The Petersons

Near Northfield, Mike and Kay Peterson, along with sons Shane and Blake, raise corn, soybeans and hogs on their almost 100-year-old third-generation family farm. And they do it using smart conservation practices. That includes zone-tilling, no-tilling and establishing several acres of pollinator habitat.

“What we do isn’t extreme, but it makes sense for our farm,” Mike said. The Petersons also participate in USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program. Recently, they began a new venture, in part, to interact with the local community – a farmer’s market selling stone ground wheat flour.

“We really look forward to being out there. It’s important for farmers to do things like this to connect with non-farmers.”