Husband and wife Tom Barthel and Gail Wilkinson are people who truly love the land and are so committed to preserving it for future generations. Tom grew up on a dairy farm near Otsego. Gail grew up in the Osseo area. They are down-to-earth and very welcoming folks. 

Tom and Gail are concerned about how our land is being poisoned by chemicals and work hard to utilize farming techniques that preserve the land. Tom explains in one of his blogs how he uses the mob grazing technique, which means a high number of animals for a very short time, with a goal of improving grasslands and savannas.

 

They enjoy a simpler approach to life, which I find completely refreshing. When I visited with Gail earlier today, I could hear the chickens in the background. Besides chickens, they have a variety of animals. They raise grass-fed cattle (around 100), as well as grassfed bison, along with pasture pork, rabbits, chickens and turkeys, which they sell directly to the consumer. 

 

Tom’s daughter Sarah and her husband Jordan (and children Saul and Hazel) raise lambs and sheep at neighboring 80 acre farm Sand Hill Farm, which borders the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. Sarah truly enjoys the personal relationships they have with their customers and how they appreciate the care they take their animals and the land. “Plus, we’re always doing something off the charts fun!”, Sarah added. From tapping maple trees and making syrup to rendering lard, they are always teaching their children fascinating things.

 

My sister and I recently reminisced how Tom and Gail served rabbit stew and bison a while back when we were invited to their place for supper. Who says we’re not diverse in Sherburne County? We always enjoy visiting. They make you feel so welcome.

 

Tom and Gail own the Kragero schoolhouse, which they graciously let my family use each summer to host a one-room school program through community education allowing children to see what it was like to attend a country school. The last day of the program, Tom and Gail treat folks to horse drawn wagon rides through their woods. 

 

Tom and Gail also open the one-room school on the 4th of July for a patriotic horse parade. They also read the pre-amble to the Constitution aloud and give horse and wagon rides, as well as pony rides. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

Growing up just a couple miles apart, the Barthel and Erickson families have been friends and neighbors as long as I can remember. Tom even lived in my great grandparents’ home at one point. Our families attended 4-H together as members of the Kragero Kangaroos. We rode the same school bus and became good friends. 

 

Leah was one of my best friends throughout school. Whenever she can, she visits in the summer and we get a chance to catch up. When I got married last summer, Tom’s daughter Leah and her family got in the car and drove 25 hours each way to attend my wedding. It was wonderful to have the Barthels be a part of such a special day. My family is blessed by their friendship. 

 

Tom and Gail definitely fall into the category of ‘givers’. Recently, Tom and Gail were asked to work at the Minnesota Grown Booth at the Minnesota State Fair last week and were able to share a plethora of information about positive farming methods. They are always ready and willing to share their knowledge.

 

Tom and Gail are technically considered retired, but they are hardly sitting idle. Gail retired from Great River Regional Library (Becker branch) one year ago this week. Gail still volunteers and reads to children at the library. Gail is a silent partner/co-owner of Princeton Rental with her family. Tom is still co-owner of Claris Medical in Minneapolis.

 

If you would like to purchase meat or for more information about Snake River Farm, visit them on facebook at Snake River Farm Minnesota, or email snakeriverfarmer@gmail.com