Little Timber Farm
Little Timber Farm began in 1929 when Rachel Gray’s great-grandfather, Albert Krueger, moved north from southern Minnesota. Albert began a small farming operation that included dairy cattle, sheep and pigs. The farm continued to grow when it was taken over by Rachel’s grandfather, Donald Krueger. In 1970, Rachel’s dad, Murl Nord, joined the operation and along with his wife, Sue, started Timberedge Farm, a dairy business.
Murl and Sue continued to expand their operation until 2001. That was when they sold the dairy cows and converted the farm to a rotational grazing beef operation. Murl and Sue had a cow/calf business until 2012 when Rachel, along with her husband, Al, purchased the farm and started Little Timber Farm. Rachel and Al ran a cow/calf business until 2018 when they sold the cow herd and began to develop F1 baldy heifers that they marketed throughout the country. Today, Rachel and her family market 500 bred heifers annually to farms and ranches nationwide.
Little Timber Farm specializes in bred heifer development. The family procures top end replacement heifers from ranches that share a passion for great cattle. Those heifers are raised through the winter. Breeding season begins in May; by the end of May, heifers are turned out onto some of the best grass in northern Minnesota. The focus is on raising top end, first cut replacements that will work well in a herd. Cattle are rotationally grazed, and the farm is home to small grain, corn and hay crops. Conservation is very important to the family. The farm is certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program.
Rachel is the main operator of the farm, Al works overseas and helps as often as he can when he is home. Rachel’s son, Nick Grundmeier, works full-time on the farm helping with all aspects of it. Murl is on the farm full-time and assists with all parts of the operation.
Rachel is currently involved in a variety of local and state organizations. She serves as vice president of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, she is a Beltrami County SWCD supervisor, a member of the Kelliher FFA Alumni Association and a board member of the Minnesota Grazing Land Coalition. She volunteers with Common Ground Minnesota and in classrooms helping to educate the public about agriculture.