LOCAL PROFILE by Tara Carlson

Over 100 miles southwest of the Twin Cities on the outskirts of Wells, Minnesota, I had the pleasure of exploring a prairie hideaway called Living Water . Tucked up against a beautiful tree line, I discovered nearly an acre of full of life, growth and warmth. Producer Steve Klingbeil, his wife Miriam and their three grown daughters, Emily, Ellen, and Laura, have been working in these very same greenhouses for the past 17 years. Here, the Klingbeil family grows 7,000 tomato plants and an array of other vegetables. The way Living Water Gardens grows tomatoes is what distinguishes the farm from outdoor tomato growers.

The word hydroponic means water loving, which is what makes the tomatoes of Living Water Gardens so unique. Following the hydroponic method, Klingbeil Learn How This Grows! begins by planting tomato seeds in a material called rockwool, rather than soil, where the seeds germinate in about 3 days. Rockwool is used in many hydroponic systems to physically support roots, provide plenty of oxygen to the plant, promote growth, decrease the spread of disease and allow the producer to have tighter soil control. As the tomato plants grow, they are transported from the nursery to the where the ideal temperature is kept between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The rockwool is then placed in a material called perlite, the white beads you see in your store-bought potting soil. The combi- nation of rockwool and perlite retains air and water for enhanced growth. Klingbeil is conscious of re-using and recycling these materials several seasons to reduce environmental waste. The tomato plants are grown on a single-string trellis system. Once the tomato plants begin growing rapidly they are raised which allows for the plants to always be at a “working height.” There are three different greenhouses on Klingbeil’s farm, his favorite being a twin wall polycarbonate structure. It was amazing to learn how all of these greenhouses are heated during our cold Minnesota winters.

Living Water Gardens has an innovative way to heat the greenhouses, keeping the tomatoes toasty warm. Klingbeil discovered an organization that picks up used and broken-down wooden palates, and then disassembles and bundles them together. Thirty semi-truck loads of scrap-wood bundles are delivered to Living Water Gardens where every six hours Klingbeil fills three huge wood-burning ovens. Most of the wood burned contains nails which end up at the bottom of the ovens with the ashes. Every few days the ashes are scooped out

PAGE 8 if not the most important part of how Living Water Gardens got its the entire operation.” name, Klingbeil’s face brightened and he smiled saying, “Way, way, Although water is crucial to Liv- way back…a group of local farmers ing Water Gardens, the operation gathered to discuss how we could would not exist without Klingbeil grow and produce healthy food for who started farming dairy, corn and our families and communities. We soybeans with his brother in 1970. wanted to grow without contaminants and pesticides.” As Klingbeil reflected Shortly before he sold his farming and meditated on his discussion with operation, Klingbeil and his wife these farmers, he felt a higher power began a small garden where they speaking to him through the word enjoyed growing a variety of ‘greenhouse.’ Later, Klingbeil made a fruits and vegetables. When asked small structure to cover and put onto a conveyer belt where the nails are separated. Klingbeil has a trailer he then fills with the old nails and once the trailer is full, he recycles the nails in order for the material to be used again and not end up in landfills. When we are shivering cold during the winter and cannot imagine there is anything green or growing in our climate, Living Water Gardens employs a warm, yet green earth-saving strategy to keep the plants alive.

Although the material and greenhouses the tomatoes are grown in makes Living Water Gardens a success, the secret to Klingbeil’s fresh and delicious tomatoes, according to Klingbeil, is “The water is very important, if not the most important part of the entire operation.” the water itself. Fed through a drip irrigation system, the water at Living Water Gardens according to Kling- some plants in his outdoor garden to beil, “Is a blessing and a curse.” The test the greenhouse concept. When water has some iron, which can clog Klingbeil and his wife discovered the the irrigation lines, but the tomatoes model was working, they toured a are “good, quality tomatoes because large operating greenhouse and saw of the environment where they are first hand how well this type of grown, at what levels the nutrients production worked. At this point are in the water, and at what levels they felt, “this type of the nutrients are kept.” Klingbeil just might work!” The Klingbeil’s stated, “The water is very important, later built their first greenhouse,

PAGE 9 really liked the taste of their greenhouse tomatoes, as well as develop this business “Fruit,” you say? Yes—fruit! Klingbeil grown tomatoes and discovered the together as a family,” smiled Klingbeil. helped to answer the age-old, mysterious true meaning of the name Living Water Thinking about the future Klingbeil question: are tomatoes a fruit? Indeed, Gardens: “full of life, full of water, full describes he would like to see the tomatoes are actually an aggregate of healthy nutrients.” business remain operated by a family fruit from the nightshade family. Living member who is interested in producing Water Gardens grows several kinds of Not only are there health benefits to and dedicated to what he knows and hydroponic tomatoes including, yellow tomatoes, but the Klingbeil family has has experienced: “the demand for and red grape tomatoes, yellow and also experienced many benefits good quality, fresh, local food.” red -on (also known as trost) and wonderful memories producing tomatoes, and beef steak tomatoes, and working together. “This has been Living Water Gardens has been working which are large, single ones you are a wonderful business for my family,” together with local retailers, including able to slice. Klingbeil also grows a stated Klingbeil. Growing tomatoes and Valley Natural Foods, for many years. variety of vegetables including, European seedless cucumbers, cayenne and jalapeno peppers, and sweet bell A variety of fresh tomatoes peppers in several colors. Tomatoes by Living Water Gardens from Living Water Gardens are are available April available most of the year, due to through December: picking and delivery schedules. Fresh tomatoes are picked twice a week and • Red grape tomatoes delivered fresh to Valley Natural Foods • Yellow grape tomatoes Klingbeil believes his relationship with on Tuesdays and Fridays. However, if • Red vine-on tomatoes Valley Natural Foods has been you are planning a meal out, you can successful for several reasons. First, find Living Water Gardens’ tomatoes on • Yellow vine on tomatoes Klingbeil has strategically worked the menus of many wonderful • Beef steak tomatoes with Valley Natural Foods due to the locally-owned and operated restaurants. “co-partnership” that exists. Both the co-op and Living Water Gardens work other vegetables is year round, “highly “hard for each other,” marketing the labor intensive work.” Whether there product, as well as working hard to is planting, , or picking to do, produce and deliver high quality food. it takes a lot of hands. Fortunately, In addition, Klingbeil feels a “mutual Klingbeil and his wife had the perfect respect” exists between Valley Natural helpers: their daughters! From an Foods, the customers and himself. “I know early age, the girls helped and later the clientele and managers truly appreciate worked for the the locally grown I was amazed by the surprises I family business. product I supply,” discovered during my short road trip Klingbeil reminisced stated Klingbeil. to Wells, Minnesota. Living Water about late nights He also believes Gardens tomatoes is a real-life example when the entire a successful of how our food is locally-grown by family would pack affiliation with the dedicated producers, which is often tomatoes together, co-op has formed something we do not think about next day delivery due to invested while eating spaghetti, salsa or bruchetta. rides and sales days members who have However, the first time or the next where he and his ownership and a time, you indulge in delicious, fresh daughters would voice. Klingbeil Minnesota grown Living Water play games, share stories and dreams. admires and values the relationships Gardens produce, you will truly It is in the family values, dedication Valley Natural Foods creates with experience the difference. and hard work in the greenhouses customers, visitors, and business partners Tara Carlson is a graduate of the College of Klingbeil’s daughters became successful alike. He looks forward to delivery St. Catherine and local freelance writer who is business women. “We have always days, where he can connect one to one passionate about sharing and bringing to life the been working, working hard, but it with his accounts and share the “fruit” stories of local farmers and producers. has been fun to grow and harvest of his labor.

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