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DULUTH — The Northland may be getting its first pizza farm.
Fairhaven Farmers John and Emily Beaton are looking to expand their Saginaw-based operation producing organic veggies, herbs, fruits and a community-supported agriculture program — to also offer on-the-farm wood-fired pizza nights.
The concept means pairing their produce with Minnesota-grown and -produced flour, local cheeses and meats for fresh pies to be enjoyed on the farm during limited hours on select days.
It’s a way to add value to their crops, create a gathering space and business for our local economy and for folks to make a direct connection to their food.
“People can literally walk through the field where the ingredients come from,” John Beaton said.
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The Beatons already have the oven, so they’re launching a four-week Kickstarter campaign to build the rest.
They aim to raise $33,000 to construct a commercial kitchen, a building to house it, a gathering space and more for their pizza farm. They’re hosting a crowdfunding kickoff from 3-8 p.m. Friday at Bent Paddle Brewing Co., 1832 W Michigan St., in Duluth.
“It’s a big project, but we hope to start selling pizzas and doing pizza nights in August and September,” Beaton said.
In the past 20 years, about 10 farms outside the Twin Cities and dozens across the state and the Wisconsin-Iowa border have built wood-fired ovens and expanded into a sometimes-eatery — such as Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm in Waseca, Minnesota, and A to Z Produce and Bakery in Stockholm, Wisconsin.
Pizza farming is a continuation of the food cycle, said Todd Juzwiak, from seed to plant to vegetables to ingredients to a delicious and nutritious pizza.
Juzwiak operates Dreamacres Farm, an off-grid, organic pizza-and-more farmstead in Wykoff, Minnesota. He has been mentoring the Beatons on this next move, which could be quite a transition.
“It means expanding your skill set from a farmer to include cook, baker and restaurateur.
“It is a lofty goal for a couple of farmers outstanding in their field, but I'm sure Emily and John are up for the challenge and reward of creating a well-earned meal.
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“I'm looking forward to tasting the results,” Juzwiak added.
Pizza farming has spread to Indiana, Connecticut, Missouri and California. Pizza’s often the only menu item, but the toppings change with the farm’s yield.
Some farms also raise pigs for meat and cattle for cheese, but the Beatons plan to work with regional food producers.
And while the pandemic caused a decline in business for some pizza farms, more saw a boost due to its outdoor, socially distanced setup and its experiential allure, according to the New York Times.
“Many restaurants have needed to pivot during the pandemic to create an outdoor space. We are starting from that point, so we expect it to be successful. You’ve got 20 acres to walk around instead of a patio,” John Beaton said.
Drawing on existing models, pizza farms are not like restaurants in the hours of availability.
Beaton anticipates Fairhaven will host from 4-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with likely a preorder component.
Beaton envisions the commercial kitchen building will also act as a wash and pack area to process more fresh veg for their farm. He also wants to allocate space to a store in which to sell other local farmers’ products. “So, when you come to the pizza farm, you become aware of the entire regional farming community,” he said.
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The pizza farm will add a few jobs. The Beatons are anticipating hiring their first employee, a production manager and a farm apprentice. They envision pizza nights will be a mix of themselves, volunteers, employees and almost-seasonal kitchen workers.
“It is a marker of where our agricultural economy is,” said Beaton.
“The fact that now our community supports local food enough where it can support this idea shows that our farming economy is actually growing and expanding, and the number of food producers that we have is expanding.
“We really have a lot to share and a lot to show.”
If you go
- What: Fairhaven Pizza Farm crowdfunding kickoff
- When: 3-8 p.m. Friday
- Where: Bent Paddle, 1832 W Michigan St., Duluth
- More info:
fairhaven.farm,
kickstarter.com/projects/fairhaven-farm/wood-fired-pizza-at-the-farm
