Gary Pahl is a fifth generation farmer. Pahl Farms originally began in Bloomington, a second tier suburb of the Twin Cities. But due to increasing urban pressures, the farm has relocated to the flat, sandy loam of third tier suburb Apple Valley and surrounding areas. Gary has always worked in the family business and he hopes his children will also consider farming. Gary says, "I farm because I enjoy it. It's a good way to make a living - I have never starved a day in my life."
An important attribute of the farm is its location, which allows Gary to access a large urban market. Having a large market within a few miles of the farm is great for a vegetable farmer, providing a means of distribution without the middleman. "Every producer needs a population base, and this area provides it," Gary says. Food Alliance Midwest, of which Gary is a certified member, also helps him access new markets for his produce. As a Food Alliance certified farmer, Gary employs numerous sustainable practices on the farm. Gary practices integrated pest management; he also often seeds rye once he has harvested early season crops in order to minimize soil erosion. He says, "Being good stewards is an obligation we as growers have to pay back for our bountiful harvests."
