Finny's Farm

A Tiny Homestead

Today I'm talking with Peer at Finny's Farm. You can follow on Facebook as well.

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00:00
This is Mary Lewis at A Tiny Homestead, the podcast comprised entirely of conversations with homesteaders, cottage food producers, and crafters. If you're enjoying this podcast, please like, subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a comment. Thank you. Today I'm talking with Peer at Finney's Farm. Good afternoon, Peer. How are you? I'm doing well, thank you. How are you? I'm good. I'm so curious to hear the story on what you're doing because you have a lot going on there. So tell me about yourself and what you do.

00:29
Well, I yeah, I do have a lot going on. We started this project. Couple years ago I was I've always been into horticulture and and just plant biology and stuff and actually went to school for it. But about three years ago, two or three years ago, I was diagnosed with some

00:59
issues which were health related to other, you know, environmental things. So I spent a lot of time really researching just growing food, consumption of food, the things that are in the air, the soil that were contaminating, and my, to go back a ways, my

01:27
education was in sustainable food and farming, although I went off on a different career for 30 years. So about two years ago when I was diagnosed and had to change diets and change everything I did, and I kind of backed away and semi-retired, but I can't sit still. So we decided to, I'm on two and a half acres here, and we decided to

01:56
kind of start doing it ourselves, homesteading to a degree, mostly food. And kind of ended up here where I said, again, I'm a busy body, so it was like, let's try this. Let's try a co-op. Let's try garden-ready plants. Let's try a CSA. So that's kind of what brought me to where I am right now.

02:27
really trying to kickstart it and get things out there so I can help other people just localized, you know, so. Yeah, and you're in Mankato, Minnesota, right? Correct. Okay, so do you go to the farmers market in Mankato? I go to the farmers market, as a vendor, you mean? Yeah. We will be this year, so yeah, I haven't in the past, but the person I partner with,

02:57
has had experience at the farmers market and doing that kind of stuff. So I'm kind of working with somebody else on that portion. So.

03:11
Very nice. I hear great things about that farmers market. So I wish it is. Yeah, it's good. Yeah. A lot of good ones around here. You know, we're Mankato. I'm not sure where you're from and what, but Mankato is very, um, agricultural. So it kind of, it kind of brings two sides to what I'm doing because I'm surrounded by monoculture and

03:37
you know, no matter what you try and do when they're spraying pesticides, it gets in the air. And, you know, so it's there. I'm just surrounded by things. So it's kind of tricky. And we, you know, are trying to find different ways to make sure that everything that comes out of our garden is healthy and pest free and chemical free and all that. So.

04:02
I understand. I'm in Le Sueur, Minnesota, so I'm about half an hour northeast of you. Yeah, sure, sure. Yeah, my husband actually works in Mankato. Okay. Yeah, and we are surrounded by corn fields and soybean fields, so I feel your pain on the pesticides spraying. Right. Because we grow a fairly hefty garden as well. And we try really hard to use organic practices,

04:31
you have drift, you can't be organic. So exactly. And that's one of the things that I'm not going to brand label myself as, you know, because it just, it's too difficult in this area where you and I are just because of the drift and everything. But, um, but you can do what you can do. And that's what I'm trying to bring some people. Yep. Exactly. Um, so I was looking at your website, which is beautiful, by the way.

05:00
And I saw the online co-op and marketplace tab and it says, it says vendor information, and then it says project Green Haven, and then it says community garden benefits. Is project Green Haven yours or is that just an example that you put on there? Well, it is, it is something, it was basically my kind of final paper thesis.

05:30
when I was at the University of Massachusetts. And I kept it all these years. So I'm in my 50s, went to school a long time ago, but went back in like 2015 to kind of continue my education with, like I said, sustainable food and farming. That was one of my things. So I put it up there. And I don't know where I'm gonna go with it, Mary.

05:59
But I just, I spent so much time on just researching it and finding ways that people can live healthier lives and embrace the environment and be stewards of the land. And so, so to answer your question, I don't really know where I would go with it. I wish somebody would.

06:27
know, a developer would say, hey, that's a good idea. Let's take it to place. But I just kind of put it up there to see what kind of response I get. Yeah. And I didn't go to college, so I didn't have to write a thesis about anything. Thank goodness, because it seems like an awful lot of time and energy that I probably wouldn't have wanted to put in. But I know that when people write theses, or thesai, or whatever the plural is, they really don't ever necessarily do anything

06:56
body of work. It just is a thing that you do to get your degree. And so I think it's great that you put it up because you're allowing people to learn from what you learn. Right. I appreciate that. And again, it was, you know, a lot of time spent just researching. This was really probably, I want to say 10, 12 years before we, I mean, people were conscious of what was going on.

07:25
with the food that we were taking in and stuff, but the way to live it was not really there 10 or 12 years ago. I mean, you did have some people, but it's becoming more and more just relevant around us. So yeah, I was kind of proud of that paper just because it was a long time ago and I thought I was ahead of the curve and kind of looking at that. So again, put it up there just to kind of see what kind of feedback I'd get.

07:54
And maybe someday when the time is right, I can go out and present it to somebody. So, but that's, that's kind of what project Green Haven's all about. Okay. It's actually using the wind and basically permaculture, you know, the sun, all that kind of stuff and regenerative agriculture to, you know, live together with.

08:23
you know, what we have on Earth here, you know. So, yep. Well, maybe you can turn your thesis into a book. Maybe that's a good idea. I might, I might have to look into that. You've already done half the work. You might as well go further and turn into a book and then you can actually make some money from it. Um, okay. So you guys also offer a CSA and is that just in the summer or do you offer things for the winter too? Um, we are.

08:53
So I've lived in Mankato for two years and when I was living north of the suburbs I had a small one. You know I only had about 15 people. So this is going to be new down here to us. I already have some clients but I'm hoping to get like 25. So this would be new.

09:22
going into next winter, I'm not sure what we would offer. And, but potentially it would be an off season type CSA as well. But again, trying to just bring people foods and gifts and, you know, healthy things, including, you know, soaps, honey, all that kind of thing. So it, it's just starting, Mary. So

09:49
At this point, I don't have an answer for you. We're not doing it this winter, but that might change next year. Okay. Cool. I am really excited that you're offering a CSA because we did it for two years in a row and we did not offer it this past summer because people were hesitant to lay out the money at the beginning of the season, not having a guarantee that there would be anything to show for it.

10:19
And we're really glad that we decided not to offer a CSA this summer because our gardens did not do well because of all the rain this spring. So we are right in the middle of trying to decide whether we want to offer one next year or not because we're real concerned that the weather patterns are going to be the same next spring and summer as they were this past. Very well could be. And that does, you know, I mean.

10:48
with the customer at risk and the farmer as well. But yeah, it's one of those kind of risk reward things. And I get what you're saying as far as people kind of hesitant because, oh, 400 bucks, what if there's a drought? What if there's too much rain? And I'm getting two tomatoes and an apple.

11:15
an apple, my basket each week, you know, so I'm hoping we have a better, better spring summer because this will be our first attempt at it. And like I said, I did it up north and it was real fun because you meet a lot of people that, you know, just are on the same page as you and really kind of understanding the last questions and stuff. So, so it's

11:45
through and out of semi retirement to do something that's passionate to me. I love talking to people about it. I love, you know, I don't know everything, but what I can explain to a customer about, you know, why you should do a CSA or why you might want to, um, change your garden patterns or habits and your food and stuff. So, so it'll be, it'll be interesting and hopefully we'll have success. We're not looking for a time. We're just looking for.

12:14
like 25 people to get started. So. Yeah, and it's really nice to be able to teach people about what you're doing. But the thing that we found in the two years that we did it is a lot of the people that were our subscribers to the CSA had small gardens of their own and they were growing things we weren't growing. And so they taught us some stuff about what they were growing too, which was really fun. Yeah. That's neat. And that's a kind of what

12:45
you know, the organic kind of networking can do, you know, it's really in that that's what when I decided to really kind of localize this. That's what that's exactly what I wanted, Mary was what you just described was, was people helping people educating and hey, I have a home garden and I'm growing Brussels sprouts and they're, you know, they're not

13:14
they're not popping, they're, there's, you know, so have you ever, you know, it's, it's exchanging ideas. And I think that's really cool and, and important. Yeah. We're not just growing gardens. We're growing friendships and relationships and growth is good. It doesn't matter what it is other than if it's like cancer. Cancer is terrible. We don't want cancer to grow, but, but good healthy growth is good for everybody. Right. Yep. Absolutely. Okay.

13:43
So, you said that you are in your 50s. So is this your retirement plan? Is this what you're going to do until you die? Do you love it that much? Yeah, I actually do. So, like I said, I grew up in the city's area south of the city's went up there. My parents were very, even though they were both in the medical field, they were both my mom was a

14:10
outstanding horticulturist. My dad had a huge garden and that was their hobby. And, you know, as a kid, I, you know, would grow a tomato plant or grow whatever, you know, out on the porch when I was very small. But so it was kind of in my blood. And yeah, when I chose to go to school, it really kind of stuck out. But then I kind of went into I went into a sporting career.

14:40
after that kind of stumbled into it and yeah it was something there's just always been a passion so to answer your question yeah I would like I would like it to be successful I do not you know need it to explode and cause chaos and all it all it's about is money but yes something to kind of take me through retirement so I'm just in my mid-50s but

15:09
um yeah decided to retire semi-retire when i was diagnosed with some stuff and um and so yeah this would be a long-term thing for me i absolutely love it you know i'm already ordering seeds i'm already looking i spend so much time online just reading articles and stuff so it's definitely in my blood and something that i very very much enjoy it's your life and that's amazing

15:36
My husband said to me last night, we're talking about the fact that we're going to be growing bedding plants for our community, you know, for them to buy, because we built a hard-sided greenhouse this past spring. And I said, so when do we need to have seeds planted so that people can buy them in time to put them in their gardens? And he said, the answer to that is we need to start looking at seeds now. And I said, but we don't really have any extra money, right?

16:06
now. And he said, no, he said, but you have a podcast, he said, and you have connections to people online, and you can let them know what they're what we're doing. And they can put in their orders for what they want. And they can pay for they can help out with the seed costs. And I was like, like a CSA for plants, not produce. And he said, kinda.

16:31
He said, I don't know if that's what it's called. He said, but do you think that would work? And I said, I don't know, but I will ask a couple of people and see if they're interested. So that's the next thing on the list for tomorrow morning is to get hold of a couple of my friends and be like, would you be interested in buying bedding plants for your garden? And would you be willing to kick in a couple of bucks towards seeds? And if they say yes, then I'm off to the races. There you go. Yeah. And it's, I used to buy organic seeds from

17:00
uh high mowers is it high mowers high mowing and they actually have what do they call it a seed well it's a csa for seeds and they kind of do it as well um on on their website so so the idea that you and your husband have is great and and you know it again just kind of brings back that portion of everybody's investing

17:28
you know, even though you're doing the growing, they're a part of what's going on. Get to that, you know, and I'm doing, uh, garden ready plants as far as you call them bedding, but yeah. You know, I've already got a contract through a few churches for fundraisers and stuff. So looking at what you're, you asked your husband, it's like, okay, if they want them April, when do I gotta do it? How am I going to pay for what am I? You know, so.

17:57
So it's a lot more difficult and a lot more. Um, what I would say is just. You have to sit down. It's not just a matter of planting a seed. You have to plan this out. You have to find the right stuff. You have to find tolerant stuff. You know, you're just looking at, um, for me, I look at it when I'm buying seeds is, you know, what diseases they might get, what, um, you know, they're crossed with what.

18:26
um pests all that kind of stuff so it is a full-time job you know trying to to make sure that you got the best product and when people get involved with you i think that's really neat yeah and my favorite part of spring is seedlings i love going to the nurseries and walking in there's all the herb the herb seedlings and you run your hands over them they smell so good so so what we're gonna do is we're gonna grow the uh the

18:55
the seedlings in the hard sided greenhouse. And then we have like a high tunnel style greenhouse as well. And so we're gonna put tables in the high tunnel once the seedlings are started, like they're green and coming up, we're gonna put tables in the high tunnel and people can actually just go in and look and see what they want to buy. So they'll get that experience of running their hands over the plants and being able to smell them and stuff too. So yeah, this spring should be really fun and it's not necessarily

19:24
weather dependent because we have the greenhouse. So we can grow, we can grow and not have to worry about the stuff getting flooded out or not getting enough water because we have a little bit of control because of the greenhouse. Right. And that's kind of where I'm in the situation where I had a, I got a little spot of a greenhouse, almost a new home, you know, so, you know, I have to go down there to do it.

19:53
Yeah, to be able to grow it and get it going. And it's nice to have that kind of, you know, outfit there is having the greenhouse so you can put them in there. So that's what I'm challenged with coming this spring, but I'll figure it out. Or this winter, I should say, is trying to figure out where I'm gonna put 4,000 seedlings, but you know, we'll figure it out.

20:21
Yeah, I don't know that we're going to do 4,000, but we'll probably do a thousand at least. So, but I'm just excited to be able to baby the plant babies this year instead of just throwing them to the wolves of the weather. Yeah, I understand. Yep. Perfect. Yeah. It's so fun talking to people like you because you're so into it that I feel like I can kind of geek out a little bit about plants because...

20:46
Sometimes people are like, yeah, we grow a garden, but we also raise cows and goats and rabbits and chickens. And they're excited about that part. And we don't do livestock here. So I'm like, oh, well, tell me about your goats and your rabbits and your chickens. And they talk and I listen and I'm like, that's awesome. And I don't have anything to say necessarily about goats or cows, but plants. I could talk all day. I love, love, love plants.

21:14
I agree. Yeah, as far as livestock, I'm not interested in having them, you know, but I have teamed up with a couple of people for a few things. And maybe that's something that's out there for you is so I have a a pork producer that I buy, you know, a couple of pigs from them.

21:44
and they're actually at the Schmitz right now. But you know, that option, I have a couple of neighbors that have so many chickens that they can't deal with how many eggs they have. So I buy them to sell off and stuff. So yeah, it's kind of partnering up with the things that we necessarily, you should say, not want to do but can't do. You know, I can't have cattle running around my two acres. Right.

22:13
You know, it's tough. So but it's you know, there's opportunities and but like you I at plants are my thing and that's what I'm gonna stick with because it's a it's it's kind of like I got two daughters and it's kind of like watching your your babies grow, you know, you have to nurture them, you have to take care of them, you have to be there for them, you have to talk to them, you have to teach them the right things so that they're healthy.

22:44
Absolutely. So you were saying teaming up with people and I know that you have the online co-op thing or at least your websites as you do. So how does that work? So if you're familiar, I'm guessing you're familiar with cottage foods. Yes. So what I'm looking for, this was just a random thing that my partner and I had talked about was just like how can we help

23:14
other little vendors like us, you know, kind of expose their product and get it out there. And so when we redid this website, this website was from years ago that was kind of parked when I was up north. We kicked it back up and yeah, the idea was, well, maybe we can get somebody who has a year one.

23:44
um cottage food license or I guess they're not called license but membership registration registration there you go yeah um you know and and kind of help them um kind of promote their products so and and as far as helping them are we have many different

24:15
I shouldn't say organic, but very low chemical fertilizers, worm castings and all that. So we were going to sell that and then it was like, why stop there? So, so the idea is trying to find somebody who maybe makes bread, you know, that can promote it on our Facebook and that. So it's not a moneymaker for us. It's just, again, a way to.

24:45
kind of go grassroots with this and really educate people and offer products that are healthier than run into a high V or a pub foods, something that really is meaningful for somebody to make and then somebody to eat. Well, that's kind of the idea behind that. We're just kind of starting. That's not my side of it, but that's my partner's side

25:15
kind of starting to reach out and try and get some vendors, just to, again, try and help promote their product. And it will go back to them, the sale and everything, but just kind of an environment full of good products and safe products and healthy products.

25:39
So sort of like a food broker, you know how there are insurance brokers who help you find the best insurance company for you to use? Same idea. Yeah. Yep. Awesome. Yeah. And our thought is, too, is not to exclude anybody, but we don't want to flood it. So you know, we were thinking, well, maybe if we find two or three breadmakers, the first one that...

26:08
talk to us, get in there because I don't want to have, you know, 15 bread makers out there that, you know, people again are going, well, which one do I want? Which one do I want? So, so it's trying to narrow it down so that you have two or three of the same products that they can choose from and not have to go far. But yes, it is like a broker just kind of trying to point Mary in the right direction if she wants some maple syrup.

26:36
Or some good sourdough bread. Yep. Things like that. Um, I was going to say when it comes to breads, you may be surprised because there are so many different kinds of breads. You've got gluten-free breads. Ancient grains breads. You've got just white breads. You've got like, my husband makes a fabulous honey oat bread and he makes an herb white bread and

27:04
He's tried making rye. Rye bread's kind of a pain in the butt to make. He hasn't tried it again since. But there's all these different kinds that people are very passionate about, kind of like I'm passionate about the herbs and you're passionate about the bedding plants and stuff. So you may be surprised if you find like five or six people who bake bread and they're all different. Yeah, that's true. Yep, that's a very good point. And I've never tried to make bread, so.

27:34
I don't know, but I know what you're saying. And yeah, that's that's a good point. And put that in my, my notes because yeah, there's there's many different types of breads. Yeah, and I'm not gonna lie, there's a lot of people making sourdough bread right now because of the thing during COVID, which I think is very funny. Because number one, I don't love sourdough bread.

27:59
And number two, I don't want to have to feed a sourdough starter every day. So I don't do sourdough bread, but so many people are so into it. It's just crazy. Right. Yeah. Yup. So, so, um, there are also so many people making cakes and cookies and brownies and, and sweet, that you'll probably end up with like 30 people selling all different kinds of baked goods. Right. Yeah. And, and.

28:29
I'm trying to streamline it a little bit again is not to exclude one person over the other, but yeah, just not to confuse anybody that goes to our website and says, well, there's 30 different breads, I'll just go to, you know, a grocery store where I can see it, feel it, look at it, you know, all that kind of stuff. So, so it's something, it's in a work in

28:58
make sure that we're getting what we want out to the people. And that doesn't mean that we're excluding anybody that doesn't have good products. By any means, it's just kind of better for us to kind of just not have to. Because on our side of it, Mary, is we have to, our web developer has to get the pictures up

29:28
the description and post all that and then link it back. So yeah, if he has 25 people doing the same sourdough bread, it's kind of an hot mess and kind of just too much for not making really any money off. Oh yes, absolutely. Yes, for sure. And you don't want people going to the website and being overwhelmed and being like, oh, never mind, I can trust this loaf of bread from Hy-Vee that I get every week. Right.

29:58
Yep. Yep. Understood. I get it. All right. Um, here we've been talking for almost half an hour and I try to keep these to half an hour. So thank you so much for your time today. I appreciate it. Yes, I appreciate it too. And you're in Le Sueur there, you said? Yep. Okay, well, we'll have to stay in touch. I would love to hear more about what you have going on. And, uh, you know, love to share with you how things are going.

30:28
in the future and if you don't mind I can put a little link if you have one that you can send me. I'd love to put a link to your podcast on our website and Facebook page. Absolutely and I will send you the link when this one is live. Sounds good. All right. Thank you so much, Peer. Have a great afternoon. You too. Bye.