By Lisa Viger Gotte
If you’re looking for a fun, free, educational, and delicious way to celebrate fall, the Third Annual Tantre Farm Honeybee Nut Festival in Ann Arbor is the place to be on Sunday Ocotber 8th.
Nestled on 160 acres of rolling hills and woodland in Ann Arbor, Tantre Farm is a small, family-owned farm that has been operating for over 20 years. The farm, owned by Richard and Deb Lenz, is known for its commitment to sustainable agriculture. The festival is an excellent opportunity for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the farm, to learn about sustainable growing methods and ideas, and to learn about the region’s unique local foods and flavors.
One of the festival’s planned activities features the delightful pawpaw, a little-known fruit native to the eastern United States that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Marc Boone, owner of one of the only cultivated pawpaw orchards in Michigan and a Michigan Nut & Fruit Growers Association member, will be on hand at the festival to share his knowledge about pawpaws, their cultivation, and unique flavor and texture.
Pawpaws have a sweet, tropical flavor that is often compared to bananas, mango, and pineapple. They’re not commonly found in grocery stores due to their short shelf life and delicate nature. At the Honeybee Nut Festival, visitors can taste fresh pawpaws and learn about their cultivation and history in the region.
The fun and educational festival offers a range of activities and demonstrations related to local foods and nature. The hickory nut milk demonstration, which showcases the process of making nutritious and flavorful milk from hickory nuts, and the wild nut hike are led by Shawn Severance, Washtenaw County Parks Naturalist. Severance will take visitors on a guided hike through the woods to learn about the different types of nuts that grow in the region and their ecological importance.
The hickory nut milk making demonstration is a hands-on activity at the Honeybee Nut Festival that showcases the process of making hickory nut milk. A local expert leads visitors through soaking and blending hickory nuts to create a rich and creamy milk. The demonstration highlights the nutritional benefits of hickory nuts and provides visitors with a delicious and healthy alternative to dairy milk. Visitors can sample the milk and take home the recipe to try making it themselves.
For those interested in foraging and wild foods, the festival also features an acorn flour demonstration and nature discovery walk with Rachel Mifsud, founder of Will Forage for Food. Mifsud shares her expertise on the many uses of acorns and other wild foods in cooking and foraging and leads a nature walk to explore the unique flora and fauna of the area.
The acorn flour demonstration teaches visitors how to make flour from acorns—a nutritious and versatile ingredient in many recipes. Mifsud will guide visitors through collecting and preparing acorns, grinding them into flour, and using the flour in various dishes. Visitors can sample dishes made with acorn flour and learn about the benefits of incorporating wild foods into their diets.
From Mike Levine of Nature and Nurture Seeds, visitors can learn about sustainable agriculture and the importance of seed-saving and genetic diversity. Levine shares his expertise on seed-saving and the importance of preserving rare and heirloom seed varieties to promote biodiversity and protect our food system. He will also discuss perennial polyculture agroecology.
Perennial polyculture agroecology is a sustainable farming system that involves growing a wide range of perennial crops in diverse and ecologically rich landscapes. This approach seeks to replicate natural ecosystems and reduce reliance on inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. Perennial polyculture agroecology benefits biodiversity, soil health, and resilience in the face of environmental challenges. It is also economically and socially useful for farmers by reducing vulnerability to market fluctuations and providing various unique and high-quality products.
Enjoy the bonfire and the delicious taste and aroma of fresh chestnuts roasted in a pan over the open flames, giving them a rich, smoky flavor perfect for the fall season. Pick some red raspberries and experience the camaraderie. The festival provides a space for people to connect with like-minded individuals, share knowledge, and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. It’s a perfect way to spend a fall day with friends and family while celebrating nature’s bounty.
The Tantre Farm Honeybee Nut Festival highlights the importance of sustainable and thoughtful agriculture. The farm uses various techniques to promote soil health, reduce erosion, and minimize the use of chemicals. They practice crop rotation, use cover crops, and employ natural pest management strategies. Visitors to the festival can learn about these techniques and how they help to preserve the environment and promote healthy food and a healthy planet.
One of the unique features of Tantre Farm is its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Members of the program receive a weekly share of fresh, organic produce during the growing season. The CSA model is a way for consumers to support local farmers and get access to high-quality, fresh produce. Visitors can learn more about the CSA program at the festival and even sign up to become a member just in time for Tantre Farm’s fall Immune Boosting share and Thanksgiving share.
The Tantre Farm Honeybee Nut Festival is a delightful way to experience the beauty and bounty of the region and learn about the vital role of local agriculture and nature in our lives. The festival is family-friendly and offers something for everyone, from educational talks and demonstrations to delicious local foods and hands-on activities. Whether you’re a foodie, a nature lover, or just looking for a fun fall outing, the Tantre Farm Honeybee Nut Festival is not to be missed.
Visit Tantre Farm on Sunday, October 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Nut Festival. The farm is located at 5700 Scio Church Road in Ann Arbor. Check out their website for a full schedule of events and other information at tantrefarm.com. Please, dress for the weather, including warm clothes and gloves. Bring snacks and water bottles and supervise children as appropriate. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Shelter will be available in the farm’s timber frame barn, and tea and hot cider will be provided. This is a drug and alcohol-free event.
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