Celebrating 25 Years of FARRMS!
Growing Roots & Cultivating Futures
This year marks FARRMS' 25th anniversary – 25 years of dedicated work in growing roots and cultivating futures for North Dakota's local food producers. For a quarter of a century, we've been at the forefront of empowering local farmers to build sustainable and profitable businesses, fostering a vibrant community of food producers, and working towards a resilient local food future for our state. Get ready to join us throughout the year as we look back at our history, honor the incredible community that has shaped us, celebrate our shared successes, and reaffirm our dedication to supporting farmers and strengthening our local food system for years to come.
See all that FARRMS has accomplished in 25 years
Farm Beginnings Empowers Local Farmers
Meet Adam & Apryl Mawby, Gardendwellers Farm & Ranch
Farm Beginnings empowers aspiring and experienced farmers with vital skills for thriving agricultural enterprises. Adam and Apryl Mawby of Gardendwellers Farm and Ranch exemplify this impact. They began their farming journey together in 2020 when they landed in Souris, ND.
For Adam, who took the course in 2019, it was a pivotal experience that propelled his agricultural aspirations into a tangible career. As he explains, the program equipped him with the essential skills to transition from a "hobby farm to an agricultural enterprise," providing him with "a brand and a profitable reason behind doing what I was doing." Farm Beginnings empowered Adam to make informed decisions and strategically invest in ventures that would yield sustainable returns.
Apryl, a more experienced farmer when she enrolled in the 2022 cohort, found the course equally invaluable. While she possessed practical farming knowledge, Farm Beginnings filled the gaps in her business knowledge. It offered her a "broader perspective on how things should run," effectively teaching her "the ropes of running a business." This comprehensive understanding has been instrumental in shaping the operational success of Gardendwellers Farm and Ranch.
Adam and Apryl's dedication to their land and community is evident in the diverse offerings. They proudly provide their community with pastured lamb, chicken, pork, culinary herbs, natural herbal skin care products, and more. Being good stewards of the land forms the foundation of Gardendwellers Farm and Ranch, where they integrate their livestock, poultry, and gardening methods to actively improve the land's health and vitality. You can find their products at Minot Farmers Market, on their website, and social media.
25 Years of Impact: Sustainable Agriculture Internship
The Story of Exit 44 Flowers and More
Alyssa's journey began in 2020 as a FARRMS’ Sustainable Agriculture Intern at Family Roots Farm. She credits her internship with equipping her with essential skills in farm management, time organization, and market dynamics. She discovered a true passion for connecting directly with customers, solidifying her ambition to become a market vendor.
"When one becomes a FARRMS intern they are completely enveloped in all aspects of the farm," Alyssa says. “One of my favorite parts of being an intern was learning what it takes to prepare, set up, sell, and tear down for markets and events. There is a lot of planning that takes place behind the scenes, from the aesthetic of the booth to pricing of the items. That experience prepared me for when I started my farm and was ready to go to markets and events all by myself."
Alyssa's dream became a reality in 2021. She began offering specialty cut flowers at the Red River Market, quickly establishing herself as a valued vendor. "Bringing the joy of locally grown blooms to the community is such a dream and I wouldn’t have it any other way," Alyssa shares.
Today, Exit 44 Flowers and More operates on three acres 20 minutes south of Fargo. Alyssa offers a diverse array of options, including fresh and dried flowers, a CSA subscription, a you-pick flower experience, wedding packages, and flower field photoshoots. You can find her flowers at the Red River Market, on-farm at her Flower Shed, and on her website.
Celebrating 25 Years of Growing Farmers
Help Us Cultivate the Next Quarter Century!
2025 marks FARRMS’ 25th anniversary. It also is a year of great uncertainty around federal funding for sustainable agriculture. Over the past 25 years FARRMS has grown hundreds of new sustainable farmers and built a tremendous community of support. We need your help to sustain this growth and continue this community for at least 25 years more.
To mark our 25th Anniversary, we've set an ambitious goal: to raise $25,000 in gifts from individual donors. This will help us continue and expand vital programs like our farmer mentorship program.
Together, we are a community that champions sustainable agriculture, envisions more farmers on the land practicing sustainable methods, and is willing to work collaboratively for a brighter future in North Dakota. Please consider making a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 anniversary goal and empower the next generation of North Dakota farmers.
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Choose any amount & frequency to give. To donate by check, please mail to FARRMS, PO Box 2024, Minot, ND 58702.
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