What it's like to farm in suburban California vs rural Minnesota with Kelley Rajala of Clear Lake Gardens

Kelley Rajala of Clear Lake Gardens in Aitken, Minnesota, shares what it was like to start a farm in California and then relocate to Minnesota in this interview with host April Parms Jones. Hear about moving the farm, and the differences between market farming in the two areas, with the new Minnesota location being much more rural than where they started out in the Santa Rosa area of California (e.g. there’s one stop light in the new county). Listeners can learn a lot from the process of finding customers in the new location, including outreach, building relationships with local markets, and introducing customers to new crops with promotions and events to get the community involved.

Kelley discusses the challenges and rewards of farming, the significance of crop diversification, and the need for resilience in the face of climate change. They also discuss the value of unusual crops like golden raspberries, the concept of food as medicine, and the joys and challenges of running a farm stand. Kelley offers strategies for how to educate customers about local produce, the benefits of being part of a farmers union, and the legacy of cooperative farming.

Connect With Guest:

Instagram: @clearlakegardens
Website: clearlakegardens.org

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