hometownsource. com / heartland / Stories of the Heartland • Sunday, September 20, 2026 Page 19
Camphill with his wife, Chris, about three years ago. The bakery gives villagers opportunities to take part in production, from measuring ingredients and shaping dough to packaging finished goods. Baked goods are used within the community and sold at events such as Camphill’ s annual fall festival.
Diego Topete oversees the bakery while working alongside villagers, staff members and volunteers. He also helps elsewhere around the property when needed.
During the visit, the bakery was preparing for a significant addition.
“ We’ re actually getting our new oven delivered today,” Welck said.
The new oven will change the bakery’ s workflow and increase its capacity.
Diego Topete’ s responsibilities do not end when he leaves the bakery. He and Chris Topete also serve as house leaders, living at Camphill with their two children and sharing one of the village homes with villagers.
Clay, wood and woven stories
In the pottery studio, clay becomes mugs, bowls and other pieces under the guidance of Seamus Dureaux, who also oversees Camphill’ s orchard.
The finished pottery can be sold alongside products from the village’ s other workshops. Arts programming
also includes nature walks that introduce villagers to the plants and landscape surrounding them.
In the weavery, recycled plastic grocery bags are prepared and woven into rugs and tote bags. The finished products are sold at the fall festival and other events, with proceeds helping support the workshops.
The woodshop produces items both for sale and for use around Camphill. Jacqueline Bieringer and Nick Gallo, staff members who work there, pointed to a recent project— bird feeders modeled after Camphill’ s original barn.
“ They’ re unfinished bird feeders,” Gallo said.“ They’ re very close to completion.”
Once finished, the prototype will serve as a template for additional feeders that can be sold.
“ A lot of our work is practical village projects: benches, signs, and things people use around the property,” Bieringer said. A recent bridge rebuild was another of those projects.
The work in the woodshop changes with the seasons. Gallo said villagers generally work there from October through May. During the warmer months, people can move outside as the garden and other areas need additional help.
“ The garden requires additional help and people can go outside from May through October,” Gallo said.
Jeffrey Hage / Stories of the Heartland
Colorful snapdragons bloom in shades of yellow, pink and red in the gardens at Camphill Village Minnesota, north of Sauk Centre.
HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED OWNING A CHICKEN BARN?
PILGRIM’ S PRIDE IS NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR BREEDER BARNS
Contact Nick Peschl 320-249-5305 or Adam Haag 320--202-7433 For More Information