A Place to Live and Work
Paul and Ramona Garver’s farm lies on the South Dakota border, three miles from Hendricks, Minnesota. After years of leasing a ranch in Montana, the Garvers decided they wanted to own the land on which they live and work. In 1996, Paul and Ramona purchased the 80 acres of land that 
makes up the fields and pastures of Circle G Farm.
Prior to their purchase of the farm, the land was used to produce corn and soybeans and had been farmed with heavy chemical usage. “Many small pieces of land were out of production,” according to Ramona. “Spots were so compacted, it was like working up concrete,” which entailed hours of weeding by hand. By grazing and rotating crops to build humus and organic matter in the soil, the Garvers have seen vast improvements in their black, heavy dirt.
A Gentle Approach
Ramona and Paul have a strong commitment to caring for their animals. “We love them all,” Paul declares. “Our animals are gentle. We can walk among them and pet them.” The Garvers specifically select animals with quiet demeanors because they are easier to handle. Their animals are grass fed, drug free, and are raised outside.
“Our farm is unique for this area,” Ramona explains, “because we are diversified.” The Garvers raise:
* grains,
* hogs,
* cows,
* chickens,
* turkeys,
* sheep and
* goats.
Many of their neighbors raise only hogs, cows or grains. Paul adds, “We enjoy raising products that we can sell directly to customers who appreciate them.” The Garvers direct market their products and have customers in their local community and as far away as southern Missouri. “Conventional farmers are price takers,” says Paul, “We set out prices and decided what it costs for our products and labor.”
The Next Step
The Garvers’ latest experiment will be chemical free potatoes, which they are starting with just a few acres. They are also thinking of starting a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), perhaps getting established this fall to begin next summer.
Paul and Ramona are members of the Midwest Food Alliance, which they use as a marketing tool to increase farm viability, and to emphasize their commitment to social and environmental responsibility.