From the Field - A Grower Profile of Featherstone Farm

Nestled in the rolling hills about 15 miles south of Winona, Minnesota is one of the Wedge's newest suppliers of organic produce - Featherstone Farm. Cultivating the fertile, silty-loam soils in the Wiscoy valley, Featherstone Farm provides an assortment of leafy veggies, broccoli, bok choy, napa and colorful heirloom tomatoes for their customers.

Founded in the spring of 1995 by Jack Hedin and Jenni McHugh, Featherstone Farm had a humble beginning. Jack and Jenni rented land from the Zephyr Community, a rural land trust where they are members. They worked 8 acres and produced a small amount of veggies. Their farm equipment was modest and the infrastructure crude.

In 1997, his brother Ed joined Jack. The farm plantings grew and their markets were starting to get established. All the seasons' sales seemed to go back into the farm to purchase better tools and more equipment. Featherstone started their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project and sold at local farmers markets. In 1998, Rhys Williams joined the farm. His background was in orchard management. He had worked an organic farm in New York, and conventional farms in British Columbia and Washington. In 1999, Jack and Rhys partnered as co-owners of Featherstone.

This year Featherstone will farm some 50 acres, including 30 acres in organic vegetables for their Twin Cities Co-ops, CSA and farm market customers. Jenni continues to be involved in the farm, writing the CSA newsletters. The farm has steadily increased in acreage and production volume, with about a 20-25% increase in sales per year.

I asked Jack why he farms organically. Jack's answer was, "The most life affirming project that I could ever do is to farm organically. It is challenging, yet satisfying. I am feeding and enriching the natural environment and the human world."

Jack's great grandfather, A.P. Anderson, inspired Jack's concern for nature and food. Born in 1864 of Swedish descent, Anderson farmed in Featherstone township of Goodhue County, Minnesota. As a farmer and scientist, his love for the natural world inspired his life. During his lifespan, Anderson noticed the destructive mindset of agriculture and as a conservationist he planted nearly 47,000 trees - mainly oak. This visionary left his memoirs in a book entitled the 7th Reader. Jack's respect for his grandfather's life led him to name his venture Featherstone Farm.

I asked Rhys what the difference is between farming organically and conventionally. Rhys' reply was, referring to tree crops, "the conventional farmers farm in a world that is devoid of life, then add a crop and re-introduce water. Once the insect and fungus populations rise, the farmer just sprays chemicals on them to wipe them out. The organic world has living organisms in the soil, and the farmer works with the diversity of life to create a product that is in harmony with its surroundings." Rhys adds, "Organic food is the kind of food that I want to feed my family and my community."

It is inspiring to me to work with Jack, Rhys and the Featherstone farmers to bring their premium-quality vegetables to the Wedge Co-op customers. With all of the disheartening news coming from corporate agriculture, I am hopeful when I meet committed organic farmers who care for the diversity of life on earth and the wholesome food that they provide to their customers. We welcome Featherstone Farm as a hope for the continued future of organic farming. You can visit their website at www.featherstonefarm.com.