Our 100-acre farm in Dakota County is a prime example of the resiliency that is possible when you let the land lead the way. Three years ago, we started with bare soil, no trees, and polluted waters. There was a sense of stillness in the air. It was a deserted landscape.
Now the farm is alive again. We’ve planted thousands of hazelnuts and elderberries to demonstrate the power of perennial crops in combating climate change, creating habitat, and generating real income for farmers. People share in the bounty of their garden’s harvest. The wetlands are protected, and animals are back on the land, both livestock and dozens of native wildlife.