Why I Started Farm Direct Minnesota
In early 2020, something was deeply wrong.
I saw farmers dumping milk, plowing under crops, and throwing away perfectly good food—not because they wanted to, but because the supply chain had collapsed.
At the same time, grocery store shelves were empty, and families were desperate for food.
I remember a farmer in Idaho dumping tons of potatoes into a field and posting on Facebook, saying, "Come take them." People showed up in droves—he got rid of them all.
I saw Wisconsin dairy farmers—like the ones I grew up around—pouring milk down the drain while people struggled to find essentials.
I couldn’t just sit back and watch.
A Simple Idea That Changed Everything
I knew there had to be a better way.
People wanted to buy directly from farmers, but they didn’t know how to find them.
Farmers wanted to sell directly to customers, but they lacked a central platform to connect with them.
So, on May 5, 2020, I created Farm Direct Minnesota—a simple Facebook group to connect the two.
I had no idea how fast it would grow.
From a Facebook Group to a Movement
What started as a small, local effort has exploded into a statewide community of over 94,000 members—and we’re still growing by 2,000+ new members each month.
- 700+ farms, ranches, and small food businesses now use Farm Direct Minnesota.
- Thousands of families have found farm-fresh food in their own communities.
- We’re proving that local food systems work—and that people want direct access to fresh, local products.
Why I Keep Pushing Forward
On our 2nd anniversary, May 5, 2022, I knew this needed to become something bigger—something sustainable.
To keep this platform running, I had to monetize—but not in a corporate way. Instead, for just $50 a year, farmers get direct access to customers, powerful marketing tools, and automatic visibility in front of our massive community.
Compare that to traditional marketing costs, and it’s clear: this is a no-brainer investment.
I also hope to transition Farm Direct Minnesota into a nonprofit soon—because this isn’t just a business. It’s a mission.
I grew up around farming. My parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles were farmers. I know what it means to work the land, raise animals, and feed a community.
I also know what it means to struggle to make ends meet in agriculture.
That’s why I won’t stop. This works. And I’ll keep working to make sure it keeps working for you.
The Future of Farm Direct Minnesota
I never imagined this little Facebook group would become Minnesota’s #1 direct-to-consumer farm connection—outpacing directories that have been around for 30+ years.
But here we are.
And we’re just getting started.
None of this would be possible without the support of my husband, Oskar Granquist, of Granquist & Associates, LLC, who works in infrastructure and economic development. His belief in this mission has helped me keep pushing forward.
If you’re a farmer, rancher, or small food producer, join us. If you’re a consumer looking for farm-fresh food, this is your place.
Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected, and more sustainable food system—one direct connection at a time.
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"Farm Direct Minnesota restores my faith in humanity." – Sazzy Calhoun
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