Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the CR Hops Farms Newsletter!

We are still navigating this crazy idea and experience, but we continue to learn, grow, and experiment every season. Our hope is that this newsletter becomes something people find useful, interesting, and maybe even a little inspiring as we share what’s happening around the farm.

As winter slowly loosens its grip here in Minnesota, we are chomping at the bit to get moving again on the farm. There’s always a lot of anticipation this time of year. We spend the colder months planning, repairing equipment, organizing supplies, and preparing for the busy growing season ahead. Now we’re watching closely for those first signs of life as plants begin to sprout, and the ground slowly warms up.

One of the big projects we’re preparing for right now is our spring tree planting season. We are currently gathering supplies and finalizing plans for seed and conetainer pick-up. For those unfamiliar, conetainers are the specialized containers used to grow young tree seedlings with deep root systems before they are transplanted into the ground. Getting the timing and logistics right is important so the seedlings stay healthy and ready for planting.

This whole tree-growing effort actually started as a pilot project with the University of Minnesota. The goal was simple but powerful: grow trees locally and plant them locally. By doing this, we help ensure that the trees are well suited to our local environment and climate conditions. It also helps strengthen local ecosystems and supports conservation efforts in our area.

What started as a small experiment has grown far beyond what we originally imagined. In our first year we grew roughly 500 trees. At the time, that felt like a big project for us. Since then, the program has expanded into a tree-growing cooperative (Climate Smart Trees), and today we are growing close to 15,000 trees. Watching this project grow has been incredibly rewarding, and we’re excited to see where it goes in the coming years.

Of course, every season brings new lessons. Tree growing is truly a year-round learning process. We’ve been working through everything from seed stratification the process of simulating winter conditions so seeds will germinate properly to overwinter storage, which helps protect young seedlings from the harsh Minnesota winters. Each step comes with its own challenges and discoveries.

And then there are the pests. If you’ve ever tried to keep squirrels out of a bird feeder, you know how determined they can be! Unfortunately, the same goes for protecting young tree seedlings. Between squirrels, mice, insects, and other critters, keeping the tiny trees safe can feel like an ongoing battle. Some days it feels like we’re winning… and other days it feels like the pests are a step ahead. But that’s part of farming and part of learning how to work with nature.

While we’re thinking about renewal on the farm, this time of year is also a great reminder for personal renewal. Just like we declutter our homes after a long winter, it can be helpful to take a little time to refresh our health and well-being too.

Spring is a great opportunity to reset habits, get outside more, move your body, and reconnect with nature. Whether that means gardening, taking walks, cleaning out old clutter, or simply spending more time outdoors, small changes can make a big difference in how we feel.

In this newsletter, we’ll also be sharing tips and ideas for spring cleaning your body, mind, and spirit, helping you step into the new season feeling refreshed and energized. Farming teaches us that growth doesn’t happen overnight it happens through consistent care, patience, and attention. The same idea applies to our own health and well-being.

As always, we truly appreciate everyone who follows along with our journey. This farm continues to grow thanks to the support, curiosity, and encouragement of people like you.

If you’d like to learn more about what we’re working on, upcoming projects, or ways to get involved, be sure to check out our website for more updates and information.

Thanks for being part of the CR Hops Farms community, and here’s to a great growing season ahead!