WDSE >> HOW ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP THEM DOWN ON THE FARM ONCE THEY’VE SEEN PARIS?

TAKE THEM TO FORM LOW LOW.

I’M KEN BUEHLER.

THIS IS IN BUSINESS.

THIS WEEK WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FAMILY FARM AND HOW IT HAS CHANGED AND HOW IT HAS EVOLVED.

HERE ON FORM LOLA, THEY HAVE CHICKENS, THEY HAVE FRUIT, THEY HAVE SOLAR AND ELECTRICITY.

THE FARMING INDUSTRY IS CHANGING EVEN MORE RAPIDLY.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT, VISIT A COUPLE FARMS AND FIND OUT FROM THE ST.

LOUIS COUNTY EXTENSION EXPERT ABOUT AGRI-TOURISM AND HOW THAT’S CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE THAT IS NOW THE LANDSCAPE OF FARMING.

I WOULD HAS CHANGED FROM BACK IN THE 1960’S AND EARLY 1970’S ON A PLACE CALLED GREENACRES.

FROM 1965 TO 1971, EDDIE ALBERT STARTED IN GREENACRES ON CBS.

HE WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL NEW YORK ATTORNEY WHO HAD A MIDLIFE CRISIS AND DECIDED FARMING WAS HIS FUTURE.

HE GRABBED HIS WIFE AND THEY MOVED TO GREENACRES, WHICH STARTED A COMEDY THAT LASTED FOR MANY YEARS ON CBS.

THAT IS KIND OF THE WAY I’M FEELING RIGHT NOW.

I’M KIND OF ON THE FARM, KIND OF LIKE EDDIE ALBERT.

KIND OF LIKE THE SONG THAT STARTED THE SHOW.

GREENACRES IS WHERE I WANT.

TO BE FARM LIVING, THAT’S THE LIFE FOR ME.

STRETCHING OUT SO FAR AND WIDE, KEEP MANHATTAN AND GIVE ME THAT COUNTRY SIDE.

NOTHING LIKE GREENACRES.

THIS IS IN BUSINESS.

I'M KEN BUEHLER.

WE ARE DOWN ON THE FARM.

KEN: WELCOME TO IN BUSINESS.

I'M KEN BUEHLER.

THIS WEEK, WE’RE LOOKING AT AGRI-TOURISM.

FOR MANY FARMERS ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN, SUCCESS TAKES MORE THAN GROWING CROPS.

MANY ARE FINDING NEW WAYS TO CONNECT WITH THE PUBLIC, CREATING UNIQUE EXPERIENCES THAT HELP SUPPORT THEIR FARMS WHILE GIVING VISITORS A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE RURAL LIFE.

WE BEGIN AT A FARM WHERE GUESTS CAN BOOK A STAY AND EXPERIENCE LIFE ON THE FARM FIRSTHAND.

THIS IS IN BUSINESS AND THESE CHICKENS ARE ALL LOCALLY LAID.

WE ARE AT FARM LOLA.

JASON IS OUR SPECIAL GUEST.

WE ARE TAKING A TOUR OF HIS FAMILY FARM.

IT IS A MULTI-USED FORM IN THAT THEY RAISED CHICKENS, ELECTRICITY, AND BERRIES.

WE WILL FIND OUT ALL ABOUT IT COMING UP ON IT IN BUSINESS.

JASON IS A FORMER ON EXPENSIVE LAND.

HOW MANY ACRES?

>> ABOUT 40.

KEN: JUST OUTSIDE OF RENSHAW.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BUSINESS AND HOW IT’S DIVERSIFIED.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A FARMER?

>> NO, IT WAS A MIDLIFE CRISIS.

WHEN I WAS 40 I LOST MY JOB NOT ONCE BUT TWICE, AND I THOUGHT WHAT IS THE DUMBEST THING I COULD POSSIBLY DO?

ONE OF THEM IS ENTER AGRICULTURE.

THIS IS A FRUIT FROM RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

THEY ORIGINATED ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SIBERIA.

WE ARE THE FIRST GROWER IN THE COUNTRY.

WE STARTED AROUND 8000 PLANTS.

THEY CAN BE USED AS ANY OTHER FRUIT, PIES, JAMS, SCONES, PUT IT INTO ICE CREAM.

IF YOU CAN ENVISION BLUEBERRY, BUT A HONEY BEERI, IT IS LIKE A BLUEBERRY THAT FELL INTO A PACK OF SWEET TURKS.

SOME OF THE MARK HURD, SOME OF THEM ARE SWEET.

SOME ARE SEVERED.

WHEN PEOPLE ARRIVE, WE DO A LOT OF EDUCATION.

NO, THEY ARE NOT ALL RIGHT AT THE SAME TIME.

YOU CAN PICK HERE, YOU CAN’T PICK HERE.

WHEN THEY PICK BLUEBERRIES, THEY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

WE DO A LOT OF EDUCATION WITH HONEYBERRY’S.

WHEN WE GET RETURNING CUSTOMERS, THEY HAVE A FLAVOR PROFILE IN MIND AND THEY KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO PICK.

THEY COME TO US AND SAY WE WANT THIS.

KEN: AND YOU TAKE THEM TO THAT PART OF THE FARM?

EXACTLY >>.

WE ARE VERY STRINGENT ON WHERE WE WANT PEOPLE TO PICK OUT HOW TO PICK.

IT IS INTERESTING FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACCUSTOMED TO IT.

WITH BLUEBERRIES, YOU ARE USED TO.

MOVING STRAWBERRY PICKING, YOU ARE USED TO MOVING.

WE HAVE A SACK OF MILK CRATES FOR A REASON.

THAT IS DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE TO SIT.

IT IS A VERY SEDENTARY PROCESS WHEN YOU PICK A HONEYBERRY BECAUSE THERE ARE THREE TO FOUR POUNDS PER PLANT.

WE TELL PEOPLE TO GO SLOW.

EVERY PLANT SHOULD TAKE PEOPLE CLOSE TO AN HOUR IF NOT MORE.

IT IS SHOCKING THE AMOUNT OF FRUIT.

KEN: I SEE WHAT YOU’RE SAYING.

IT IS LIKE A BLUEBERRY, BUT CROSSED WITH SWEET TARTS.

EACH ONE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT BUT IT’S A UNIQUE TASTE.

>> IT’S VERY UNIQUE AND ALSO IT DOES NOT HAVE THE FIRMNESS OF A BLUEBERRY.

IT IS NATURALLY SOFT.

THAT’S WHY THE HEAT IS SO MUCH WORSE FOR THIS THING.

KEN: YOU WERE TELLING ME THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS THREATENING THEM.

>> IT IS BRUTAL.

WE ARE GETTING OUR TEETH KICKED IN BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE PUT THESE IN THE GROUND AND 2016.

THE FIRST "REAL CROP" WAS 2019.

WE CAN GET CONSISTENTLY A SIX TO SEVEN WEEK SEASON.

HERE WE ARE IN 2026, LESS THAN 10 YEARS LATER AND WE ARE LUCKY IF WE CAN GET TWO WEEKS.

THIS IS THE FIRST ACCESSORY BUILDING THAT WE BUILT.

THIS WAS A BUNKHOUSE THAT WE BUILT.

NOT ONLY WAS IT DESIGNED TO BE OUT ON THE FIELD, IT IS INSULATED LIKE A TISSUE BOX.

THIS IS A BUNKHOUSE WE HAD PEOPLE SLEEPING IN WITH CHICKENS.

WHEN I FIRST PITCHED THE IDEA TO THE COUNTY, I SAID, I WANT SOMETHING WHERE PEOPLE CAN SLEEP NEXT TO CHICKENS.

THIS WOMAN FROM PLANNING AND ZONING SAID I DON’T GET THIS.

I SAID, THE CONCEPT IS YOU SLEEP NEXT TO CHICKENS, ONE THIRD CHICKEN COOP, TWO THIRDS PEOPLE.

THE WOMAN’S SOME -- FROM PLANNING AND ZONING SAID NO ONE WOULD EVER SLEEP THERE.

AND I CALLED HER AND SAID, I WILL PROVE YOU WRONG.

AND SURE ENOUGH WE HAVE BEEN BOOKED OUT.

KEN: WHAT IS THE APPEAL?

>> I THINK THE APPEAL IS THE NOVELTY.

THE APPEAL IS THE PRICE.

IT IS AN EXPERIENCE WHERE THEY CAN BE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION OF FOOD SO IT IS VERY TACTILE.

THEY CAN PUT THE BIRDS TO BED AND OPEN THEM UP IN THE MORNING.

THEY CAN BE INVOLVED IN BASICALLY SEEING WHERE THE FOOD COMES FROM.

THAT’S NOT COMMON ANYMORE.

KEN: IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN, IT IS DIVERSIFICATION.

ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE FORMS I’VE SEEN IS YOUR SOLAR FARM.

>> IT IS TRULY A SOLAR FARM.

WE ARE DARNED NEAR MAXED OUT TO OUR KILOWATTS AND WE DID ALL THE WORK OURSELVES.

WE BUILD EVERYTHING OURSELVES.

WHAT WE DID IS WE WORK WITH A COMPANY.

THEY ARE ELECTRICIANS.

SOMEBODY TOLD US WHAT TO BUY.

THEY INTERACTED WITH UTILITY.

WE BUILT THE WHOLE ARRAY AND BOUGHT THE SOLAR PANELS AND THE EQUIPMENT.

IT’S PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD AND WE HAVE KEPT IT DELIBERATELY AT THE WRONG SLOPE.

WE KEPT IT AT A 45.

WE DID THAT BECAUSE THE SNOW IS OFF.

IF WE PUT OUT THE PROPER LONGITUDE, IT WOULD NOT MAKE SENSE.

IT WOULD NEVER WORK.

WHAT WE FOUND IS THE PANELS TO THE FRONT, THEY ARE CALLED BIFACIAL MEANING THEY TAKE ENERGY FROM BOTH SIDES.

WHEN WE PUT THE PANELS UP, IT WAS ROUGHLY $.55 PER WATT.

THE NEXT YEAR WHEN WE PUT THE PANELS UP BEHIND IT, APPROXIMATELY $.22 PER WATT.

IT MADE NO SENSE FOR INITIALLY -- FINANCIALLY TO PUT THE REGULAR ONES.

KEN: SO YOU ARE PRODUCING ELECTRICITY, YOU USE IT ON THE FARM.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE EXCESS?

>> IT GOES BACK TO THE GRID AND WE SELL IT BACK TO MINNESOTA POWER.

WE GET DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR ON EVERY TIME MINNESOTA POWER GETS TO INCREASE ITS RATES, WE GET A PAY RATE.

KEN: JASON IS THE OWNER ALONG WITH HIS WIFE LUCY IS THE FARM -- AT THE FARM LOLA.

YOU SAID THIS WAS A MIDLIFE CRISIS.

WHEN HE FIRST IMAGINED YOU STARTED, DID YOU IMAGINE IT WOULD BE LIKE THIS?

>> I DIDN’T.

IT IS JUST ONE MORE BIG PRATFALL.

ONE MORE LEARNING JOURNEY.

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A WORLD WAR II VETERAN.

HE WAS IN A CONSTRUCTION BATTALIONS.

IN KOREA, HE WAS SOMEONE WHO COULD DO ANYTHING, FIX ANYTHING.

AS I GOT OLDER, I REALIZED I HAVE NOTHING BUT A FRACTION OF HIS ABILITY THAT IS ANY KIND OF USEFUL, TACTILE BUILDING OR FIXING ANYTHING.

WE DO A LOT OF MACHINE WORK HERE.

WE DO A LOT OF BUILDING AND FIXING AND MAINTAINING.

WHAT WE ARE DOING IS STEWARDS.

AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF STEWARDSHIP NOT JUST FOR THE LAND.

BY HAVING THE AIRBNB, WE FIND THAT WE DO SHOCKING AMOUNTS OF EDUCATION.

PEOPLE COME HERE WITH EVEN THE MOST BASIC QUESTIONS LIKE HOW DOES THIS WORK?

WHAT IS IN THE FEED?

DON’T YOU HAVE ROOSTERS?

THINGS YOU ARE NEVER EXPOSED TO.

WE FIND A BIG TRANSFORMATION WITH THE KIDS.

THEY GET TO PLAY WITH THE CHICKENS.

YOU WILL SEE SIX YEARS OLD -- SIX-YEAR-OLDS WHO ARE TENTATIVE AND BY THE END OF THE DAY THEY ARE PICKING THEM UP.

THERE WAS A GIRL HERE WAS, JUST GOT HER PERMIT, SHE WAS TERRIFIED OF DRIVING.

I PUT HER BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A TRACTOR AND HER PARENTS WERE SO HAPPY BECAUSE SHE WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE.

WE SEE THE TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES ALL THE TIME ON THE FARM AND IT IS A FUNCTION OF THAT EDUCATION.

KEN: WE HAVE BEEN VISITING ON IN BUSINESS.

FIRMING IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN IS DIFFICULT.

WE ARE NOT THE RED RIVER VALLEY AND THE GROWING SEASON IS, WELL, LIKE YOUR SUMMER VACATION.

SOMETIMES TOO SHORT.

THOSE CHALLENGES LEAD TO INNOVATION AND EXPERIMENTATION.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL SMALL FARMERS HAVE HAD TO LEARN IT'S NOT JUST FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

WE'VE VISITED WITH AREA FARMERS WHO ARE RAISING ELECTRICITY ON SOME OF THEIR LAND WITH A SOLAR FARM.

OTHERS HAVE STARTED HOME GROWN PIZZA NIGHTS, TURNED THEIR BARNS INTO THEATRES AND HOST FILM FESTIVALS AND EMBRACED AGRI-TOURISM WELCOMING GUESTS IN VRBO CABINS COMPLETE WITH OPTIONAL CHORES.

THESE ARE SMALL ENTREPRENEURIAL FARMSTEADS THAT ARE BECOMING A GROWING SEGMENT OF OUR RURAL ECONOMIES.

A PERFECT TOPIC FOR IN BUSINESS AND OUR ROUNDTABLE GUESTS.

FREYA THURMER IS AN EXTENSION EDUCATOR IN AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND ST.

LOUIS COUNTY.

JOHN BEATON IS HALF OF THE HUSBAND WIFE TEAM THAT RUN FAIRHAVEN FARM NORTHEAST OF TWIG.

HE'S ALSO THE MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR THE MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF THE ECONOMICS OF SMALL FARMS HERE IN ST.

LOUIS COUNTY AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA?

>> THANKS FOR ASKING.

I THINK FARMS HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES BUT ALSO A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY.

FARMING HAS NEVER BEEN ONE FOR THE RISK ADVERSE.

FARMERS TODAY ARE DEALING WITH RISING COSTS, UNPREDICTABLE AND ERRATIC WEATHER AND ARE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING ON SMALL ACREAGE DIVERSIFIED FARMING, WHICH LOOKS REALLY DIFFERENT THAN COMMODITY FIRMS FURTHER SOUTH.

THAT SAID, I SEE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE AREA.

MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE WANTING TO KNOW WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM AND WHO IS GROWING THAT FOOD.

THAT MAKES IT A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FARMERS HERE WHO ARE PRODUCING VEGETABLES, EGGS, RAISING LIVESTOCK, MAPLE SYRUP, HONEY AND FLOWERS.

THERE IS A COMMUNITY THAT WANTS TO ENGAGE WITH WHO IS GROWING THEIR FOOD.

FARMERS ARE FINDING A LOT OF SUCCESS IN DIRECT SALES, WHETHER THROUGH FARMERS MARKETS, CSA’S, FARM STANDS AND AGRI-TOURISM OPERATIONS.

IT IS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH WHO IS PRODUCING THEIR FOOD, HOW IT IS BEING PRODUCED AND IS WELL WITH OTHERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY WHO VALUE THE SAME THING.

KEN: TELL US HOW FAIRHAVEN FARM FITS INTO THE PICTURE THAT FREYA JUST GAVE US.

>> FAIRHAVEN FARM IS A DIVERSE OPERATION THAT MY WIFE AND I HAVE OPERATED FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS AND AT THE FARM WE RAISED STARTER PLANTS THAT I’LL START FROM SEED AND SELL TO HOME GARDENERS.

WILL RAISE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT WE SELL.

WE ALSO RAISE A SMALL FLOCK OF ICELANDIC SHEEP AND WE ALSO DO PIZZA NIGHTS DURING THE SUMMER.

EVERY FRIDAY WE OPEN THE FARM UP TO THE PUBLIC AND SERVE WOODFIRED PIZZAS FOR FOLKS TO ENJOY WITH MUCH OF THE INGREDIENTS EITHER GROWN ON-SITE OR SOURCED FROM OTHER LOCAL FARMS.

KEN: WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THE PIZZA NIGHTS BECAUSE I’M INTERESTED IN THAT.

YOU CALL YOUR PHILOSOPHY GROWING THE GOOD LIFE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

JOHN: THIS WAS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR US SUCH A FARM, -- FOR US AT THE FARM, WHERE WE ARE NOT JUST TRYING TO SELL THINGS.

WE ARE TRYING TO BRING PEOPLE TO THE FIRM.

THAT IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS.

THAT IS WHERE THE TRANSFORMATION AND UNDERSTANDING HAPPENS.

AND THEN AS WE DO THAT AND WE OFFER UP THE FOOD WE GROW AND BRING PEOPLE INTO THE FIELD, WE TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT SOIL HEALTH AND SHOW FOLKS HOW THE FOOD IS GROWN SO THEY CAN GAIN AN APPRECIATION FOR THAT.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT FOLKS THEN LEAVE INSPIRED.

IT IS INSPIRED NOT JUST TO CONTINUE TO BE OUR CUSTOMERS, BUT TO SUPPORT FARMERS IN OUR REGION IN GENERAL.

IF WE ARE DOING OUR JOB WELL, WE ARE HELPING FOLKS TO CONNECT TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF LOCAL FARMERS.

KEN: YOU TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT AGRI-TOURISM.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT FARMERS ARE DOING TO BRING IN PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA FOR THE FARM EXPERIENCE?

FREYA: THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS IN THE AREA, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE A GORGEOUS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, STRONG TOURISM ECONOMY, AND A COMMUNITY THAT WANTS TO SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES.

THE AGRI-TOURISM OFFERINGS ARE REALLY FAST AND IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT MAKES INDIVIDUAL FIRMS UNIQUE.

AND FOR THOSE FARMERS TO FIND A NICHE OF WHAT THEY CAN OFFER AS OPPOSED TO JUST OFFERING WHAT JOHN IS OFFERING BUT WHAT WORKS FOR THEM.

SOME MIGHT LOOK AT THEIR FARM AND REALIZE THEY HAVE FANTASTIC VIEWS AND THEY WANT TO SHARE THAT AND THEY MIGHT HAVE A FIRM STAY -- PHARMA STAY.

IT COULD BE IN A CHICKEN FIELD.

PEOPLE CAN LOOK AND SEE A HERD OF CATTLE OR SHEEP GRAZING.

IT COULD BE HAVING A REALLY UNIQUE AND GORGEOUS CENTURY BAR AND YOU WANT TO TURN INTO A WEDDING VENUE SO OTHER PEOPLE CAN CELEBRATE THAT HISTORY.

THEY CAN BE WELCOMING KIDS IN SUMMER CAMPS TO YOUR FARM.

GOAT YOGA HAS BECOME POPULAR.

ALSO IT CAN BE SOMETHING MORE FAMILIAR LIKE A PUMPKIN PATCH OR CORN MAZE.

IT’S ABOUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THAT FARM AND INDIVIDUAL RUNNING IT HAS TO OFFER, THAT MAKES IT AN EXPERIENCE THAT IS UNIQUE AND INSPIRING.

KEN: THAT BRINGS US BACK TO FARM FRIDAY PIZZA NIGHT.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA AND HOW MUCH OF THE INGREDIENTS ARE GROWN ON THE FARM?

WE GROW MANY OF THE INGREDIENTS ON OUR FARM.

I WILL TALK ABOUT THAT FIRST.

MY FAVORITE THING TO GROW IS TOMATOES, SO WE GROW ALL OF THE TOMATOES THAT GO INTO THE SAUCE AND SO WE HAVE SPECIALS THAT ROTATE EVERY WEEK.

WE USE FRESH VEGETABLES BUT THE MOST POPULAR PIZZA IS THE ITALIAN SAUSAGE.

THIS USES OUR OWN BASIL THAT WE GROW.

WE ALSO UTILIZE THE ITALIAN SAUSAGE FROM ANOTHER LOCAL FARM DOWN BY CARLTON.

KEN: FAIRHAVEN FARM IS NORTH OF BARTLETT, WHICH IS WHERE THE SMOKER SHOW ROAD CROSSES WHAT USED TO BE THE DULUTH WINNIPEG AND PACIFIC RAILROAD AND NOW THE CANADIAN NATIONAL.

ONE TIME IT WAS A STATION STOP AND LOGGING YARD.

WITH THAT HISTORY, WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOR FIRMS IN THE AREA?

FREYA: AS I HAVE MENTIONED, THE FUTURE IS POSITIVE IN THAT WE HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT WANTS TO SUPPORT THESE OPERATIONS AND WE ARE AT A TIME WHEN FARMERS CAN REACH THE PUBLIC IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

WE CAN UTILIZE SOCIAL MEDIA, UTILIZE LOCAL BROADCASTING, AND LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT WHAT THE OFFERINGS ARE, AND OFFER EXPERIENCES THAT ARE NOT ONLY UNIQUE, BUT REALLY AUTHENTIC TO RURAL COMMUNITIES UP HERE THAT SHOWCASE THE HARD WORK FARMERS ARE DOING, AND THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE AREA.

I THINK IT’S A REALLY GREAT WAY TO BUILD COMMUNITY.

I HAVE BEEN TO PIZZA NIGHT AT FAIRHAVEN FARM MANY TIMES WITH MY FAMILY.

WHEN YOU GO UP THERE, YOU ARE HAVING DELICIOUS PIZZA, BUT YOU ARE ENGAGING WITH YOUR FARMER AND LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS, AND OTHERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK NOW IS THE TIME WHEN MANY OF US ARE HUNGRY FOR THE PIZZA AND PERSONAL CONNECTION.

KEN: WE DID HEAR ABOUT THE THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND HOW THAT AFFECTS FARMING.

HOW IS IT AFFECTING FARMING FOR YOU AND THE OTHER FARMERS?

JOHN: THE CHANGING CLIMATE REALLY CREATES EVEN MORE CHALLENGES FOR FARMERS.

THAT BEING SAID, FARMERS ARE THE MOST ATTUNED TO ADAPT AND SOME OF THE MOST RESILIENT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT TO BE LEARNED FROM FARMERS.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE FARMERS AND STEWARDSHIP OF THEIR LAND CAN PLAY A KEY ROLE IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND CREATING SOLUTIONS TO CREATE RESILIENCY FROM THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

FREYA: I THINK THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS A SERIOUS THREAT THAT IS CONCERNING A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF FARMERS.

THAT IS ONE GREAT THING ABOUT AGRI-TOURISM.

IT IS ALLOWING FARMERS TO DIVERSIFY THEIR INCOME STREAM.

IF THERE’S A YEAR THAT A CROP IS NOT AS SUCCESSFUL AS THEY ANTICIPATED, THEY HAVE THIS OTHER AVENUE OF BRINGING PEOPLE ONTO THE FARMS.

THAT CAN HELP BALANCE THINGS OUT.

THE UNIVERSITY IS CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH FARMERS TO HELP US NAVIGATE WHAT CROPS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE AND WHAT WE WILL DO IN THE CHANGING CLIMATE.

KEN: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT FARMING?

JOHN: MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT FARMING IS THE CONSTANT AND CONTINUAL LEARNING THAT COMES ALONG WITH IT.

IT IS INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATING AND ALSO IT CHALLENGES EVERYTHING ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON.

AND I REALLY ENJOY THAT.

I THINK WE ARE LIVING IN AN AMAZING TIME.

PERIOD WHERE WE CAN LOOK TO THE PAST AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

NOW WE HAVE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND METHODS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MOVE FORWARD.

KEN: JOHN BEATON IS HALF OF THE HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM AT FAIRHAVEN FARMS.

FREYA THURMER IS WITH ST.

LOUIS COUNTY EXTENSION AND TEACHES AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES AT UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US THIS EVENING.

HERE’S A QUICK LOOK AT SOME BUSINESS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE REGION.

MESABI METALLICS HAS COMPLETED ITS FIRST PRODUCTION BLAST AT ITS NASHWAUK MINE, MARKING A MAJOR MILESTONE TOWARD BEGINNING IRON ORE PELLET PRODUCTION LATER THIS YEAR.

THE IRON WORKERS LOCAL 512 TRAINING FACILITY IN HERMANTOWN IS EXPANDING WITH A 7000 SQUARE FOOT ADDITION TO HELP MEET DEMAND FROM MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDING THE BLATNIK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT.

MINNESOTA ADDED 13,200 JOBS IN JUNE, MARKING THREE CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OF JOB GROWTH.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY THE GROWTH OUTPACED THE NATIONAL RATE, WITH GAINS LED BY HEALTH CARE, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, MANUFACTURING, AND THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

OFFICIALS FROM JAPAN’S EXTERNAL TRADE ORGANIZATION VISITED THE IRON RANGE THIS WEEK.

THE DELEGATION TOURED U.S.

STEEL’S KEETAC MINE AND MET WITH REGIONAL LEADERS TO DISCUSS MINING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND FUTURE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

TO WRAP UP THIS WEEK'S IN BUSINESS ON THE CHANGES IN AGRICULTURE TAKING SHAPE ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN, WE CHECKED THE STATE OF FARMING IN THE STATE WITH THE ANTI-MONOPOLY DIRECTOR OF THE MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION.

THEY HELD A ROUNDTABLE OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND WE WERE THERE TO LISTEN AND LEARNING.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CHANGES IN AGRICULTURE IN OUR COMMUNICATE IN MINNESOTA AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

WITH US IS JUSTIN, THE ANTI-MONOPOLY DIRECTOR FOR THE MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION OR FARMERS UNION ACTUALLY.

IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1909 IN TEXAS.

>> YES.

IN 1918 HERE IN MINNESOTA.

IN JACKSON COUNTY.

WE HAVE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

KEN: WHAT IS THE FARMERS UNION?

>> WE ARE A GRASSROOTS MEMBERSHIP, THE GENERAL FARM, REPRESENTING RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS SINCE THEN.

WE ARE GRASSROOTS AND WE HELP SET POLICY AND WE REPRESENT ALL FLUKES PRODUCING LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

KEN: LOTS HAS CHANGED IN FARMING SINCE THE 1950’S AFTER WORLD WAR II.

THE USDA SAYS $.50 OF EVERY DOLLAR SPENT IN AGRICULTURE WAS SPENT WITH SMALL FAMILY FARMS IN THE 1950’S.

I BELIEVE IT IS 14.3 CENTS RIGHT NOW AND THAT IS LAST YEAR’S FIGURE, SO IT HAS CONTINUED TO DECLINE.

HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED THE FARMING INDUSTRY FOR YOUR MEMBERS?

>> WE ARE REALLY IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS IN FARM COUNTRY IN MINNESOTA.

FOLKS ARE FACING SKYROCKETING INPUT PRICES, ISSUES LIKE TARIFFS AND OTHER THINGS HAVE CLOSED OFF THE MARKETS FOR FOLKS.

SOME OF THAT IS MORE RECENT.

IT IS ON TOP OF MORE STRUCTURAL REASONS WHERE AGRICULTURE HAS BEEN CONSOLIDATED AND THESE LARGE MIDDLEMEN ARE SOFTENING -- SIPHONING OFF AN INCREASING SHARE OF WHAT FARMERS USE TO OWN.

KEN: THAT’S AFFECTED THE NUMBER OF FARMS IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE ABOUT 64,000 BUT WE’VE LOST 1300 OR 1400 IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

IS THIS A TREND THAT WILL CONTINUE?

IF SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR PEOPLE AT THE GROCERY STORE?

>> IF WE DON’T DO ANYTHING ON A POLICY FRONT TO CREATE A FAIRER, MORE DEMOCRATIC MARKETPLACE FOR FARMERS AND ALL ACROSS OUR ECONOMY, THAT TREND WILL UNFORTUNATELY CONTINUE.

I THINK THERE IS CERTAINLY ENERGY, WE SEE THAT IN OUR MEMBERSHIP LIKE YOUNG PEOPLE WANT TO GET INTO FARMING.

THEY WANT TO GET INTO THIS INDUSTRY.

WE NEED A MARKETPLACE FOR THEM TO GET INTO.

IT HAS THAT TRICKLE EFFECT AND THE SORT OF DISCONNECT IS THAT FOLKS ARE PAYING HIGHER PRICES AT THE GROCERY STORE.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO FARMERS.

IT IS THAT CONSOLIDATION IN THE MIDDLE DRIVING DOWN WHAT FARMERS ARE EARNING AND DRIVING UP WHAT YOU AND I ARE PAYING.

KEN: JOSEPH IS THE ANTI-MONOPOLY DIRECTOR FOR THE MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION AND THE FARMERS UNION NATIONALLY WORKING FOR FARMERS.

THESE TRENDS YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT ABOUT YOUNG FARMERS GETTING INTO THE INDUSTRY, WHAT ARE THEY BRINGING WITH THEM THAT MAY CHANGE THIS TREND WE ARE SEEING?

>> THEY ARE BRINGING WITH THEM AND.

SOMETIMES THERE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE NOT FROM THE INDUSTRY INITIALLY.

THEY ARE BRAND-NEW TO FARMING.

THEY DON’T HAVE FAMILY IN AGRICULTURE.

THEY MAY BE BRINGING NEW IDEAS AND INNOVATION AS WELL.

KEN: WHAT ARE THE STANDARDS IN FARMING THAT YOU DON’T THINK WE’LL EVER GO AWAY?

WHAT IS THE BOTTOM SUPPORT THAT KEEPS FARMING INTERESTING TO PEOPLE?

>> I THINK JUST THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, PROVIDE FOR YOUR STATE.

JUST A WAY OF LIFE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IS SOMETHING THAT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE APPEALING TO FOLKS.

KEN: JUSTIN IS THE ANTIMONOPOLY DIRECTOR FOR THE FARMERS UNION HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I’M KEN BUEHLER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING IN BUSINESS.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PARTS OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, YOU CAN ALWAYS WATCH IT AT PBSNORTH.ORG OR LISTEN ON MONDAYS AT 5:30 P.M.

ON THE NORTH 1033.

AND IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A FUTURE STORY ON IN BUSINESS, WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, EMAIL US AT ASK@PBSNORTH.ORG.

THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING AND UNTIL NEXT TIME, LET'S TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

♪