jason Bradley
Chelsea Morning Farm, also doing business as Never Summer Sugarbush, is a diversified farm located in rural Two Harbors, operated by Cree and Jason Bradley, and Cree’s father, Joe Holtz. Enterprises include: vegetable with a Community Supported Agriculture market; maple syrup tapping 2,500 sugar maples; climate-smart tree seedlings; holiday balsam wreaths; a spring plant sale with an heirloom emphasis; and commercial herring fishing of Lake Superior.
The ideal of starting our own farm in 2006 was born while volunteering to prune an acre of raspberries at another farm. Sitting there, working with our hands, having the quiet peaceful space and fresh air around us, gave Cree and Jason plenty time to think, plan and process. The ideal of creating something that would lead to a “simple life” was compelling.
It only took a couple of years to understand that there is nothing simple about farming. A livelihood farm has required patience, tenacity, hard work, resilience, and gumption, allowing ourselves to celebrate the small wins and successes, while not getting too dismayed by the challenges, such as understanding complicated Ontanagon clay soil, the financial complexities, the heavy workload, and increasingly volatile weather. It requires a willingness to learn facets of science, biological monitoring and ecosystem processes, marketing, finances, and business management.
Farming has entailed life-long learning which hasn’t allowed us to grow complacent. There is a continued sense of wonder and curiosity as we learn and grow with enterprises. Farming connects us with our deepest held values, including diversity, aesthetic beauty, resourcefulness, deep relationships, stewardship of the land, connection to wildlands, authenticity, seasonal cycles, and more. Each enterprise shifts through different seasons of the year, grounding us in nature. Farming steadily reminds us of the preciousness of the living world around us and fosters a commitment towards the land.
Some images are cropped. Click on each photo to see the entire artwork. All images copyrighted & may not be reproduced without permission.
September 25, 26, & 27 