Our story began innocently enough, out in the fields of produce that my wife and I were tending during our time as farming apprentices. We learned some great life lessons out there, stuff you can’t learn from a book. One day I said something like “wouldn’t it be funny if we made cranberry apple granola and called it Crapola?”. I say lots of things like that, but for some reason, this idea actually became a reality. The next thing I knew, a business was born. Be careful what you say in front of your wife. It could change your life forever. Since our humble beginning almost ten years ago, we have grown our product line and our distribution area. We have put the “fun” in “functional” food, and reminded scores of people about the importance of fiber in their diet, in our own signature style. We have had a lot of fun marketing our granola, but we’re serious when it comes to quality. Just like we learned in farming, it’s worth taking extra time and effort to do things the way we believe is best. Running this business has been far more work than we imagined, but we learn as we go and take pride in our accomplishments. We have grown the business, but the business has also grown us. Each day brings new opportunities and we’re excited about the future. We want to sincerely thank our “regular” customers for supporting us all these years!

From ethnic cooking classes to basket weaving, jewelry making, furniture building, photography, fabric arts, writing, painting and other arts, stained glass making, gardening, sustainable living, herbs and health, foraging, canoeing and canoe building, dances and music, there are classes for most every interest at Ely Folk School, conveniently located at the top of the hill in downtown Ely, Minnesota.

Immerse yourself in Northern Minnesota comfort at Grand Ely Lodge Resort & Conference Center, a stunning choice in Ely, MN hotels. Located in the scenic Up North wilderness, our four-season resort boasts comfortable, spacious lodgings and stunning panoramic views of Shagawa Lake. Whether you’ve come to Ely for a family vacation, a much-deserved getaway, or a productive business retreat, Grand Ely Lodge Resort & Conference Center provides a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Grand Ely Lodge experience starts with our wide array of services and amenities. Take a refreshing dip in our indoor pool, or warm up and soothe tired muscles in our whirlpool and sauna. Traveling with children is easy and fun—entertain the kids with hours of fun outdoors or in our on-site game room. After days spent snowshoeing or afternoons spent hiking the Trezona Trail, you can enjoy all-day dining at the Evergreen Restaurant and refreshing beverages with a view at the Antlers Lounge; at both restaurants, children ten and under eat for free at every meal. After activities, you’ll love to unwind in our guest rooms, boasting the most comfortable and relaxing accommodations among Ely, MN resorts.