Local farming for the community
Evia Koos
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Outdoors
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The Hedquist family Green Pastures Dairy Farm is located 32 miles south of Duluth and covers 160 acres, 40 of which are open grassland for cattle grazing.
Launching into the dairy business in 1981, the Hedquist family left behind their lakefront home in search of a life that pushed them outside of their comfort zone: A farm life. "Transitioning to a dairy farm required significant effort, hours of sweat, tears and plenty of knowledge built along the way," said cheese-maker Joy Hedquist.
They started with seven milk producing cows in 1985, and after plenty of research and planning, the Hedquists made the leap to grass feeding for their cows, a shrewd decision for many reasons. To raise cattle exclusively on grass-feeding is both cost effective and beneficial to production as it causes the cows to produce more nutritious milk. Grass farming is better for the soil too because it results in less erosion and maintains the soil's essential minerals.
The profit margins for selling milk alone were not enough to make their living -at profits less than $1 per gallon- so they started to make cheese in 2001. "Cheese is the biggest money item," said Hedquist, though they still sell the raw milk in small amounts to their closest customers and around the neighborhood.
When the milk is brought in for cheese-making only 10 percent of its volume is actually consolidated into cheese. About 90 percent of it goes back out in the form of whey. And just like in the old days, the Hedquists feed their pigs with whey byproduct, because of its high nutrient content and efficient model for sustainability.
Alongside their 25 dairy cows there are 30 egg laying hens, a pair of ducks and even a watchful guard donkey on the Green Pastures Farm.
Hedquist said the farm is a highly efficient and sustainable property to which she contributes much of their success as one of only a few family run operations in Minnesota to make their living entirely from the land.
They deliver their products nationwide every week of the year even though the milk season is limited, supplying surrounding local community markets including the Duluth Farmers Market, Duluth Whole Foods Co-op and the Northern Waters Smokhaus of Duluth.
In August 2008 the Hedquists opened a retail store in one of the former barns on the property. It is open Fridays and Saturdays from May to October. Customers can enjoy a cup of coffee in the warm and rustic surroundings of a working dairy farm and cheese factory.
Joy Hedquist's nieces and nephews help the family to raise the farm not because they have to, but because they love and enjoy doing it. She hopes that they will take over cheese-making in the future, continuing the family's rich legacy.
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