Start with the Next Step
Message from the Farm:
One of the biggest mistakes I have made when designing a garden, homestead, or backyard is believing I need to have the entire plan figured out before we begin. I’m a dreamer and planner. I like to think at 10- or 30-thousand feet.
Many of us stand at the edge of our property looking for the finished picture before we ever plant the first tree. But, as I’ve gleaned from working with Joel at Acres of Asher, nature rarely works that way.
In our fireside conversation with permaculture educator and builder Chad Johnson last October, he shared a concept he calls *Imagineering*—a process of dreaming, observing, experimenting, and allowing the land itself to participate in the design. Chad, who has studied under renowned Austrian farmer and permaculture pioneer Sepp Holzer, described how some of the most beautiful and productive landscapes emerge not from rigid blueprints but from a willingness to work alongside nature and remain curious.
That idea has stayed with me.
Whether you have ten acres or a small suburban backyard, Imagineering invites us to see our space differently. Instead of asking, "What should this become?" we can begin by asking, "What is already trying to happen here?"
Where does water naturally move after a rain? Which corner stays warm in the spring? Where do birds gather? What pathway do your feet naturally take when you walk outside? That might be the most important question for me. Or the most intriguing.
Imagineering isn't about creating a perfect backyard. It's about creating a backyard you enjoy being in. A place where you want to drink your morning coffee. A place where you enjoy working. A place where you slow down enough to notice the bees, the blossoms, and the changing seasons. A place where food is growing, but where beauty, wonder, and connection are growing too.
So, as much as I have been a grid-paper planner, I have also been known to move a plant around many times throughout its life!
The wonderful thing about regenerative design is that it doesn't require us to know the ending. We can start with one fruit tree, one garden bed, one sitting area, one experiment. The landscape teaches us as we go.
In a culture that often demands immediate results, nature offers a different invitation: begin, observe, adapt, and continue.
Last week, we realized a video about some dreaming Joel has been doing - both pre- and post-fire. We hope you’re inspired!
- Ryan Garvin, Acres of Asher Integrator
So with all of that said...
We encourage you to spend a little time Imagineering. Walk your backyard with fresh eyes. Dream a little. Sketch a few ideas. Plant something you've never grown before. Plant something that you like to walk by and EAT. Create a space that invites you outside.
The famous quote is: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now." The timeless proverb is a reminder that while it is easy to dwell on past delays or missed opportunities, it is rarely too late to start building for the future.
You don't need the master plan. You only need the next step.
While you’re at your local farmers market this weekend, pick up a new plant that you’d like to eat from or see in a specific part of your garden.
You can always move it!
From Soil Health to Pastured Poultry: A Conversation with Jonathan Kilpatrick of Red Lantern Ranch
What does regenerative agriculture actually mean in practice?
In this month's featured interview, we sit down with Jonathan Kilpatrick of Red Lantern Ranch near Alexandria, Minnesota. Jonathan wears many hats—farmer, educator, Farmer Education Director with the Sustainable Farming Association, and steward of a growing regenerative livestock operation.
Together, we explore everything from soil health and rotational grazing to pasture-raised poultry, livestock genetics, and the future of local food systems. Jonathan shares how Red Lantern Ranch grew from a small test batch of broilers into a thriving operation built around regenerative principles, family values, and a commitment to producing nutrient-dense food while improving the land.
One of the most compelling themes throughout the conversation is Jonathan's belief that farmers are ultimately in the energy business—capturing sunlight through healthy soils and productive grasslands to create food, restore ecosystems, and strengthen local communities.
Whether you're interested in regenerative agriculture, curious about where your food comes from, or simply want to hear from one of the thoughtful farmers helping shape the future of local food in Minnesota, this interview offers plenty of insight and encouragement.
Watch the full interview below
Find Red Lantern Ranch Chicken
Inspired by this conversation with Jonathan? Here are a few ways to bring Red Lantern Ranch chicken to your table:
Order Directly from Red Lantern Ranch
www.redlanternranch.com
Shop Locally in Fergus Falls
Find Red Lantern Ranch chicken at *Otto & Asher and Service Food Market.
*Hub & Spoke Community members receive 5% off at Otto & Asher when they present their member card.
Shop Through Acres of Asher
www.acresofasher.com/collections/red-lantern-ranch
Backyard Worship Night
Join us for an evening of music, fellowship, and community at Sower's Harvest Farm on Wednesday, July 9, at 7:00 PM.
Whether you share the Christian faith, are exploring it, or simply enjoy gathering with neighbors, you are welcome. Come as you are to enjoy live worship, meaningful conversation, and a peaceful summer evening on the farm. Bring a lawn chair, invite a friend, and help us celebrate the strength of community and connection. We look forward to spending the evening with you!
Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/
REMINDER: MEMBER CARDS NOW AVAILABLE
The Hub & Spoke Community Member Card is now available for download inside the Member Hub.
Otto & Asher is now accepting the card as proof of membership for 5% off all participating Hub & Spoke products they carry, including products from Acres of Asher and our growing network of partner farms.
Additional participating grocers and local businesses will be added over time as the network continues to grow.
Members, you can download your member card HERE.
**Please note that this is the first iteration of the Hub & Spoke Community Member Card as we continue building and refining the network. We appreciate your patience during this early stage and welcome your feedback as more participating farms, grocers, and local businesses are added.
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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