Our Story

Jeff had a dream of getting away from city life and taking up farming. In 1999, the Fossland family moved to Milaca, making that dream a reality. With little experience about raising animals and crops, the family rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Starting out with just one cow and a tractor, Jeff worked the land and grew the farm. There have been many challenges over the past 25 years, but, with a supportive and helpful family, Jeff has become a successful steward of the land. Among his successes is his pride in the quality of cow, pig, chicken, and turkey stock he raises.

Over the past several decades, Jeff has implemented sustainable practices and increased his conservation efforts. In 2009, he worked with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS provides farmers with financial and technical assistance to improve conservation through their many different programs.

At the end of 2012, Jeff was one of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District's area finalists for the Outstanding Conservationist Award Program. This award recognizes people for their accomplishments in implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota's natural resources. 

His notable conversation efforts on the farm include:

  • Installing a rotational grazing system. This means that only a portion of the pasture is grazed at a time so the pastures stay healthy.

  • Installing water and sediment basins along with wetland buffers to stop water and sediment from flowing into other water bodies.

  • Creating a pollinator habitat to enhance pollinator population.

  • Working to control buckthorn, an invasive tree species that threatens biodiversity.

With all of his conservation work, he is improving the quality of his land and surrounding natural resources. In this time, he has also more than doubled the number of animals he raises. The land and the animals are important to him. It’s safe to say he loves his duties as a farmer.

Fossland Farm is also a member of Minnesota Grown, helping at their booth every year at the Minnesota State Fair. Minnesota Grown is part of the Department of Agriculture, providing people with a directory of farmers markets, products, CSAs, and certified organic farms.