Some big changes are happening in Tamarack…

This might will probably get a little lengthy, but need to get this out there…

I am probably a little biased, but think we have gotten pretty good at growing gourmet garlic over the past 10 years, and finally have the marketing thing figured out. We initially scaled things pretty big the first year with having a co-partner in the garlic business, but when they stepped away unexpectedly, there were some big shoes to fill. Molly came on board as a full partner and has helped me continue my dream of working the land in Trempealeau County’s Fox Coulee, where generations of my family have worked the land for several generations in the valley on Hovell Lane. To say that my kids have been able to work the land on the road that bares their last name like the 5 generations before them…like how cool is that?!?!?!?

One of the important reasons I started Tamarack Garlic Farm was to have our children be exposed to the farm lifestyle: to establish a good work ethic, learn to work the land, learning to drive tractors, be around animals, learn about risk, to put trust in God that he will take care of you, and to learn to have an optimistic mindset. I’m happy to say that at the end of the 2025 season, we have accomplished all those goals!

The farm life can take it’s toll- early mornings, late nights, scratches on pickup trucks and dirt all over the inside of vehicles… and over 10 years of this after working 45 hour/week at the day job. We jokingly have always said “the family that farms together, stays together”…but the sacrifices of the “farm life” can be felt in the form of making memories on family vacations have been far and few between. Summer baseball and garlic have occupied 99% of our summer time, and our oldest son has just a year left before he leaves the nest. We’ve realized something has to change if we are going to make some memories.

We were already planning on scaling back on garlic this year to allow the vacation things to happen- but between a few family members having major medical setbacks in the last year it has made me realize that time is precious- and when we had the opportunity to sell even more of the seed stock we normally keep back to plant, it seemed like a sign and a no-brainer to take some more time for being with family.

It is here that I will share here that we will have much less garlic to offer the public in 2026, and to be transparent, the same will probably be true in 2027 as we already have a trip for a couple weeks booked and paid for to explore parts of Europe in summer of ’27. We’re excited!

We need a bit of a break, and are going to take it. I know I will get back into farming once I’ve had my vacation fun- it’s in my blood. I can see raising garlic for sale again, but probably not doing as much, but also have the itch to do a few other things too. I’ve been researching getting into some managed intensive grazing of livestock (I’ve been researching chicken tractors and sheep like crazy since Christmas!) I have experiences of what to do/not to do that I feel I could lend a hand to new farmers as an ag consultant to help them be successful that I could offer up too. We need all kinds of farmers and farms of all sizes!

Fall has always been busy getting the last of the seed garlic orders out the door, planting an acre or so of garlic and getting the straw mulch on the beds before winter comes that I haven’t been able to bow hunt as much as I would like. Putting up a couple enclosed hunting blinds may lead into becoming a dealer of blinds as well. We will see what shakes of that…

To wrap this up- if you came here in search of garlic for eating or planting, you will notice that the website isn’t taking orders yet, as I’m still plugging away on building a new one from scratch. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, shoot me an email and ask for a list of our preferred providers that we know and trust that grow a great garlic to help you out. To say we are “stepping back” for a bit is bittersweet, but am excited for more family time too.

And finally, the name change to Tamarack Valley Farms has me excited to try more things when the time is right. I always love learning. Thanks for being a part of our journey that started with just garlic. It is greatly appreciated!