Our Story
Established 1986
Prairie Hollow Farm came into being in 1986 on a beautiful farm near Dover, MN that had belonged to Pam's maternal grandparents since 1946. Hermann, her grandfather, had instituted many conservation practices that restored natural prairie in the valley and on the slopes. Fields were transformed into contour strips for cropland, and a strict rotation that included many strips of hay.
After 1986, the farm was converted to organic dairy production, but a large garden was also maintained to feed the family. In 1998, the garden was expanded and the first CSA shares were sold. In 2000, a cheese plant was built to add value to the organic milk. In 2005, the entire operation was moved to Pam's parent's farm near Elgin, and the process of converting the land to organic, grass-based production was begun.
In 2008, Isaiah re-established the vegetable production and added a season extending greenhouse. Since then we have added three more greenhouses which are used for year-round growing, and planted an extensive orchard with apples, cherries, plums, pears and lots of berries. Grass-fed beef and pastured pork are also part of our holistic farm plan. The farm is operated by Pam Benike and her sons, Isaiah and Jonathan, and her daughter, Bethany, with plenty of assistance from the grandchildren.
