2nd Annual MIgardener Farm Day at Idlewild Orchard

A beautiful summer day spent together at Idlewild Orchard

Luke has always loved cooking for others and using the very best ingredients he can source. So naturally, with an abundance of farm-fresh produce and a desire to bring our team out to see everything our farm crew has been working on, Farm Day was born!

It’s become a chance to gather around great food, celebrate the season, and create a special day that we hope will be a highlight for our team year after year.

This year, things ran a little smoother than our first Farm Day—unlike last year, when I (Sindy) forgot the plates! Ha! We pulled through then, but thankfully, we came a little more prepared this year.

Luke takes the lead on dreaming up the menu and doing the cooking, while I take care of all the little details—from the plates and flowers to the table settings and décor—so our team can simply show up, relax, and enjoy the day. Of course, true to our crew, several team members jumped right in to help me get the tables set up. It ended up being a wonderful team effort!

And the food was nothing short of amazing. Luke fired up the grill and created a four-course meal inspired by the season and what was growing right around us on the farm.

The plan for the day: a farm tour, lunch, team celebration, and plenty of time together

Gathering around the table for our second annual Farm Day lunch.

MENU

First Course

Grilled Romaine Wedge Salad
with housemade buttermilk ranch dressing, croutons, and craisins

Second Course

Corn Hush Puppies
with basil & radish-top pesto and honey mustard

Main Course

Filet Mignon with Herb Butter
with baby potatoes and seasonal zucchini

Dessert

Sweet Corn Ice Cream
with Gold Butter Shell and a pizzelle cookie

We also filled the tables with beautiful sourdough bread baskets graciously gifted from Good Grounds Coffee in Almont, Michigan. A must-try for their delicious fresh-roasted coffee and sourdough creations! 

Being able to incorporate ingredients grown right here on the farm made the meal even more special. There’s something pretty incredible about sitting together overlooking the fields while eating a meal inspired by what’s growing just steps away.

But Farm Day has never really been just about the food.

It’s about bringing everyone together, stepping away from the day-to-day for a little while, and giving our team the opportunity to see firsthand what our farm crew has been pouring so much work into all season.

From walking the orchard and fields to gathering around one long table and sharing a meal together, it’s one of those days that reminds us just how many hands, talents, and people come together to make MIgardener what it is.

Our second annual Farm Day was one for the books. Great food, a beautiful summer day at Idlewild, and—most importantly—time spent celebrating our team.

We’re already looking forward to next year!

Follow along at: Idlewild Orchard