Alternative Roots Farm

About us

Alternative Roots Farm is a certified organic family farm and orchard offering organic apples, apple products, perennial produce, winter greens and more through farmers market, an on-farm store, direct sales and wholesale.
We are passionate about bringing fresh, nutritious, quality produce to our local community; as well as growing nutritious food in a way that is in harmony with nature and conservation-minded.
The farm sits on 5 lovely acres in rural Madelia, Brown County--the land supports an orchard, home vegetable garden, a native prairie planting, pasture for our heritage hogs and laying hens, a passive solar deep winter greenhouse, on-farm kitchen and farm store! We have been certified organic since 2014.
We manage a 10-acre apple orchard just outside of Lake Crystal, which became organic in Aug. 2020. Our home orchard is planted to apples, apricots, pears, plums, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, rhubarb and asparagus.
We continually strive to improve our farm-site with wildlife habitat and conservation practices. Attracting wildlife promotes ecological biodiversity, strengthens our environment and aids in organic pest control.
Our  chickens and pigs support the cycling of nutrients on our farm, as well adding to our joy and quality of life. The laying hens provide fresh eggs that fuel us through the season and are available for purchase. We raise heritage pigs on pasture, during the summer/Fall, offering them as whole/half hogs; the pigs are a BIG part of organic pest management at the orchard!