By Barth Anderson

Wedge GM Lindy Bannister with Atina Diffley, GOE


Atina and Martin Diffley with Linda Halley, future GOE Farm Manager


Produce Manager Dean Schladweiler with new co-worker Linda Halley

The Wedge Co-op's 2007 Annual Membership Meeting was held at Gardens of Eagan Farm for good reason this year: Farmers Atina and Martin Diffley announced that they were selling their farm to the Wedge Co-op.

"None of our kids wanted it," Martin Diffley told Wedge members in attendance on a warm October afternoon. "But then we thought, the Wedge has 13,000 members. And they all have kids."

Martin was referring to the Wedge and Gardens of Eagans' long and trusting relationship, which now spans 33 years, a relationship that has felt more like family than business. After all, the Wedge and Gardens of Eagan have been through thick and thin: Whether the Diffleys moved their farm (from Eagan to its present location in Farmington), fought oil companies, had bumper or meager crops, the Wedge community has always supported Gardens of Eagan.

"It felt like this purchase was the perfect way to go for us," Atina told the Wedge membership. "Almost more like a marriage."

How Did We Get Here?

It wasn't always looking so perfect, though.

"We were reaching a point in our lives where we wanted to expand beyond production," Atina said, "and have more time and energy for personal interests.

Since 2000, Martin and Atina have been seriously examining the future of Gardens of Eagan. Their interest in easing out of farming naturally presented itself to the Wedge about two years ago through ongoing conversations, until finally, the Diffleys asked the co-op if it might be interested in purchasing the farm. "We came to the Wedge to discuss our options," Atina said.

At the idea of losing Gardens of Eagan (GOE), Produce Manager Dean Schladweiler immediately said, "We can't lose Gardens of Eagan. How can we help?" This opened up conversation between GOE and the Wedge. Atina and Martin were dedicated to finding a serious non-private entity to purchase the farm, but there were no guarantees. After months of investigating that route, things were starting to look uncertain for Gardens of Eagan's future.

"We had largely ruled out selling to a private party," Atina said. "If we couldn't work something out, we were thinking we'd plant the farm to hay and rent it to a grazer."

The prospect of Minnesota losing one of its premier organic farms and steady providers of local, organic food was demoralizing, and this fueled Wedge General Manager Lindy Bannister to seriously consider Martin and Atina's offer.

"At a certain point, it became very clear to us that it was the right thing to do," Lindy said.

So after 18 months of conversation, envisioning, and strategizing, the Wedge was willing and excited to commit to Martin and Atina's goals for the future of the farm, to be the non-private entity to hold the financial assets, manage the production team, and develop an organic educational program at GOE.

But Who'll Farm the Farm?

It's difficult to overstate how highly Martin and Atina Diffley are regarded in the organic farming community as educators and leaders, let alone as farmers. Who, then, could fill those work boots?

Linda Halley, a 2003 Farmer of the Year and 20-year veteran of farm management in Wisconsin and Southern California, will become Gardens of Eagan's manager. Linda was co-owner of Harmony Valley Farms in Viroqua, Wisconsin, for 15 years. Most recently, Linda comes to Gardens of Eagan after serving as general manager of Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens in Santa Barbara, California (the oldest organic farm in that state).

"I think Minnesota wants me back," Linda Halley told the Wedge membership, referring to the gorgeous, sunny weather.

At Fairview Gardens, Linda educated school children, farming interns and community groups on organic farming and sustainable eating. She also established teaching partnerships with the University of California - Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College, redesigned the farm apprenticeship curriculum, and doubled the number of families who participated in Community Supported Agriculture.

"Linda is the perfect choice," said Rick Christianson, Lead Produce Buyer of Co-op Partners Warehouse, when he heard the news.

Same Great Taste

Lindy Bannister says that customers won't notice a difference next season. "The farm will run exactly as it always has," she said. "Why would we change anything?"

But more to the point, the purchase secures an indefinite supply of organic produce. "Through the purchase of Gardens of Eagan, we are ensuring the farm will not be bought by an entity that would convert the land to conventional farming or develop the land for something other than farming," she said.

One of the Diffleys' and Lindy's most exciting prospects is to create an outreach and education program through Gardens of Eagan. "Owning an organic farm, particularly will allow us to broaden our outreach through organic farming internships, tours and other learning opportunities that help people better understand organic farming," Lindy said. "Gardens of Eagan already is doing this, and we hope to expand it."

But what does this mean for Martin and Atina's future? Will the stay in Minnesota?

"I'm going to farm the farm," Linda Halley told the membership, "which will free Martin and Atina to be the farm's educators."

"We're delighted the Diffleys will continue to be a part of Gardens of Eagan," Lindy Banister said. "They'll spearhead the education and outreach programs on the farm."

To which Atina added, "This is where the fun begins."

An article by Atina Diffley explaining the decision to sell Gardens of Eagan

(All Photos by Sarah Zaug, Wedge HR Manager)