A cheerful looking male Asian American farmer smiles as he holds a bunch of bright red beets.

GROWING FARMERS, GROWING FOOD

Big River Farms

We provide land and resources for farmers to learn sustainable practices, grow organic foods, and build strong businesses.

Big River Farms

GROWING FARMERS, GROWING FOOD

About the farm

Big River Farms is an incubator farm near Marine on St. Croix, MN. Farmers have access to land, farm resources, and education to build their businesses, learn, and grow sustainable, organic foods.

Farmer Education

  • Grower Training Program: The Big River Farms Grower Training Program is a year-long certificate program that trains participants to cultivate crops for organic production, develop the basics for launching a farming business, and improve crop production.
  • Incubator Program: The Incubator Program offers growers an opportunity to access land (independent plot), resources, and transition their farm business to the next phase.

Emerging Farmers Conference

The Food Group and Big River Farms host an annual conference for for new and emerging growers and producers. The conference is for farmers, by farmers, and led by farmers. The goal is to empower emerging farmers with knowledge, resources, and connection.

Agrivoltaics

The Food Group is currently piloting agrivoltaics work in Big Lake, MN in collaboration with US Solar for annual vegetable production viability as well as in Ramsey, MN in collaboration with Connexus Energy for perennial production viability. We’re excited to be part of this national movement and a leader in Minnesota exploring farming and production on solar fields, which has the potential to support both emerging farmers and local food production.

We Value Nutritious Food
Working with our community partners, The Food Group buys, gleans, grows, and processes fresh produce.

Food Bank
or Food Shelf?
The Food Group is a food bank that supplies other hunger relief agencies with fresh produce, frozen meat, grocery staples, and other household necessities. Food shelves distribute free food to individuals and families in their local communities.

The Food Group believes in food equity. They believe in culturally specific foods. They believe in meeting people where they are at. And most of all, they believe in dignity.

The Food Group volunteer and donor

Did You Know?
Over 20% of Black households and 19% of Latinx households report food insecurity, compared to 10% of white households.

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The Food Group

We’re a nonprofit working at the intersection of equity and access to fresh, sustainable foods. From farming to distribution, we provide fresh food across MN and WI.

The Food Group is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. EIN 41-1246504 Contributions are tax-deductible to the full amount provided by the law.

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CRC Meets Standards

The Food Group Office & Warehouse

Big River Farms

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