Posted: 9/20/06
Gilbertson Farm offers support to the troops in Iraq
Abby Nadeau
Community Editor
With the coming of fall, area farmers open their fields to all the produce the season has to offer.
For the Gilbertsonís Farm in Scandia fall not only means pumpkins, sweet corn and squash, but it also means a decorative corn maze, preserves and hayrides.
The Gilbertsonís, Annette, Gary, Mark, Melissa and Carol, have been serving area residents their homegrown sweet corn for over 20 years.
Now the family is expanding to open their farm to the public for a corn maze, a pedal go cart track, crafters and duck races, as well as other produce like potatoes, peppers and roasted corn.
And special this fall is a ìSalute to Our Troopsî fund raiser on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to dusk.
Melissa Gilbertson, 27, is currently serving the US in Tallil, Iraq.
Melissa is an ambulance platoon leader who provides a large amount of medical support with soldiers and Iraq natives. She left Minnesota with the other 2600 soldiers that were deployed in the spring of 2005.
In honor of Melissa and other soldiers around Minnesota, the Gilbertsonís are donating a portion of the days proceeds to the Minnesota National Guard Local Family Support Group.
ìA portion of the proceeds will go to the troops in many ways,î Annette Gilbertson said. ìEither through welcome home parties, sending packages to troops abroad or to help with families who have special needs.î
Area residents who come to the Gilbertson farm on Saturday are also able to sign a banner that will be delivered to Melissa and others in her company.
ìItís a large thank you,î Annette said. ìThank you for serving and fighting for our freedom.î
The banner will be sent to Co C 134th BSB.
The celebration on Saturday is not only for the troops, but it is the grand opening for the corn maze.
This year, the corn maze is in the shape of the US flag, with all 50 stars.
The Farm
While the corn maze is in its second year, the Gilbertsonís have been selling bedding plants for the last six years, and recently the family has opened a gift shop.
The farm is open seven days a week from May through October.
The Gilbertsonís gift shop features arts and crafts from many local residents, as well as home grown preservatives, butter and relish.
Soy candles, bird houses, fall decorations and gnomes are just a few of the additional items that can be found in the gift shop barn, that was built in 1917.
The farm has activities for people of all ages. Children can enjoy the pedal tractors, the corn box and duck races, while adults can challenge their scavenger skills in the corn maze.
For more information about the Gilbertsonís farm call 651-433-2227 or visit their web site at www.gilbertsonfarms.com.
The farm is open daily 9 a.m. to dusk, from May through October.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605