Show notes
Chef Laura Bonicelli visits Riverside Farms near Elk River, Minnesota, for a conversation with farmer Dave Nathe about the land, the crops, the family, and the work behind the produce that reaches the Minneapolis Farmers Market.Dave shares how he got started in farming, what Riverside Farms grows, and how the business developed across three farms. He talks about the knowledge farmers pass from one generation—and one farmer—to another, the people who keep Riverside running, rising costs and changes in agriculture, and what he sees ahead for farming.Dave’s daughter Ashley Nathe joins the conversation to talk about growing up in a farmers market family and her work with the Minneapolis Farmers Market. You’ll also hear a short farmers-market story from farmer Chris Utecht that says a lot about Dave’s knowledge of sweet corn.Chapters0:00 Welcome to Riverside Farms 0:49 Dave’s Farming Roots 7:00 What Riverside Farms Grows 15:47 Farmers Teaching Farmers 17:22 A Farmers Market Family Story 20:56 The People Who Keep Riverside Running 25:16 How Riverside Became Three Farms 31:57 Ashley Nathe: Farm Roots and the Farmers Market 37:01 How Farming Has Changed 40:29 The Future of Farming 43:13 Buy Local: What Consumers Should Know 50:27 What Happens to Riverside Farms Next?Midwest Meets Mediterranean explores food, cooking, farmers, producers, seasonal ingredients, and the connections between Midwestern food culture and Mediterranean cooking.