Driving on Upper Afton Road in what is now the suburb of Woodbury is a hold over to the days when all food was local food. Jordan Ranch is about as local as local food can get in the East Metro. The family still runs a thriving business that is a presence at most area Farmer’s Markets. They also run a market in season on site. They are surrounded by upscale suburan homes but have been able to keep their business grounded in a country ethic.

In addition to providing food for local communities they also provide supplies to farmers from all over the state. People come from miles around to purchase from Jordan Seeds, a side business of Jordan Ranch. We had to pick up some plastic mulch for our tomatoes, peppers, melons and squash, some remay (row cover) for greens, t-tape for drip irrigation, harvesting baskets and our CSA boxes just to give you an idea of what they carry in addition to the plethora of seeds.

As Proeun was waiting to load our supplies the kids and I explored the grounds. Here is the old barn complete with large black farm dog that was very friendly.

Here are the great horses I grew up with. My grandmother lives in a neighborhood bordering Jordan Ranch and in the summer we would come visit and go to the park. From the park we could see the pasture. There were more horses then. Now there are only 2 left and no one seems to be able to remember their names.

We brought carrots and apples to share with them. We were told they probably wouldn’t be around but never underestimate the power of a carrot. We had to go back later in the day since Mavis left Avril’s favorite toy horse on the counter and brought back more food for the horses. They saw us coming and came running over right away. The children were so happy to know they had made a couple friends.

Two was so quick with the feeding I couldn’t get a picture of the contact but oh well. Avril was happy to pet the horses but allowed Two to do all the feeding.

The sheep were a different story. They enjoyed tufts of long grass we pulled up.

Proeun tells me to stay away from politics but I do have to say there was one sour note to the day. The pastures are now gone, replaced by this charter school, a bi-product of imminent domain. In neighboring St. Paul we will have no less the 4 schools vacant do to budget cuts. Woodbury is having its own issues. With farm land close to the city at such a premium it is very upsetting to me that it would be taken to build a school. Once taken it can never be returned. Not that schools aren’t important but maybe we should try to fill the ones we have. 40 acres were taken for the school site. Sometimes I can’t help but feel down at that fate of farms close to the city. As we look for ours we have to take into account the proximity of cities that are definitely “sprawling.” We will have to “transition” for several years with Proeun commuting to work. Trying to find an affordable farm close to the city that won’t be taken away in a few years is not so easy. Well hopefully Jordan Ranch will be around for years to come.