Stella Gardens & Farm

Stella Gardens is part of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI), a twenty-year-old learning center, 501(c)(3) working to revitalize our food and farming systems by reconnecting families to local, seasonally produced, safe, secure, healthy food. Stella Gardens instructs students from around the world in organic/biodynamic agriculture. The hands-on training classroom encompasses more than 600 acres and exposes students to vegetable, row crop, and dairy farming, as well as to beekeeping, orchard management, and environmental conservation. The classroom is managed by MFAI staff, who also give weekly agro-ecology lectures to the students. MFAI’s Garden Student Program is sowing the seeds to grow the next generation of family farmers.

Stella Gardens and Farm vegetable subscriptions provide subscribers with direct market access to certified organic, biodynamically grown, fresh produce distributed weekly to eight drop sites in southeastern Wisconsin (East Troy, downtown Milwaukee, west Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Hartland, Oconomowoc, Delavan and Waukesha) throughout the growing season. Subscribers receive a weekly supply of freshly harvested, high quality products; newsletters with recipes and garden information, opportunity to support the next generation of farmers, and an open invitation to visit or work at the farm.

Along with their wide assortment of veggies, Stella Gardens grows microgreens–usually sold to chefs–edible flowers, wheat grass, and wheat berries. The wheat berries are milled by Nokomis Organic Bakery, which mills the flour for its own bread and to sell.

Janet Gamble, shown here with a basket of cucumbers, is the garden student program director. Matt Zostchke is in charge of main vegetable production, and Tina Evans heads up marketing.

Why is growing organic a priority for your family?
Organic is the most sustainable choice for the earth and ourselves.

What is your favorite part of being an organic farmer?
Knowing that we’re working with—not against–the earth to grow beautiful, healthy food.

Why should people buy organic products instead of other options?
Organic is the healthiest choice for you and your family, as well as for the earth.

What makes your farm special?
We are a teaching farm. Adult students live and work on our farm through the growing season to learn organic farming. We’re teaching the next generation of farmers.

Where can consumers get your products?
Our produce is available at Health Hut in Brookfield, WI and Outpost Natural Food Stores in Wauwatosa and Milwaukee, WI.

Contact Stella Gardens at (262) 642-3303, ext. 111 to obtain a brochure or see their website at www.michaelfieldsaginst.org for more information.