In the midst of last fall’s hubbub, we had a special experience when Ferndale Market was announced a finalist for a Minnesota Family Business Award through Twin Cities Business. My wife, parents and I rubbed shoulders with fellow families in business, swapping stories on the commonalities among us. Of course, the third generation doesn’t deserve the credit for our [...]

Around here, we often say that if a project isn’t done by July 4th, it probably won’t happen. One of the priorities this winter has been the development of a soon-to-come turkey bratwurst line. I’ll hold you in suspense on the particulars, but tease that we’re featuring Minnesota-inspired flavor collaborations and think they’re all delicious! Since we’ve put a [...]

Bird flu is all over the news these days. Whether it is egg prices, dairy herds testing positive, or the staggering number of poultry lost, it’s hard to miss the talk about avian influenza. We are incredibly grateful that we’ve been largely spared from the worst, but it remains a nearly constant worry and one that’s created disruption at [...]

My new Minnesota Cooks Calendar has officially turned to 2025. As we take stock of last year and look ahead to new opportunities, I thought I’d share what we learned at Ferndale Market in 2024: The formula for turkey farming is ever changing: Someone without a background in farming might assume it’s a straightforward, rinse-and-repeat occupation. For better or worse, [...]

The tents are taken down, the cooler looks empty, and our phones have quieted down after days of our unofficial turkey hotline. Yes, we’ve wrapped up another TurkeyFest. In the days after, I’m always filled with deep gratitude for all it takes to pull off our annual turkey season. I’ll also admit to feeling a bit of astonishment that [...]

One of my favorite events each fall is the annual Minneapolis Public Schools Community BBQ, a showcase of their ambitious farm-to-school initiative and the farms it supports. This year, the BBQ fell on a picture-perfect night, a great community of fellow local foodies, with the Minneapolis skyline as our backdrop. The Ferndale turkey tacos and my unexpected win in [...]

I’m a huge fan of the Minnesota State Fair, so one of my absolute summer highlights was enjoying the new Turkey Kristo sandwich at the Minnesota Farmer’s Union Coffee Shop. Of course, I’d love to tell you that the Ferndale turkey stole the show, but the spirit of an authentically local sandwich – including CannonBelles cheese – made it all the [...]

When it comes to farming, there’s no secret recipe, simple hack or product that solves everything. For better or for worse, I think most farming and animal care knowledge is gained best through experience. If we have a secret sauce around here, it’s that we’re blessed with an incredibly experienced farm team. For those keeping track at home, this [...]