Ferndale Market

Type: Farm

Produces: Turkey

Location: Cannon Falls, MN

Miles from Coop: 208

petersons_ferndale-market.jpg

Traditional Methods: 75 Years of Raising Free-Range Turkeys

Fern and Dale started their farm in 1939, selecting the land for its perfect turkey raising qualities: sandy soil, in a river valley abutting Little Cannon River, which provides excellent drainage for healthy outdoor animal-raising conditions: “I gain more appreciation for it every year,” John gives a nod to his grandparents.

“My grandfather was a bit of a visionary for his time, a pioneer in wanting to grow turkeys for a living. Before that, everyone would just grow a few backyard turkeys for themselves.”

While the farm was initially on-trend by specializing (amid the great transition in agriculture from self-sufficiency family farming to specialization and commodity farming), they bucked the trend when animal-raising turned to confinements: “We were the holdouts after everyone else had quit raising them outside.”

Free-range, naturally:

“This is the only way my grandfather would have known how to raise turkeys – and everyone used to,” John notes.

The old fashioned methods have come back into vogue in the post-Omnivore’s Dilemma era, when people once again want to know where their food comes from. While Ferndale’s free-range turkeys are “perceived as being niche or specialty market,” John points out, “it makes me chuckle because, really, we’ve changed very little.”

ferndale-free-range-turkeys.jpg

Two Words: Rotational Grazing

It’s music to a conscientious omnivore’s ears:

“We keep [the turkeys] rotating onto fresh pasture. It’s a true free-range program, outdoors from early spring.”

Managing their two fifteen- and twenty-acre turkey ranges is labor intensive, but “We take pride in managing the land well, and we never have to use pesticides or herbicides. When you do it right, it’s a closed-loop, with the turkeys fertilizing the grass,” – not to mention eating the bugs (all of which makes the turkey taste good).

Also unlike conventional turkeys, Ferndale has a no antibiotics nor growth promotants policy: “There’s the most pride for us in not using treatment antibiotics, as it’s a testament that we’re doing it right.”

ferndale-thanksgiving-turkey.jpg
 
      Roasted Ferndale Turkeys (featured above)  are included in New Pi's Holiday Meal package.

 

The Turkey Tip to Rule them All (from the turkey farmer):

You’ll have a tasty turkey with any cooking method if you buy a good turkey and don’t overcook it.

THE RULE: It’s done when it hits 165°F (taken with a meat thermometer).

Let it rest 15 minutes for the juices to stabilize, and you should have a good bird.


Other Local Producers

Be sure to check out these others great local producers!

Marieke Gouda Cheese

Marieke Gouda Cheese

"By providing a loving and relaxing environment for our cows we are able to get remarkably consistent full-flavored raw milk."

Thorp, WI

Milton Creamery

Milton Creamery

The Musser family – Rufus, Jane, and sons Junior and head cheesemaker Galen – make artisanal cheese the old fashioned way, and source their added growth hormone-free milk from less than 30 miles away.

Milton, IA

Oasis Street Food

Oasis Street Food

When owners Naftaly and Ofer were unable to find the Mediterranean food they craved and grew up with, they decided to use their own family recipes to bring authentic falafel and hummus to Iowa City.

Iowa City, IA

Thousand Hills Cattle Co.

Thousand Hills Cattle Co.

Thousand Hills sources beef from small Midwestern independent family farms that must meet the most stringent requirements around.

Cannon Falls, MN

Wilson's Orchard

Wilson's Orchard

They have a robust pick-your-own apple business at the farm, where they also make apple cider, apple turnovers, and apple cider donuts, and they grow pumpkins. What more could you ask for?

Iowa City, IA

Trumpet Blossom Cafe

Trumpet Blossom Cafe

When it comes to creating their entirely plant-based menu, Katy Meyer sources local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible.

Iowa City, IA

Frontier Co-op

Frontier Co-op

Founded in 1976, Iowa based Frontier Co-op is a leader in branded organic and natural herbs, spices, and essential oils. As a co-operative owned by wholesale customers that buy and sell its products, Frontier sources hundreds of different botanicals and oils from over 175 suppliers in 50 countries.

Norway, IA

Hue Hill

Hue Hill

Hue Hill crafts farm grown vegetables into vibrant, live cultured, powerfully probiotic fermented foods.

Iowa City, IA