---

The fact that Eichten’s is Chisago County’s Farm Family of the Year is not surprising. What is surprising is that it took this long for the family to be selected.

The Eichten farm, on Hwy. 8 east of downtown Center City, is a landmark.  It has been spotlighted in national broadcasts and visited by dignitaries from far and wide.  The west coast of Africa knows the Eichtens from their participation as experts assisting remote parts of Cameroon promoting agriculture cooperatives and teaching residents of small villages how to produce cheese, among other skills.

Eichten’s is famous for its cheese products and the on-site bison herd, as 30 years ago they were pioneers for introducing buffalo as livestock to the Minnesota agricultural scene in 1987.

The philosophy of new and innovative farming continues in the family. Four years ago a community solar garden relationship was forged with Innovative Power Systems, and second generation Ed Eichten, happily  talked at farm open houses about sustainable energy.

The restaurant and marketplace retail store are visited by thousands.

And, last year the first crop of certified organic rye was grown on the farm.

The family started farming in 1955 under the of Joseph and Mary Eichten. After raising 10 children, the Eichten’s constructed a cheese plant in 1976 and made Dutch Gouda leading a wave of farming branching off into “value added” product.  There’s dozens more cheese varieties now.  

The Eichtens were honored along with the 80 other county farm families of the year, at FarmFest in Redwood Falls, early this month.  

The Eichten farm is a member of the MN Farm Bureau and MN Farmers Union.   They are involved in the Chisago County Fair Board and Chisago Lakes Area Chamber--the MN Cooks program and Midwest Sustainable Education Service.












 

---