Couple Trades in Teaching for Farming

Two Minnesota growers’ journey into farming began more than 32 years ago in the Dominican Republic.

Charlie and Carol Johnson were teaching at a school in that country when a group of Texas A&M University students arrived to educate local residents on how to farm.

“The students convinced us to start a small farm when we returned to the United States,” Charlie said.

And the Johnsons did just that. Now they grow pumpkins, apples, raspberries squash, ornamental corn, gourds and fall mums on 65 acres in Hastings, Minn.

Charlie said the farm’s u-pick pumpkins are its largest crop and biggest draw. The Johnsons’ produce is sold at their farm market, the St. Paul’s Farmers’ Market and to a local grocery store.

Charlie said about 500 visitors stop at the farm on an average busy day. He said 75 percent of those visitors are repeat customers.

“We’re located near a fairly populated area and a lot of our customers are locals who keep coming back,” he said.

Charlie said the farm also attracts a lot of tourists who are visiting the St. Croix River Valley.

“It’s a very scenic area, especially in the fall,” he said.

In October, the Johnsons hold the St. Croix River Valley Annual Apple Festival with three other local growers. The festival includes entertainment, face painting, pumpkin carving and animals.

Charlie and Carol run the farm with the help their sons, Chad and Neil, and a few part-time employees. Charlie said although his sons have their own careers right now, he hopes they’ll take over the farm when he retires.

“We hope to keep it going,” he said,

For more information on Whistling Well Farm, visit www.whistlingwellfarm.com.