about us & our projects
Kate and Ron Paul (2024)
by Appletree Photography
A little history of big dreams...
Kate's great-grandfather, John Mobraten, came from Norway in 1893 with a dream to seek out a new life in new territory, where he could lay claim to land of his own. Settling in the little community of Forbes, Minnesota, his original homestead is directly across the road from Owl Forest Farm's location today.
At that time, people were arriving on the newly constructed Railroad to work in logging camps, in the first underground iron ore mines on the Mesabi Iron Range, and to farm.
And new chapters...
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Kate spent her childhood in the community, one mile from the farm's current location. She has fond memories of berry picking and cross country skiing on the ground that now holds Owl Forest Farm. Her grandpa tended to his cattle in this same spot; old battered fence posts are still scattered throughout the property as monuments.
Ron grew up not far away, in Mt. Iron, and spent his childhood in the woods on his own family's land, spurring his love of the outdoors, hunting, and tending to the land. Owl Forest Farm holds five acres of gorgeous perennial and annual flowers. We take special pride in our farm and the landscape on which it lays. We value the beauty of nature and strive to live in harmony with the land. We love to share this beauty with all of our visitors. We currently work jobs off the farm and spend all our other time working on this labor of love. The entire family pitches in when they can and we are grateful for that. We are working to make this little flower farm a REALLY BIG THING... and the smiles on all of your beautiful faces among the flowers is a great reward. |
Ron and Kate Paul, with dad Rich, and sons Leevi and Noah (2021)
Ron and Kate Paul, mom Donna, and son Noah (2017)
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owl Forest FArm You-pick flower video
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This video was filmed at the end of the 2022 season. Thank you to the Rutabaga Project and their series on agricultural diversification and marketing on the Iron Range. |
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Watch Owl Forest Farm on an episode of Making It Up North!
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This episode came out in 2019, when we were growing mostly produce for the CSA market. We were growing flowers at that time too, but not near as many as we have now. It's been fun to watch the farm transform over the years. Working jobs off the farm has fueled much of the transformation, but the farm work remains demanding. It's a good watch to see all the wonders that pop out of the ground. |
Our projects and activities
Peony project
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In 2018, Owl Forest Farm received a 3-year AGRI Sustainable Demonstration Grant through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to do research on herbaceous peonies. The goal was to grow and evaluate multiple varieties of peonies for cut flower production in our cool Zone 3 in northeastern Minnesota. We identified varieties that produced the most blooms per plant and also identified varieities that would extend the late season potential. In warmer zones in the U.S., peonies bloom mainly in May and June, but here, in northeastern Minnesota, they have the potential to bloom later. This could provide an extended commercial season for the national and international cut flower markets. There is potential to kick-start a new commercial peony enterprise in northern Minnesota that would support small farms in the region.
In the fall of 2018, we transplanted over 1,300 peony bare roots into the ground at Owl Forest Farm. Data collection and statistical analysis commenced during the 2020 growing season. The final report is available in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture 2021 Greenbook, pages 62-71, and a fun summary is presented in our VIDEO. Peonies are available for UPick in mid-June into July, which includes a self-guided walking tour around the farm. |
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Rose trials
We were recently awarded a 3-year AGRI Sustainable Demonstration Grant through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to do research on ROSES! We are really excited about this new project. We will be trialing 37 different varieties of cold-hardy roses for cut flower production. These roses went into the ground in May 2024 and data collection on blooms will occur during the 2026 season. We will have updates with photos as we progress!
NATIVE WILDFLOWER PATCHES
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We are always working to make the farm and surrounding land a better place for wildlife. We want to see as much biological diversity as possible on the farm, so we have planted several large areas with native wildflowers and grasses in order to promote beneficial habitat for pollinators like native bees and butterflies.
The other benefit to these wildflower patches, once they are mature, is additional opportunity for customers to take beautiful and unique photos on the farm. Also, it is a simple joy to walk among the flowers and enjoy the fluttering wonders that abound. |
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IRON RANGE GROWN on FACEBOOK
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Iron Range Grown is a Facebook Group we formed to help connect consumers to farmers and producers on the Iron Range and surrounding areas in northeastern Minnesota. The mission of this group is to promote agricultural economic development as well as healthy food access on the Iron Range by connecting residents, agricultural producers, farmers markets, retailers & restaurateurs, and other businesses and groups that play a supporting role in local agricultural endeavors. We all play a vital role in helping local farms and producers thrive so that they can continue to offer high quality, healthy products on the Iron Range. Anyone can join the group, and we encourage consumers and farmers/producers alike to use it as a resource to buy and sell local agricultural products. Visit the group on Facebook. |
Kate and Ron Paul (2024)
by Appletree Photography
This is good work we do... you, me, and the ground.
With rain in my boots and sunshine on my back,
We will grow our minds, bodies, and spirits
Upon this fertile ground
That has no acquaintance with lack.
~Kate Paul, Owl Forest Farm
