The Farm on St. Mathias
Seriously Local Food

• The Farm Store is now open Thursday - Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.
• We are taking reservations for canning tomatoes and green beans. Please call 218-822-3281.
• The Farmer's Market Wine Dinner, a six course meal with garden ingredients and paired with wine, will be Friday, August 27th. Please call Prairie Bay at 218-824-6444 for reservations. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to have an authentically produced farm meal, on the farm, prepared by the culinary staff at Prairie Bay.

The Farm on St. Mathias is an 80 acre farm located three miles south of Brainerd, MN on St. Mathias Road (County Road 21). The Farm has 17 acres dedicated to fruits and vegetables with 10 fenced acres for vegetable, herb, and apple production, and 7 open acres planted in rotations for melon, squash, corn, pumpkins and fingerling potatoes. A 6+ acre corn maze lies just beyond an open green space used for gatherings, performances and celebrations. We host numerous school groups, daycare gatherings, social organizations and more. Contact us at 888-404-5009 to book your event.

Meet Your Farmers:

The farm is owned and operated by Bob and Arlene Jones.  Bob Jones has Bachelor Degrees in Chemistry and Biology and a Doctorate in Medicine, practicing both clinical psychiatry and hospital administration. Arlene Jones is currently pursuing a farm business management certification and is working with the Staples staff at Central Lakes College.  Arlene has recently been elected to Chair the Sustainable Farming Association of MN Central Chapter for 2010.  She is also a part-time systems and process analyst for health care agencies.   Bob and Arlene Jones are both Certified and active Master Gardeners with the University of Minnesota, Exension Service Crow Wing County. 
The Farm partners with Kevin Happke of Pierz.  Kevin Happke owns and operates Rolling Hills Greenhouse, is a Master Gardener, landscaper and has over 27 years of propagation, growing and retail experience in vegetables, annuals and perennials, native and ornamental shrubs and trees.   We rely on Kevin for his extensive plant and irrigation knowledge, creative ideas and substantial network of other like-minded sustainable farmers.  For all of your plant needs, call Kevin at 320-468-6474. 
Our family consists of our six children:

Joshua is active military, currently residing Colorado with his wife Valerie and two children, Eli and Austin. He will deploy for his third tour in August 2010, supporting the 4th Infantry Division in Afghanistan.

Emily is pursuing a massage therapy certification and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.
Amanda is pursuing a Master’s Degree in English at St. Cloud State University and lives in St. Cloud with her husband Scott, also in the military out of Camp Ripley and who is preparing for his second deployment sometime early next year. 

Jocelyn is pursuing a degree in Dance, resides in Seattle, Washington, attending the University of Washington. 

Alexandra is pursuing a degree in cello performance, resides in Manhattan and is attending New York University.

Justin is currently a senior at Pequot Lakes and will graduate in May.  We are hoping he will pursue an education related to sustainable farming. 

Arlene’s parents, Randy and Jeri, return to Minnesota early spring every year and help maintain normalcy in our household while we work the farm!!  They also are an immeasurable resource and asset at the farm.  Arlene’s sister, Maureen, also returns to Minnesota each season and without her assistance, knowledge and can-do attitude (she’s even learned to drive most of the tractors), things would not run as smoothly. She is also a huge resource in the delivery of the CSA shares. 
We operate the farm with the assistance of very valuable friends and volunteers.  Among them, Marcia and Tom Stevens, who dropped into our lives unexpected and have proven to be one of life’s treasures; Matt and Brenda Cooper, and their children, Sarah and Hannah, neighbors who take care of neighbors, (and isn’t that we all should strive for?); and our contractors, The Miller Bros., whose art and dedication to building is evident.  Come see for yourselves. 

We cannot forget our Gordon Setters:  Nutmeg and Corriander, the greatest dogs alive; two llamas, our own chickens and a host of farm cats.