Ferndale Market

John Peterson (pictured with friend) is the third generation of Petersons raising turkeys at Ferndale Market. His grandparents, Fern and Dale Peterson, started the farm in the Cannon Falls area in the 1930s. They are not certified organic, but the birds aren’t treated with antibiotics or growth hormones; they have access to the outdoors. “We exceed what an organic farm is required to do,” John says. “This is how turkeys used to be grown. We haven’t changed. The world of poultry production changed around us.”

The farm has about 140 acres, though not all of that is in production. They produce about 40,000 birds a year. John is quick to add that that number is a small fraction of the 45 million birds that Minnesota alone produces in a year. There are very few producers in the country that are free range.

The birds are raised on a diet of corn and soybean feed that Ferndale orders from a local mill. The grain includes some probiotics, but no growth promoters or anti-biotics. The birds also forage the open acreage around their barns. Ferndale’s biggest challenge with climate change has been the heat. Turkeys don’t like the high heat and humidity that is now more common in Minnesota’ summers. Ferndale waters the birds and the open fields are studded with shade oaks and small huts for the birds to find shelter from the sun.

Like many businesses during this pandemic year, Ferndale has seen a roller coaster of sales. John expects to sell smaller birds this year, since people will be having smaller, more intimate gatherings at the holidays. “But they’re not going to have a ham sandwich,” he says. “When we’re back in a situation where people can gather, we’ll see bigger celebrations again.”