Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley is recognized as a 2024 ‘U of M Farm Family’
Moorhead, Minn. (06/20/2024) —Farm in the Dell of Moorhead has been named Clay County’s “2024 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.
Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley was formed in 2012 by a group of parents who each had a teen with a developmental disability. Their kids were graduating soon and about to enter a time with many unknowns: What would their next steps be? What would their employment look like? Or their social life?
After months of research and hard work, Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley was officially incorporated on July 5, 2012. Since then, Farm in the Dell has provided meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the beautiful farm and garden setting.
Farm in the Dell is nestled on a 25-acre plot near Moorhead in Clay County. Along with a handful of full-time staff and dozens of volunteers, the farm employs more than 30 people who have developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and muscular dystrophy, providing them with purposeful employment, a steady paycheck and a place to belong.
Each season, dozens of varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers are grown. Farm organizers sell produce through the farm’s CSA program and at local farmers markets.
Anna Sather is the executive director of the farm. Cathryn Erbele serves as operations lead, and Duane Cwikla is the farm’s garden manager. The board of directors includes its
president, Dave Sigler; vice president, Reuben Veiland; Zach Bartsch is the board secretary and Meg Bradley is treasurer. Dave Jensen, Tara Bujold, David Tibbals, Jaden Weiland and Kim Vannett all serve as board members.
Farm in the Dell is connected to the community. They have partnerships with dozens of local organizations, including other non-profits, other farms, farmers markets, retail businesses, and
The families will be officially recognized in a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 8 at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Minn. Profiles of the 2024 honorees can be found on the University’s farm family website, https://extension.umn.edu/farm-families.
Honored families are chosen, one per county, by local University of Minnesota Extension committees based on their demonstrated commitment to their communities and to enhancing and supporting agriculture.
“These farm families are a major driver of Minnesota's economy and the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities,” said Bev Durgan, dean of the University of Minnesota Extension. “The University of Minnesota is proud to recognize these farm families for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.”
Along with Farmfest, University units sponsoring the recognition event include the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Farmfest runs Aug. 6-8 at the Gilfillan Estate, near Redwood Falls, Minn. Event hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the gate and those 17 and under are admitted free. More information on Farmfest is available at https://www.ideaggroup.com/farmfest
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