It’s probably true in business and life that we don’t take enough opportunities to look back and celebrate our accomplishments. I like to keep plowing ahead and tackle the next thing in front of me. That being said, I appreciate the new year as a chance to reflect on all that happened at Ferndale Market in 2025. Here are four things we’re proud of as we look back:

  • Turkey Bratwurst! After many months of planning and tasting, we launched our new lineup of turkey brats in May.  We were intentional about crafting flavors featuring Minnesota collaborations and making them at our local smokehouse, Lorentz Meats.  The brats have been a hit!  Better yet, they represent our commitment to local partnerships and distinctive foods.

  • The Coop! By midsummer, we opened our new grain bin picnic shelter at the market, affectionately known as The Coop. We envision visitors relaxing on the farm and enjoying a local snack while they’re here. We count ourselves lucky that Cannon Falls is a community of so many destinations, and we hope The Coop becomes another place to stop while enjoying our community.

  • Flying Turkeys! This was the year that our e-commerce business grew out of its infancy.  Sure, it’s probably still a toddler learning to walk, but we’ve come a long way. We’re now experts in box cube efficiency and dry ice handling, and we’re shipping our turkey to doorsteps across the country each week. Like any small business, we need to diversify to survive, and e-commerce has helped us connect with new fans who see the difference in our Ferndale turkey.

  • Making the Old New(er)! Turns out 80-year-old farms require constant upkeep, and we spent a lot of energy in 2025 ensuring we’re here for the long haul. In an era where the big get bigger, we doubled-down on what we do differently. We built new range shelters and did a major update to our oldest barn on the farm, now with even a bit of modern technology! We’re re-investing in what brought us this far.

Stories of the challenges in agriculture today are everywhere. It’s never an easy business, but we’ve found a path by doing something different. These small accomplishments in 2025 capture that spirit. Credit goes to our team for pulling this all off, and much more, of course. And, to all of you for supporting our farm and market to make it all possible.

Here’s to more progress and turkey in 2026!