New Year - New Mercies
Message from the Farmer: Refining Fire
On New Year’s Day, as the calendar turned and hopes were forming, our farm faced a refining fire. In a matter of hours, we lost our entire mealworm operation and the machine shed that housed so many tools of our daily work—the combine, the seed cleaner, two hay balers, and much more. It was a sobering way to begin a new year. And yet, in the midst of the loss, mercy was unmistakably present: no livestock animals were lost. Our flock of egg-laying hens remains fully intact, a daily reminder that provision continues even when plans are disrupted.
Farming has never been about control. It is a continual response to variables—weather, markets, pests, failures, and sometimes fire. Some of those variables bring abundance; others bring deep difficulty. But the calling remains the same: to respond with trust and thankfulness, not entitlement, bitterness, or discouragement. We believe we are stewards, not owners, of the skills, tools, land, and resources the Lord has entrusted to us. When something is taken away, it does not change who He is or His faithfulness.
There are real questions to address as we move forward, and rebuilding will require wisdom, patience, and community. Still, we choose not to look back in despair, but ahead in hope. As you will hear in Ryan’s interview with Rachel Beckmann in this month’s membership content, weeds and brokenness are simply part of life this side of heaven. This new year, we are striving to choose gratefulness.
We invite you to look ahead to 2026 with that same vision—eyes forward, hands open, hearts anchored in trust.
— Joel Haugen, Acres of Asher Owner & Visionary
Exclusive Interview
In this month’s exclusive interview, we sit down with Rachel Beckmann—a gardener, writer, musician, and mother whose reflections on weeds in a Facebook post (linked below) sparked a conversation far deeper than the soil.
Rachel invites us into the garden as a place of formation, where weeds, pests, and loss are not interruptions, but teachers. Through liturgical observation—tying the sensory and mundane to the sacred—she explores what it means to live without being surprised by opposition, to endure without becoming demoralized, and to tend faithfully whether life feels like a flourishing garden or a cut-down stump.
This conversation is about dignity in endurance, beauty that appears without warning, and hope that stays rooted below the frost line—even when nothing visible is growing above it.
Read the Facebook post that inspired this conversation.
Gatherings that Strengthen Our Community
Sound Mind: The Gospel & Mental Health
Hosted at The Naz Church, this half-day gathering invites honest conversation about depression, anxiety, and caring for both mind and spirit. Pastor and licensed counselor Joe White will lead teaching and discussion centered on how mental health fits within our spiritual journey.
When: January 24 | 8:30 AM–12:00 PM (Breakfast served 8:30–9:00 AM)
Who: Adults and students 8th grade and up (Childcare available)
If you or someone you love is navigating anxiety, stress, or emotional challenges, this morning is designed to equip, encourage, and remind you that you’re not alone. Register HERE.
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OtterCare Community Initiative Focus Group
Your voice matters as OtterCare works to shape systems that better serve our entire community. This focus group—held at the Fergus Falls Public Library—is an opportunity for residents to share ideas, concerns, and priorities.
Community members are invited to help inform policies, pricing, and offerings for customers, creators, farmers, and sellers, with the goal of building a model that reaches and includes as many residents as possible—helping create a community where every person can thrive.
When: January 21 | 6:30 PM
Click HERE for more information.
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Not in the Fergus Falls area? We’d love to highlight meaningful events in your community—reach out to us HERE.
A Minnesota Table
This month's recipe comes from Jessica Krohn, a member of the Acres of Asher team, and it's a true Minnesota staple. Her Beef Wild Rice Soup highlights the rich, hearty flavor of Acres of Asher Beef Stew Meat paired with Minnesota-grown wild rice for a comforting bowl that feels right at home on a winter table.
For an even deeper, more nourishing flavor, this soup is especially good when made with homemade beef bone broth. Simmering Acres of Asher Soup Bones into a slow, mineral-rich broth adds a depth that brings the whole dish together.
→ Acres of Asher Beef Stew Meat
→ Acres of Asher Soup Bones
Simple ingredients. Local roots. A recipe meant to be shared.
Give the Gift of Regeneration!
Looking for a meaningful gift? Share the Acres of Asher experience with a Membership Gift Certificate — a perfect way to connect someone you love to our regenerative, community-driven farm. Members enjoy exclusive discounts, special content, behind-the-scenes updates, and early access to farm events and promotions.
It’s simple to give — they’ll redeem online and receive their member apparel, savings, and all the perks of being part of our growing community.
Together, we’re cultivating a more sustainable future.
Visit acresofasher.com to purchase a Membership Gift Certificate today!
Order From the Farm in 3 Easy Steps:
1. Shop: Browse our eggs, beef, and more at acresofasher.com
2. Add & Checkout: Click “Add to Cart”, enter your info and pay.
3. Enjoy: Get your farm-fresh order shipped or ready for pickup!
Bonus: Join our membership for exclusive discounts and farm updates.
Welcome New Members!
If you recently joined our farm community but didn’t get your Welcome Email, don’t worry! Sometimes it ends up in your Spam or Promotions
Here’s what you can do:
- Check your inbox: Look in Spam/Promotions just in case.
- Need it resent? Simply reply to this email, and we’ll re-send your welcome email right away.
- Add us to your contacts or safe sender list so you don’t miss any updates.
- Missed your one-time member code? It will be included in the welcome email.
- Invite friends: Share the love with your personal referral link included in the welcome email.
We’re excited to have you at the farm table!
Join as a Member!
Now’s the perfect time to become an Acres of Asher member! Enjoy exclusive benefits, inspiring gatherings, and a community that shares your values.
Refer a friend!
Get a 3% discount for every friend you refer who signs up too.
Grow your roots with us—and invite someone to benefit alongside you….
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