Leading with Heart and Heritage

I’m Stephanie Blumhagen, FARRMS Executive Director. I grew up on a family farm in central North Dakota. We were crunchy before it was cool. Mom grew extensive gardens and milled flour from the wheat my dad grew. My aunt and uncle raised grass-fed beef and certified organic crops and we were part of a holistic living group with several other organic farming families.

After college I moved out west, launched my nonprofit career, and finished graduate school, but I missed the sweeping prairie sunsets and I wanted a deeper connection to the family farm. In fall 2013 I moved home. I sought out local food connections and discovered the FARRMS Farm Beginnings course. Shortly after I was hired as Grantwriter for Dakota College at Bottineau where I wrote grants for the Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture.

Farm Beginnings helped me think more clearly about my potential role in the family farm. I created Meadowlark Granary, using grain from our farm to produce freshly milled flour, and wholegrain breads for sale at farmers markets. I became enmeshed in ND’s local food movement, attended the ND Local Food Conference, and joined the board of the ND Farmers Market and Growers Association.  I found a family in the local food community and made friendships that continue today. I was, and still am inspired and energized by the creativity and passion of our local growers.

In fall 2017, FARRMS had an opening for an Executive Director, and I was hired. I drew on my grantwriting background to secure new funding, but my first year brought unexpected challenges. Nine months into the role I was diagnosed with leukemia. I continued to work part-time through treatment and recovery, and in fall 2019, fully in remission, I returned full-time.

I’ve grown FARRMS using the same principles of sustainability and holistic resource management that we teach in Farm Beginnings. We are collaborative and support each other, keeping focused on our mission to empower farmers. I’m proud of the team I’ve built and the community we’ve nurtured. My work at FARRMS is truly fulfilling and I’m honored to grow the local food community that welcomed me home.