Congratulations to Mill City Farmers Market’s 2023 Next Stage Grant awardees!
The Next Stage Grant program provides funding to local, regenerative farmers and other food makers who are improving sustainable farming and business practices or growing toward the “next stage” of their businesses.
This year we awarded 14 grants totaling $79,790 to support local farmers and food makers at farmers markets throughout the region. Since 2013, we have awarded 119 Next Stage Grants totaling over $395,000 in project funding for local, sustainable farms. You can read more about this year’s grantees and their projects below.
The Next Stage Grant program is funded through community support. Your donation directly supports local farmers in researching, testing and implementing sustainable farming practices, provides help in times of extreme hardship and makes a lasting community and environmental impact. Please consider supporting the Next Stage Grant program by making a donation today.
2023 NEXT STAGE GRANT AWARDEES:
Prairie Hollow Farm – Rochester, MN
Farm description:
Prairie Hollow Farm offers the exquisite flavors of southeast Minnesota all year long with their unique and diverse selection of vegetables, fruit, foraged mushrooms, farm-fresh cheese, jellies and whole-grain bread–all produced naturally on their family farm.
Project:
“Good Food” food truck to use excess produce and employ the next generation
Updates:
Pam and the rest of the Benike family are very excited to continue the work of Black Cat and see how it works in Rochester. They have made significant progress since receiving the grant, bringing the truck down to Rochester, finding a commercial kitchen and doing a test run of their menu items. Now they are just waiting on permitting to go through, and they are hopeful to get the food truck up and running this year even if it’s only for a couple months!
abdi-mayfield farm – Lindstrom, MN
Farm description:
Abdi-Mayfield Farm is a family-owned and operated small farm located in Lindstrom, MN. They specialize in producing high-quality poultry, goats, beef, and lamb using regenerative agriculture practices and halal processing methods. This method of processing adheres to Islamic dietary laws and allows them to serve the needs of the local Muslim community while providing a high standard of care and respect for the animals they raise.
Project:
Halal Processing Shed
Updates:
Since she received the grant, Kifah Mayfield has purchased a chicken plucker, a small scale fridge, and two freezers – one for the farm, and one to take to market. She has been able to process 100 chickens and use the equipment for both processing and storage. The processing shed itself is still in progress due to labor and funding limitations, but as of right now the equipment is set up in the garage and still able to be fully utilized.
“At Abdi-Mayfield Farm, we believe in the importance of sustainable agriculture and its impact on our broader community. Regenerative agriculture practices prioritize the health of our land, animals, and customers. We work to improve soil health, biodiversity, and water conservation. We are proud to provide locally sourced, high-quality meats that are produced in a way that is both environmentally responsible and respectful of the animals we raise.” – Kifah Mayfield
Rotational Roots – Cannon Falls, MN
Farm description:
“Rotational Roots is a small family farm, growing about 2 acres of vegetables. We use crop rotation, soil saving practices, and cover crops to grow our vegetables and regenerate our land at the same time. We would love to get to know you more because we believe it is so important to know your farmer and where your food comes from!”
Project:
Conversion of garage into a pack shed to include greens & root washing and storage to extend the season
Updates:
Upon receiving the grant this spring, Elizabeth said it would be life changing and make a huge difference on the farm. Since then, they have cleaned out the garage space and framed the pack house area with help from their father-in-law. Insulation has begun, and plumbers and electricians are scheduled to begin work in the coming weeks. A wash conveyor for processing root vegetables has been ordered. “Every step forward feels like a major triumph and we are just so excited to be making this dream a reality,” she said.
Gedef Organic Farm – Ogilvie, MN
Farm description:
Jane Windsperger grows organic vegetables in Kanabek County. Last year she cleared a section of trees and was able to grow food to deliver to The Food Group and The Good Acre wholesale. Jane is an immigrant farmer from Kenya, who lives and farms about an hour north of the Twin Cities. She lives on a 3.8 -acre farm and farms about 1 1/2 acres of vegetables crops.
Project:
Fencing to keep out deer and groundhogs
Updates:
Jane was very happy to hear about the grant funding, and said that she needed this fencing to go on farming– animal and pest pressure has heavily impacted the total yield from her plants in past years. Groundhogs dug under and destroyed the freshly planted crops and deer easily jumped any temporary fencing to eat the ripe tomatoes. Since receiving the grant Jane has been able to fence in a large section of her land, and there have been no deer or other animal problems! Squash and tomatoes have always been eaten by the animals prior to harvest in the past, but this year they all look amazing. There is now enough fenced-in land that other nearby farmers in the area will also be able to use it as well.
Jane also noted that her 2021 Next Stage Grant project tackling irrigation on her land is making a world of difference in a third consecutive year of drought.
Serio Farms – Preston, MN
Farm description:
“Serio Farms is a premier specialty hydroponic grower using cutting edge technology, allowing our farm to maximize flavor, nutrition, and quality unparalleled in traditional supply chains. Cooperating with local vendors, suppliers, and other growers. We participate in the locally sourced and sustainable farmers market and provide farm to table produce. We acknowledge and support the philosophy of locally sourced quality food in conjunction with others who share our passion for quality and health.”
Project:
Cooler for post-harvest storage and season extension
Updates:
Since receiving the grant Andrew has had to adapt his plans due to cost and area needs, but is making good progress nonetheless. As of right now, the top and two side walls are completed, and the cooler door has been obtained. Next up is more spray foam, insulation and building out the two remaining walls. Andrew said he is very thankful for the grant and definitely could not have pursued this project without it, as the project is ending up to be much more expensive than he predicted.
Growing Lots Urban Farm – wheeler, WI
Farm description:
“Growing Lots Urban Farm started out on two previously vacant parking lots in the Seward Neighborhood of South Minneapolis. We built soil on top of the lots by collecting organic waste streams around the city (wood chips, coffee chaff, beer mash, food waste) and in doing so successfully ran a market farm on the lots for 6 seasons! Last fall our leases were not renewed as a housing project is being developed on our main lot this spring. To our surprise and delight we were offered an opportunity to purchase a farm from sellers who were specifically interested in transitioning their land to small scale farmers. We are doing a slight rebrand as we transition to our new farm and will be calling ourselves “Growing Lots…of apples” as our new farm is currently primarily an apple orchard! The orchard is a trellised dwarf orchard consisting of 450 heirloom apple trees. We plan to continue our vegetable CSA and will be establishing space at our new farm this spring for vegetable production. The orchard is expected to have its first full on fruit bearing season this fall. Growing Lots is now not only a vegetable producer, but a perennial fruit farm!”
Project:
The Tractor Purchase
Updates:
Since receiving the Next Stage Grant and purchasing the tractor, Taya and Seamus have put the tractor to use in more ways than they could have predicted. They are still learning how to use it, but the more time they spend on their new land the more uses they find for it. For example, there is only one spot to dump compost when it gets delivered, and it’s far from the fields – they wouldn’t have been able to get it moved manually. It has also made establishing the fields a much more doable task, now able to be done in a fraction of the time that it would without a tractor. Their neighbors at Racing Heart Farm have also been able to share in the benefits of the tractor for moving compost and materials, and the two farms are looking into getting additional implements for the tractor, allowing them to do even more with the equipment. Stay tuned for more information on their farm here.
Cosmic Wheel Creamery – Clear Lake, WI
Farm description:
“Cosmic Wheel Creamery is a farmstead creamery that lives at Turnip Rock Farm. We milk 12 cows that are rotationally grazed and 100% grass fed. All milk goes to making cheese on the farm. We make 8 aged raw milk cheeses and 5 fresh cheeses primarily for farmers market and CSA. Turnip Rock Farm and Cosmic Wheel Creamery are parts of a whole farm ecosystem that include organic veggies, a dairy and cheese making facility, and pastured pork and 100% grass-fed beef. The vast majority of our sales are made through direct marketing. We wholesale to a couple of coops and local restaurants.”
Project:
Advanced Cheesemaking Course in Vermont
Updates:
Since taking the class this spring, Rama has been able to adapt her cheese aging space (lefthand photo) based on recommendations she received, as well as adjusting several approaches at the vat to help the cheese age more successfully. She also has the knowledge to adjust her cheesemaking schedule to the milk and the type of cheese that she wants to make at different points in the season.
“This workshop was beyond useful. So much technical information balanced with practical application and advice. It was enlightening and renewed the passion and curiosity that I had when I first began cheesemaking. I’m excited to have a new approach to my soft-ripened cheese, and to try some adjustments to my washed rind cheese. I’m also experimenting with a tomme style and even a blue! The first of the cheeses that I made after attending the course are ripening now, and I’m already seeing and tasting improvement. I truly appreciate the financial help from the Next Stage Grant. I am so excited to be moving forward with the knowledge gained from the course and I hope to continue to grow as a cheesemaker!” -Rama Hoffpauir
Lisaviole Organic Farm – Lino Lake, MN
Farm description:
Callin Bosire started farming in Africa where her parents were farmers. When she came to America she farmed in a community garden starting in 2014, planting cultural vegetables called Managu and Chinsaga and sell to her community. She started Lisaviole Organic Farm in 2019, and plants both cultural and regional vegetables for sale in order to change the health and lifestyles of the community.
Project:
Paper Pot Transplanter to reduce labor costs and increase production
Updates:
Callin was so excited to hear that she would be able to purchase the transplanter, and is happy to report that it took her half the time it normally takes to get her seedlings into the ground this spring. In addition to saving time, the transplanter makes farming much easier on the body, therefore making the profession more sustainable year after year. At this point in the season, Callin is harvesting the vegetables she transplanted this spring to sell at local farmers markets and wholesale outlets.
Rust hill Ranch – Franconia, MN
Farm description:
Rust Hill Ranch is a regenerative, off-grid farm featuring pastured poultry, forest-raised pork, and grass-fed beef. Founded in 2021 and just 45 miles from Minneapolis, Rust Hill Ranch is transforming a conventional, tilled, corn/soy field to organic perennial pasture with no-till cover cropping. The diverse landscape (woods, water, and pasture) supports a variety of livestock for direct-to-consumer sales to the Twin Cities and lower St. Croix Valley.
Project:
On-Farm Poultry Processing Efficiency & Quality
Updates:
Since receiving the grant this spring they have completed the first preliminary (control) batch of 120 birds as a baseline for analysis in 2023. The next batch will be ready for processing at the end of September. Time and motion studies confirmed a processing rate of approximately 6 birds/hr with the existing equipment, and will be compared after the project to determine the difference in labor hours.
“In addition to our own birds, we have been able to collaborate with other local family farms to assist in the processing of their poultry. These families have remarked that without our assistance, they would not have been able to process their batches in a timely fashion.” -Matt Hardy
Strongheart farms – Marine on St. Croix, MN
Farm description:
“StrongHeart Farms is a regenerative vegetable farm located on two rented plots of land in the St. Croix River Valley. We farm about 3 acres of tasty vegetables split between both locations. 2 acres of our farm is located on Big River Farms incubator program in Marine on St. Croix, and the other 1 acre is located just west of Taylors Falls. Both plots are cultivated in a market garden style so we can provide nutrient-dense, chemical-free produce to ourselves and the surrounding community.”
Project:
Using Compost Teas and Extracts to improve soil health and increase yields on a small scale organic vegetable farm
Updates:
Since this spring, Pearce and Eleanor have gotten compost brewers on site and working well, as well as buying an injection system to integrate into the current irrigation system, making it a 2 in 1. They were happy to report that crops are looking better than they have ever looked despite the drought. They are working out the kinks and getting a clear idea of the recipe and steeping time, then they will be holding an info session at Big River Farms for other farmers interested in using a similar system.
Healthy Green – MAplewood, mn
Farm description:
Healthy Green is a family farm with 10+ years of experience that grows naturally grown vegetables to sell at local farmers markets as well as wholesale through our local food partner The Good Acre. Click here to learn about the Moua Family’s Path Back to the Land.
Project:
Irrigation, walk-in cooler or cleaning machine/harvester
Updates:
Upon receiving the grant, Yee Moua decided that the walk-in cooler was the best use of the funds. As of this summer he is almost done building the cooler, which will be used to store produce overnight rather than harvesting immediately before each market or delivery.
Caliton Family Farm – Clay county, mn
Farm description:
Caliton and his family just purchased 12.9 acres to be developed as organic vegetables. This first year they planted Alfalfa cover crop in an organic transition and 2.9 acres are growing African Eggplant and other vegetable crops. Caliton has a background farming back home in Rwanda, and in 2017 he joined the New Roots Incubator Co-op for three years.
Project:
Caliton Family Farm Well Project
Updates:
Caliton is currently waiting until after harvest to save up the costs necessary to complete the project. He is hoping to have the full amount by the end of the season and will be able to complete the project to have water access before next season.
My Little Garden – Marine on St. Croix, MN
Farm description:
My Little Garden is a small vegetable farm that rents land from Big River Farms in Marine on St. Croix. They’ve been farming for 12 years and have sold to farmers markets and wholesale through The Good Acre.
Project:
My Little Garden Farm Equipment Project – harvest totes, rotary tiller & caterpillar tunnel
Updates:
Stay tuned for updates
Chong and Mao’s Farm – Marine on St. Croix, MN
Farm description:
Chong and Mao’s Farm is a small vegetable farm that rents land from Big River Farms in Marine on St. Croix. They have been farming for 11 years and grow on 7.5 acres of land.
Project:
Chong & Mao Farm Caterpillar Tunnel & Tiller Project
Updates:
Stay tuned for updates