Did you know that according to the CDC, obesity prevalence in the U.S. increased from 30.5% to 41.9% from 2017-2020? In that same time, the prevalence of severe obesity jumped from just over 4% to over 9%. It only takes a quick glance at these numbers to understand that we have an obesity issue in the United States. That's true for people of all ages, many of whom have tried fad diets and every weight loss regimen under the sun, only to get mediocre results. For older men and women, obesity can be concerning, too, especially when their bodies are going through hormonal changes associated with female and male menopause.
Being overweight has many negative effects on the body. From an aesthetic standpoint, many people hate being overweight because clothes don't fit well, being mobile and active is often hard, and people just seem to stare. From a health and wellness standpoint, however, the consequences of obesity are much worse. Some overweight people must face life-changing problems such as:
For people who have been struggling with their weight for years, it can seem like no help is available. Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth, with innovative weight loss solutions like peptide therapy for weight loss in Long Lake, MN.
LX Medical's weight loss program has helped numerous patients achieve their weight loss goals, live a healthy life, and enjoy total well-being for years. At LX Medical, we believe that weight loss shouldn't be centered around a one-size-fits-all mentality. Our doctors and practitioners create custom weight loss programs that are tailored to your unique body, rather than creating plans based off of someone matching your age or weight. With our team's support, you can achieve real results and start living life without the extra pounds.
That's important in the modern world, where maintaining good health and fitness has become more important than ever. Research has shown that viruses and diseases are more likely to affect people who are overweight and unhealthy. Unfortunately, there are many "miracle" supplements and unhealthy diet plans that mislead people into thinking that weight loss is not beneficial. Furthermore, weight loss "experts" often offer unstructured and unsupervised programs that do more harm than good.
At LX Medical, we prioritize the well-being of our patients when it comes to weight loss. Our approach is patient-centric, focusing on personalized treatments. Our doctors first evaluate your lifestyle habits, and we work with you to replace negative patterns with positive, personalized lifestyle changes. This is crucial for achieving optimal wellness and weight loss. Benefits of losing weight include:
However, losing weight is only the beginning. To keep weight off permanently, adopting a healthy, active lifestyle is essential. At LX Medical, we help you achieve this by implementing manageable, positive lifestyle changes that jumpstart your weight loss journey. By making healthy behaviors a part of your daily routine, you can achieve your weight loss goals and become the best version of yourself.
One of the most successful treatments we offer to help patients shed pounds safely is peptide therapy for weight loss in Long Lake, MN. In fact, peptides for weight loss, such as semaglutide (also known as Ozempic and Wegovy, MOTS-C,) and AOD-9604, have been proven to be effective and have helped countless men and women live life at a healthy weight.
Consisting of amino acids, peptides help regulate the biological processes and functions in your body. As the building blocks of protein, they are crucial for your overall health. Unfortunately, however, many men and women suffer from peptide deficiency. Peptide therapy gives your body the peptides it needs, improving your ability to:
Peptide therapy is often used alongside other treatment plans from LX Medical, such as our custom weight loss plans. That's where peptides like semaglutide and AOD-9604 come into play.
Peptide therapy is often used to boost hormones and support our total well-being. Different types of peptides can target different areas of our health. For example, some collagen peptide supplements can help make our skin, hair, and gut healthier. Other peptides, like semaglutide and AOD-9604, can help facilitate healthy weight loss.
Peptide therapy works in a different way than vitamin supplements. When we take a multivitamin for our hair, skin, and nails, our body must absorb the nutrients. But sometimes, our body can't absorb all the nutrients, so they just leave our body through our urine. Peptides, on the other hand, are part of the proteins in our bodies, making them easier to benefit from and absorb.
But what about peptide therapy for weight loss? The truth is there are various peptides that have different effects, including some that facilitate weight loss. However, weight loss is a nuanced process that involves multiple factors such as diet, exercise, age, genetics, and lifestyle. While peptides can assist you in achieving your weight loss goals, they are most effective when combined with improvements like a healthier diet, more frequent exercise, and better life choices. If you've tried various weight loss plans and diets, but haven't had any success, peptides like semaglutide and ADO-9604 may be the extra boost you need to experience true weight loss.
A recent study in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that people who used peptides in conjunction with a weight loss plan experienced incredible results. More specifically, patients reported a 14% reduction in body fat on average. Two of the most popular peptides for weight loss also happen to be FDA-approved and, when appropriate, part of your weight loss journey with LX Medical.
Those peptides are semaglutide and AOD-9604 and are touted for their therapeutic benefits and long-term safety profile. If you're looking for a little extra help to lose weight and keep it off for good, peptide therapy for weight loss could be for you.
Looking to shed some pounds and keep them off for good? Diet and exercise are crucial, but for busy adults and parents, sticking to a routine is easier said than done. If you need extra help losing weight, consider semaglutide. This injection, approved by the FDA for diabetes and obesity, can stimulate GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in quicker weight loss and long-term health.
Semaglutide works in several ways. First, it acts as glucagon in your body, which helps tell your brain that you're full and don't need to eat anymore. Secondly, it slows down the time it takes for food to transit out of your stomach. This process reduces unnecessary eating and snacking throughout the day. Perhaps more importantly, it reduces glucose spikes after you eat, which causes a litany of issues like inflammation.
Semaglutide also helps your pancreas secrete insulin while making you insulin sensitive. This regulates glucose levels in your body and how your body metabolizes that glucose. Additionally, by reducing inflammation in your body, you benefit from powerful anti-aging and longevity properties.
When combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, semaglutide can provide:
Unlike other weight loss clinics, at LX Medical, you can enjoy the benefits of semaglutide from the comfort of your office or home. Injections are administered once a week. Once you've met your weight loss goals, you can reduce your intake to a minimum dose for additional positive effects like ongoing weight management. You can also quit taking semaglutide entirely. If you opt to stop, our medical weight loss team can chat with you about other types of peptide therapy for weight loss in Long Lake, MN.
This peptide, which is often used in conjunction with semaglutide regimens, stimulates the breakdown of fat while inhibiting lipogenesis and supporting your tendons and cartilage. It has grown in popularity because of its ability to boost your metabolism, which helps burn fat. What's great about AOD-9604 is that it stimulates the pituitary gland but does not affect tissue growth or blood sugar. Perhaps most impressive is that this peptide can burn fat without you feeling the need to overeat as a result.
In fact, AOD-9604 activates your body's fat-burning processes using its own unique mechanism without needing an HGH receptor. It also releases obese fat cells and reduces new fat cell accumulation. One of the most notable benefits of AOD-9604 is its ability to regulate blood sugar and manage insulin levels, which can lead to reduced inflammation and weight loss. Additionally, AOD-9604 can aid in building muscle, similar to growth hormones. Its benefits extend beyond fat loss, as it contains regenerative properties that may be beneficial for individuals with various conditions, such as:
With the ability to reduce fat that is stored in your abdominal region, this weight-loss peptide is very popular for older people with stubborn belly fat. It is also often used by people who have tried other diets and weight loss plans but had little or no success.
At LX Medical, our doctors offer a range of peptide therapies for your health and well-being. Peptides like semaglutide and AOD-9604 are often used as part of a comprehensive peptide therapy plan, crafted by LX Medical specialists for your body. If you're interested in losing weight, gut health peptides like BPC-157, Thymulosin Alpha, Thymulosin Beta, and GHK-Cu can be incredibly beneficial along your weight loss journey.
This naturally occurring peptide, sometimes called the "Body Protection Compound," is secreted in your gut and helps repair its lining. It works by helping your body be in a constant state of restoration and repair, providing powerful anti-inflammatory effects. This process helps with issues like:
When it comes to losing weight, BPC-157 is often included in peptide therapy for weight loss in Long Lake, MN, because it can help reduce pain and inflammation resulting from new or increased exercise efforts. As noted previously, exercise and diet are key in long-term weight loss, and BPC-157 can make those efforts easier.
This peptide is injected once a day, with courses ranging from 30 to 60 days. After you finish the injection course, consider BPC-157 oral supplements to maintain its benefits.
Thymosin Alpha-1 is a powerful immune system modulator that helps you resist infections, illnesses, and disease. By naturally stimulating T cells to locate and eliminate viruses, bacteria, and even tumor cells, this peptide prompts your body to respond to these invasive organisms, making your immune system naturally stronger and more effective.
Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Thymosin Alpha-1 in regulating immunity and inflammation related to rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other conditions. Recent clinical studies have also shown promising results in using this peptide to fight lung, colon, breast, and other types of cancer. By reducing inflammation in your body and enhancing your immune system, you can optimize your body as you lose weight with the help of LX Medical.
Patients inject this peptide every day for two weeks and then continue three times a week for 2.5 months.
Thymosin Beta-4 is a peptide consisting of 43 amino acids that is known to promote healing in the body and has anti-inflammatory properties. It occurs naturally in higher concentrations at injury sites and is a water-soluble protein that can regulate cell migration to a site. It is also very good at repairing tissue damage. The substance is not only beneficial for wound healing and skin repair but can also aid in the repair of the brain, spinal cord, and heart. Medical professionals consider Thymosin Beta-4 to be a safe and potent substance in both its natural and synthetic forms.
Like its Alpha counterpart, this peptide can be beneficial for individuals undergoing weight loss, and can help reduce the inflammation and pain associated with exercising and more.
Patients inject this peptide every day for two weeks and then continue three times a week for 2.5 months.
Research suggests that GHK-CU functions as a feedback signal when tissue damage occurs. This peptide is effective in shielding damaged tissue, reducing inflammation, and replacing scarred tissue with healthy tissue. Although further research is necessary to determine its effectiveness on a larger scale, GHK-CU has already been proven to play a role in wound healing and inflammation reduction. Like other peptides for weight loss in Long Lake, MN, GHK-Cu supports your gut health and weight loss efforts by lowering inflammation in your body, which often happens from changes to your diet or exercise regimens.
Patients should take this peptide for 20-30 days, especially when used for wound healing or as part of a more robust peptide therapy package.
At LX Medical, we're proud to make better care possible.
We are a physician-led team of doctors, nurses, and health experts, advised by a panel of top healthcare leaders who are revolutionizing the power of house calls. In fact, all of our peptides for weight loss in Long Lake, MN, can be applied in your home or office without having to wait in long lines or uncomfortable waiting rooms.
We offer exceptionally robust and personalized weight loss plans for patients who can't seem to lose extra weight. To do so, we use innovative weight loss medications such as semaglutide and AOD-9604. To supplement our patient's success, we bring with us advanced diagnostic technology, IV fluids, and medications, with access to outpatient imaging and lab centers. Unlike some weight loss centers, we only staff highly-trained medical professionals and advanced practice providers with experience and compassion.
Are you sick and tired of the way that you look and feel every day? Is your health getting out of control? Are you ready to break out of your cage and lose weight the right way? If you're ready to begin your journey to weight loss success, our team is here to guide you along the way. Contact LX Medical today to get started.
Orono City Council Member Victoria Seals resigned abruptly Monday night, following a contentious meeting about the future of fire service in the Lake Minnetonka city.The council is speeding toward a vote next month to change its fire service, likely severing ties with the Long Lake Fire Department and starting a new department that Orono will administer alone....
Orono City Council Member Victoria Seals resigned abruptly Monday night, following a contentious meeting about the future of fire service in the Lake Minnetonka city.
The council is speeding toward a vote next month to change its fire service, likely severing ties with the Long Lake Fire Department and starting a new department that Orono will administer alone.
Seals, first elected in 2016, had been one of two Orono council members negotiating with neighboring Long Lake about how to disentangle the shared and jointly funded Long Lake Fire Department. The department is administered through Long Lake but Orono, as the larger city with more calls for service, funds nearly 85% of the department and can veto budgets.
Seals is also married to a member of the Long Lake Fire Department, she said Monday. When a resident asked if it was appropriate for her to be part of fire service negotiations, City Attorney Soren Mattick said he determined she had no conflict of interest.
During Monday's council meeting, Orono Fire Chief James Van Eyll presented four courses of action to the council on the future of a fire service. All the options, he said, would result in property taxes higher than maintaining the status quo.
"Why?" one resident asked during the public comment period, to whoops and applause from others.
Van Eyll, who served as Long Lake fire chief until the end of 2022, said any fire service in Orono needs to update its equipment and should aim for quicker response times than the Long Lake department has.
Orono Mayor Dennis Walsh said he thought Orono could do a better job administering a Fire Department than Long Lake, and said he felt Orono funded a disproportionate share of the Long Lake Fire Department.
More than 50 residents and members of the Long Lake Fire Department packed into Orono's council chambers, with more standing in the lobby, straining to hear. After Van Eyll presented, residents spent more than an hour asking questions, with all but one who spoke urging the council against any hurried change without more public engagement.
Walsh said city elections are sufficient public engagement, and rejected calls for a mediator to negotiate what has become an acrimonious split between the cities.
Long Lake, for its part, has retained an attorney and is threatening a breach-of-contract suit over what it sees as Orono's attempts to take over the Long Lake department.
The Orono council discussed the possible suit in a closed session Monday night, with Seals entering the session as a council member. By Tuesday morning, she had resigned, according to the Orono city clerk.
Water snakes are a staple of American wetlands and occur primarily in marshes and bodies of water throughout the central and eastern United States. So, if you are ever hiking, kayaking, or swimming anywhere in this half of the U.S., there’s a possibility you might come across one of these aquatic serpents. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Minnesota and want to spend your days by the water, it’s impor...
Water snakes are a staple of American wetlands and occur primarily in marshes and bodies of water throughout the central and eastern United States. So, if you are ever hiking, kayaking, or swimming anywhere in this half of the U.S., there’s a possibility you might come across one of these aquatic serpents. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Minnesota and want to spend your days by the water, it’s important to know which lakes are infested with snakes. And how to best handle your encounter.
The only fully aquatic water snakes are sea snakes. However, there are several semi-aquatic snakes in the U.S., three of which occur in Minnesota. Water snakes are members of the Colubridae family, which is the most diverse snake family. True watersnakes are in the genus Nerodia, but garter snakes in the Thamnophis genus are semi-aquatic too! While the different species of water snakes vary widely, they have some common features, like protective overlapping scales, stream-lined bodies for swimming, and medium to large in size (usually between 3 to 5 feet long). The three species of water snakes found in Minnesota are the northern water snake, plains garter snake, and common garter snake.
The northern water snake is medium in length and thick, with dark marks and bands on a lighter body. They are primarily diurnal and often occur in vegetation or are seen swimming in the water. These snakes usually measure between 2 to 3 feet long and come in several color variations. However, they are typically gray or brown with dark brown or red bands near the neck, spots on their sides, patches on their backs, and ringed tails.
The plains garter snake can grow to 3 feet long and occur throughout Minnesota. These snakes are either brown or black, with orange or yellow colored stripes down their bodies and one down each side, which are easily distinguishable from the color of their bellies. It is mostly black between the stripes, but some may be checkered with red, brown, green, or yellowish colors. The plains garter snake is an incredible swimmer and feeds on various amphibians and fish. While they are not venomous, these snakes may bite when handled. Additionally, when threatened, they will defecate and release a foul odor.
The common garter snake is one of Minnesota’s most commonly sighted water snakes. They occur throughout the state and like to inhabit suburban and rural areas along lakes, rivers, hilltops, and in some regions, backyards. Common garter snakes in eastern Minnesota tend to be more yellow than red, and their bellies are gray or cream with no visible pattern. Furthermore, they have narrow black stripes on the edges of their scales, and some have red under their tails.
While these three species of water snakes occur throughout the state, there are four snake-infested lakes in Minnesota you need to be aware of:
Lake Pepin houses two of the three species of water snakes, the common garter snake, and the northern water snake. This lake is the largest lake on the Mississippi River, so naturally, it is diverse in flora and fauna. It acts as an essential water filter that reduces pollution and sediment flowing downstream. Furthermore, this lake has historical and cultural significance, as it has provided water to humans for over 12,000 years. Additionally, Lake Pepin has been an incredible inspiration to famous visual artists and authors and the thousands of tourists that visit each year.
This lake is one of the Midwest’s best-known natural playgrounds, with several sporting and recreational activities to keep visitors entertained. Towns that occur along Lake Pepin include:
This lake is home to the common garter snake and plains garter snake, making it one of the most snake-infested lakes in Minnesota. Red Lake is situated in Beltrami County, northern Minnesota, and it’s the largest natural freshwater lake in the state. A peninsula separates Red Lake into two sections. The two sections are known as the Upper and Lower Red Lake, and the community of Ponemah sits on the peninsula.
Lower Red Lake has a rich history and lies entirely within the Red Lake Indian Reservation. While tourists descend to Red Lake by the thousands in summer, it is also a popular ice fishing destination in the winter. Unfortunately, a serious accident occurred on the lake in 2022 when 200 people were lying on an ice sheet on Upper Red Lake when it ruptured. They were isolated on an ice bank 90 feet from contiguous ice, but luckily, they were rescued.
Fish species present in Red Lake include:
This Lake is home to the common garter snake and the plains garter snake. Otter Tail Lake is situated in the west-central part of the state, and it is one of the largest lakes in Minnesota. It covers an area of around 14,000 acres, with a maximum depth of 120 feet. The lake derives its name from the otter, an animal commonly found in the area. Otter Tail Lake is notorious for boating, fishing, and other water sports. Additionally, several species of fish inhabit the lake, including:
Anglers from all around Minnesota descend on Otter Tail Lake throughout the year for its various fishing tournaments.
But it’s not just the lake that attracts tourists to this place; the surrounding area is popular for outdoor activities, like biking, hiking, and camping. Furthermore, there are multiple campgrounds and parks near the lake, including the Otter Tail County Park, which provides a beach for swimming, picnic areas, and boat ramps. Additionally, several towns and communities surround the lake that offers shopping, dining, and other activities. The most popular town around the lake is Ottertail, located on the lake’s eastern shore.
The common garter snake is the only water snake to inhabit the Lake of the Woods, which is an enormous body of water spanning over 68 miles long. This lake borders Minnesota and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba. Lake of the Woods has the longest lake shoreline in the world, over 25,000 miles! The eastern part of the lake is dotted with more than 14,000 islands, which are home to an abundance of wildlife, including bald eagles, moose, and bears. However, the western part of the lake is mostly open water. Fishing is very popular on this lake; it has even earned the name “walleye capital of the world.” Other fish species that occur in this lake include smallmouth bass, northern pike, lake sturgeon, sauger, perch, muskie, and crappie.
There’s nothing like stretching out on a picnic blanket, watching the summer sun dip low behind a farm field, and feasting on pizza fresh out of a roaring brick oven. Pizza farms are a speciality of the Midwest — and lucky for Minnesotan pizza lovers, there are plenty of red barns dotting the southern Mississippi River valley to explore. Most require that guests pack everything they’ll need (think blankets, plates, and a bottle of wine or lemonade). Note also that some of these farms require reservations ahead of time, and ...
There’s nothing like stretching out on a picnic blanket, watching the summer sun dip low behind a farm field, and feasting on pizza fresh out of a roaring brick oven. Pizza farms are a speciality of the Midwest — and lucky for Minnesotan pizza lovers, there are plenty of red barns dotting the southern Mississippi River valley to explore. Most require that guests pack everything they’ll need (think blankets, plates, and a bottle of wine or lemonade). Note also that some of these farms require reservations ahead of time, and many are cash-only. With the warm season waning, it’s high time for some wood-fired pizza made with farm-fresh veggies and herbs. Here’s a map of pizza farms near(ish) the Twin Cities.
Note that these pizza farms are listed geographically.
Take a long and twisty drive down to Decorah, nestled into the stunning Driftless region, untouched by ancient glaciers. Pizza season at Luna Valley Farm began May 6, and runs most Fridays and Saturdays from May through late August (check the website for specific dates). Make a reservation ahead of time.
Half farm and half brewery, Footjoy Farm is a little different than the typical pizza farm — you’re more likely to pull up a stool at the bar than spread out a blanket for a picnic. The beers are made from grains grown on the owners’ family farm, and the pizza specials often feature seasonal ingredients like morels and fermented Brussels sprouts.
DreamAcres is just one beautiful drive away through Minnesota’s Southeastern bluff country. It’s open to visitors almost every Friday evening during the summer, June through October, or until they run out of pizza. The organic pizzas are vegetarian, made with seasonal ingredients grown on the farm; there are no gluten-free options. Pizza service runs every Friday (beginning on June 2) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (except July 29 and August 4) and continues through September 29.
All the ingredients at Winghaven Pizza Farm are grown on the breathtaking Wisconsin landscape. Tables are available, but pizzas can also be ordered as takeout. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn games, and Winghaven occasionally hosts live music. Hours are Fridays and 4 p.m. til 8:30 p.m., and Sundays starting in late August.
Tucked into the bluffs above the Mississippi River, this 16-acre farm holds its pizza nights Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., from May 5 through September 30. In addition to the pizzas, the farm sells an impressive selection of Wisconsin craft beer, as well as wine and soda.
Dancing Yarrow Farm to Fork Retreat in Mondovi, Wisconsin hosts wood-fired pizza and open mic nights, hosted by the Rock Creek Song Dogs, on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. through September. Come for the thin-crust pizza, the live music, and the selection of sustainable and natural wines and other beverages. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the farm.
This Nelson, Wisconsin farm serves Italian-style thin-crust pizzas topped with organic seasonings grown on the property, plus sausage, chorizo, and more. (Try the Alaskan, made with smoked salmon, dill, and capers.) The farm is open Fridays 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays noon to 9 p.m., and Sundays noon to 8 p.m. through the season, and gluten-free crusts are available. First-come, first-serve.
Located on a picturesque farm in Stockholm, Wisconsin, A to Z Produce & Bakery has been baking farm-fresh pizza in its hand-built brick oven since 1998. Pack the trunk with a blanket, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks (though A to Z has beer and wine for sale) and drive out for Tuesday pizza night the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, through September 26. Note that reservations, which open the Sunday immediately preceding each pizza night, are required.
Idyllic Squash Blossom Farm in Oronoco, Minnesota hosts a pizza night every Sunday — the farm’s 2023 season runs through September 17. Make sure to order ahead, as pizzas often sell out fast. Squash Blossom also recently became a licensed farm winery: Try farm-made mead by the glass, bottle, or tasting flight.
Pleasant Grove in Waseca, Minnesota, serves a varied menu that includes pizza fries doused in garlic-infused olive oil, and topped with fresh and shredded mozzarella with a side of homemade tomato sauce. Veggie lovers should try the Buster, made with wild mushrooms and sage olive oil. The farm often has live music, and is now open Fridays and Saturdays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. through October. For the rest of August, it’s also open Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Crafted with hand-made, vegan dough, the pizzas at Red Barn Farm typically feature the farm’s pesticide-free produce. (Try the classic margarita, with tomatoes and fresh basil.) Make a reservation ahead of time, and bring cash or check. Open every Wednesday night for the season.
Located in Long Lake, just west of Minneapolis, Two Pony Gardens specializes in organic dahlias, heirloom tomatoes, and pizza nights. Dates for the 2023 pizza farm season run through October 29. Be sure to book a reservation ahead of time for the farm’s front yard, meadow, or sumac hill spaces, as they often sell out.
Lazy summer Sundays are better spent on this farm that grows produce and brews beer. Enjoy a little music, beer, and creative pizzas like the “Spicy Jameese,” made with strawberry jam, sriracha, and cheddar and pepper cheeses. The farm is open Sundays, noon to 7 p.m. Bring cash.
Alpha and Omega Farm in Princeton, Minnesota hosts pizza nights every Thursday. The menu changes often, but expect pizzas like the “Millie the Meatlover” or the mysteriously named “Fainting Goat” (the farm also hosts goat yoga on summer Sundays). Walk-in orders are available, but it’s best to order ahead of time, and gluten-free crusts are available upon request. Picnic tables are available, but bring a blanket to be safe.
Take a long and twisty drive down to Decorah, nestled into the stunning Driftless region, untouched by ancient glaciers. Pizza season at Luna Valley Farm began May 6, and runs most Fridays and Saturdays from May through late August (check the website for specific dates). Make a reservation ahead of time.
Half farm and half brewery, Footjoy Farm is a little different than the typical pizza farm — you’re more likely to pull up a stool at the bar than spread out a blanket for a picnic. The beers are made from grains grown on the owners’ family farm, and the pizza specials often feature seasonal ingredients like morels and fermented Brussels sprouts.
DreamAcres is just one beautiful drive away through Minnesota’s Southeastern bluff country. It’s open to visitors almost every Friday evening during the summer, June through October, or until they run out of pizza. The organic pizzas are vegetarian, made with seasonal ingredients grown on the farm; there are no gluten-free options. Pizza service runs every Friday (beginning on June 2) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (except July 29 and August 4) and continues through September 29.
All the ingredients at Winghaven Pizza Farm are grown on the breathtaking Wisconsin landscape. Tables are available, but pizzas can also be ordered as takeout. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn games, and Winghaven occasionally hosts live music. Hours are Fridays and 4 p.m. til 8:30 p.m., and Sundays starting in late August.
Tucked into the bluffs above the Mississippi River, this 16-acre farm holds its pizza nights Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., from May 5 through September 30. In addition to the pizzas, the farm sells an impressive selection of Wisconsin craft beer, as well as wine and soda.
Dancing Yarrow Farm to Fork Retreat in Mondovi, Wisconsin hosts wood-fired pizza and open mic nights, hosted by the Rock Creek Song Dogs, on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. through September. Come for the thin-crust pizza, the live music, and the selection of sustainable and natural wines and other beverages. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the farm.
This Nelson, Wisconsin farm serves Italian-style thin-crust pizzas topped with organic seasonings grown on the property, plus sausage, chorizo, and more. (Try the Alaskan, made with smoked salmon, dill, and capers.) The farm is open Fridays 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays noon to 9 p.m., and Sundays noon to 8 p.m. through the season, and gluten-free crusts are available. First-come, first-serve.
Located on a picturesque farm in Stockholm, Wisconsin, A to Z Produce & Bakery has been baking farm-fresh pizza in its hand-built brick oven since 1998. Pack the trunk with a blanket, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks (though A to Z has beer and wine for sale) and drive out for Tuesday pizza night the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, through September 26. Note that reservations, which open the Sunday immediately preceding each pizza night, are required.
Idyllic Squash Blossom Farm in Oronoco, Minnesota hosts a pizza night every Sunday — the farm’s 2023 season runs through September 17. Make sure to order ahead, as pizzas often sell out fast. Squash Blossom also recently became a licensed farm winery: Try farm-made mead by the glass, bottle, or tasting flight.
Pleasant Grove in Waseca, Minnesota, serves a varied menu that includes pizza fries doused in garlic-infused olive oil, and topped with fresh and shredded mozzarella with a side of homemade tomato sauce. Veggie lovers should try the Buster, made with wild mushrooms and sage olive oil. The farm often has live music, and is now open Fridays and Saturdays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. through October. For the rest of August, it’s also open Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Crafted with hand-made, vegan dough, the pizzas at Red Barn Farm typically feature the farm’s pesticide-free produce. (Try the classic margarita, with tomatoes and fresh basil.) Make a reservation ahead of time, and bring cash or check. Open every Wednesday night for the season.
Located in Long Lake, just west of Minneapolis, Two Pony Gardens specializes in organic dahlias, heirloom tomatoes, and pizza nights. Dates for the 2023 pizza farm season run through October 29. Be sure to book a reservation ahead of time for the farm’s front yard, meadow, or sumac hill spaces, as they often sell out.
Lazy summer Sundays are better spent on this farm that grows produce and brews beer. Enjoy a little music, beer, and creative pizzas like the “Spicy Jameese,” made with strawberry jam, sriracha, and cheddar and pepper cheeses. The farm is open Sundays, noon to 7 p.m. Bring cash.
Alpha and Omega Farm in Princeton, Minnesota hosts pizza nights every Thursday. The menu changes often, but expect pizzas like the “Millie the Meatlover” or the mysteriously named “Fainting Goat” (the farm also hosts goat yoga on summer Sundays). Walk-in orders are available, but it’s best to order ahead of time, and gluten-free crusts are available upon request. Picnic tables are available, but bring a blanket to be safe.
ORTONVILLE, Minn. — A back-to-the future story is unfolding in a big way on Big Stone Lake and in the Upper Minnesota River watershed, where an eight-year-long process to restore lake sturgeon to these waters is showing promise.Sturgeon up to 50 inches in length, several of them weighing 31 pounds, emerged from the waters of the lake when Department of Natural Resources fisheries staff pulled special gill nets they had set in October. The nets were set at four locations in the 26-mile long lake. The fish they caught showed good ...
ORTONVILLE, Minn. — A back-to-the future story is unfolding in a big way on Big Stone Lake and in the Upper Minnesota River watershed, where an eight-year-long process to restore lake sturgeon to these waters is showing promise.
Sturgeon up to 50 inches in length, several of them weighing 31 pounds, emerged from the waters of the lake when Department of Natural Resources fisheries staff pulled special gill nets they had set in October. The nets were set at four locations in the 26-mile long lake. The fish they caught showed good population numbers and growth rates for the fish, according to Chris Domeier, fisheries supervisor with the DNR in Ortonville.
Since 2014, the DNR has worked in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to stock fingerling lake sturgeon in Big Stone Lake. They are the progeny of sturgeon from the Wisconsin River, part of the Mississippi River watershed as is Big Stone Lake.
Each year, an average of roughly 4,000 fingerlings are stocked in the lake.
Big Stone Lake once held a sturgeon population so large that they were commercially harvested. But over-harvest, the construction of dams on tributary waters that took away connectivity, degrading water quality, and a string of harsh winters are believed to be responsible for the disappearance of this prehistoric fish from Big Stone Lake. The last known sturgeon was found washed up on its shoreline in 1938.
Now, Domeier and his staff periodically receive reports from anglers who happen to catch sturgeon. The reports of incidental catches also tell them the fish are increasingly mobile and making their way into adjoining waters. This autumn, the fisheries supervisor received reports of four large sturgeon caught by anglers just below the Lac qui Parle dam.
It’s not a surprise. Domeier said the riverine system fish are likely to take advantage of the feed and spawning habitat that tributary waters including the Minnesota, Pomme de Terre and Chippewa Rivers offer.
Former fisheries supervisor Norm Haukos, who has since retired, initially promoted the sturgeon reintroduction project. He believed that improving water quality in the lake, and efforts to restore connectivity to tributary waters, made it possible for this ancient fish to once again thrive in these waters.
The recent netting survey indicates that conditions are indeed favorable. Water clarity in the lake has been improving for more than a decade now, noted Domeier. In fact, the once turbid lake is changing in a big way. Aquatic vegetation now thrives in the once-turbid waters and the lake is transitioning from a world-class walleye lake to a world-class largemouth bass and bluegill lake, he said.
Most important for the sturgeon, the shallow lake has a mostly uniform, silty bottom that supports a large population of invertebrates such as midges and mayflies that are food for the sturgeon. Like whales that grow large on tiny krill in the ocean, sturgeon feed on large numbers of these invertebrates found on the lake bottom.
The hope is that these stocked sturgeon will establish a self-sustaining population once they reach sexual maturity. The rule of thumb is that female sturgeon reach sexual maturity after 20 years.
The growth rates exhibited by the fish in Big Stone Lake has Domeier and others in the fisheries staff hopeful that these fish may reach sexual maturity at a younger age. These sturgeon are at the southern edge of their natural range and there is not a lot known about southern range sturgeon, said Domeier.
A group of male sturgeon from Big Stone Lake were rescued last year after they had migrated upstream to a small water body near Milbank, South Dakota, and had become trapped. It’s not known if they had migrated based on the instinct to spawn, but it’s possible, he noted. The fish were rescued in the post-spawning period and there was no milt to indicate whether the fish were sexually mature.
If this restoration succeeds, the day may come when a controlled harvest of sturgeon could be offered on Big Stone Lake, Domeier noted. There’s no doubt that the large fish will attract anglers. The Rainy River is famous for the anglers who come for a catch-and-release season that gives them the opportunity in the spring to tangle with the behemoth fish.
How big can they get? In February of 2019, Darren Troseth of Jordan, with help from friend John Kimble, caught and released what is believed to have been the biggest fish ever caught in Minnesota. Troseth caught a 78-inch lake sturgeon estimated to have weighed 120 pounds while ice fishing on the St. Croix River.
Garden tour season is just around the bend, aiming to educate and inspire both avid gardeners and aspiring green thumbs alike. The tours are varied and geared toward having something for everyone, whether your interest lies in rain gardens, succession planting, urban farming and beyond.Here are some of the home garden tours in this season's lineup:THE SEWARD GARDEN TOUR ...
Garden tour season is just around the bend, aiming to educate and inspire both avid gardeners and aspiring green thumbs alike. The tours are varied and geared toward having something for everyone, whether your interest lies in rain gardens, succession planting, urban farming and beyond.
Here are some of the home garden tours in this season's lineup:
THE SEWARD GARDEN TOUR
June 22: Eleven "eclectic" urban gardens are featured in this Minneapolis neighborhood tour run by the Seward Neighborhood Group. The evening event is followed by a garden party with refreshments and a raffle prize. (6 to 8 p.m.; $15 advance, $20 day of tour; sng.org)
ST. ANTHONY PARK GARDEN TOUR
June 24: Held every other year, this St. Paul neighborhood tour offers a look into some of the area's most picturesque gardens. Pollinator-friendly, landscaped and rain gardens are part of the mix. (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $15, ages 10 and under free; stanthonyparkgardenclub.com)
LEARNING GARDEN TOUR
July 8: Hennepin County Master Gardener volunteers host this self-guided tour spotlighting nine gardens in Minneapolis and the northwest suburbs of Hennepin County. Stops focus on the latest trends and techniques, with topics including garden design, succession planting (including "Plant, Grow, Harvest, Repeat" author Meg Cowden's Long Lake garden) and urban farming. The 2023 event will also spotlight pollinator plants to attract butterflies, dragonflies, wasps and more. Experts will be on hand to offer tips. A "Garden Shed" to shop accessories will be available at one stop while reading materials at the "Book Nook" will be featured at another. (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; $15 advance; $20 day of tour. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Children under 12 admitted free with paid adult; hennepinmastergardeners.org)
NORTHFIELD GARDEN CLUB TOUR
July 8-9: Homeowners in the Northfield area open their gardens to the public in this self-guided tour that features about six residential gardens each year. Gardens aim to show a variety such as vegetable, fruit and flower gardens. Garden art is also part of the lineup. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $10; thenorthfieldgardenclub.org)
AUXILIARY PRIVATE GARDEN TOURS
July 16-18: Tour four private gardens across the metro in the comfort of air-conditioned motor coaches. Expect gardens with plenty of history and charm, as well as displays filled with colorful florals, pollinator-friendly plantings, water features as well as art pieces. But wait, there's more: Depending on the tour time, brunch, light bites and/or wine will be available. (Starting at 9 a.m.; starting at $75; 612-625-9865; arb.umn.edu/privategardentours)
PUBLIC GARDEN AND URBAN FARM TOUR
July 22: The Men's and Women's Garden Club of Minneapolis hosts this self-guided metro area tour of a community garden, five private gardens and two urban farms (a cut-flower and a mushroom farm). Each location will feature on-the-hour tours as well as experts or displays addressing everything from bonsais and hydroponic planting to garden photography and flower arranging. (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $20; gardenclubmpls.org)
MWGS WATER GARDEN TOUR
Minnesota Water Garden Society Pond and Garden Tour.
July 29-30: The group that maintains the water garden in the Minnesota State Fair's Agriculture Building (and hosts the annual Friends' Plant Sale, also on the grounds) gives a reason to meander outside of the fairgrounds to see its members' works. The self-guided tour will feature 10 aquatic sites across the Twin Cities metro area and is a chance to check out how to garden plant life in fountains, ponds, waterfalls and other aquatic-type gardens. (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $15 advance, $20 day of event, $5 single site ticket. Ages 15 and under free with paid adult. Mwgs.org)
BEYOND THE METRO
ROCHESTER GARDEN AND FLOWER CLUB
July 8: Not only does this tour spotlight six private gardens, but the lineup includes educational booths, local artisans and musicians. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $15, under 18 free; 507-993-9176; rgfc.org)
DULUTH WOMEN'S CLUB TOUR OF HOMES AND GARDENS
July 19: In addition to gardens, interiors are part of this self-guided tour that highlights landscapes and homes ranging from stately to modern. Food trucks will be available for lunch. (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $40; duluthwomansclub.com)