Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Holicky.
Hi Stephanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
White Pine Acres is a first-generation family farm in Le Sueur, Minnesota, that began as a dairy farm in ’93. Since that time, our family has seen it all. Tornadoes damaged buildings and equipment in ’98 and ’99, a fire brought our dairy barn to the ground in ’00, and in ’12, low milk prices forced us to leave the dairy industry.
After selling the cows, we couldn’t stay away because farming truly is our life. We decided to take our passion in a different direction and raise beef. We started with two females and since then, the herd has grown to 70!
Because we do not have the largest scale of operations or land, we have utilized functional methods and practices to keep our herd growing. One of these methods is year-round calving. All animals in our barns are hormone free, local, and loved. We work year-round to secure the largest quantity and best quality of hay and feeds.
I started documenting our farm life on social media in the summer of 2020 as I had just graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with my Marketing degree and with COVID-19 going on, I was spending a significant amount of time at home. Being a creative person, I found taking pictures and videos as a great outlet. I didn’t expect to enjoy sharing on my pages as much as I do. It has given me a renewed respect for the hard work and vision my parents have. I am very appreciative of the many views and kind words people have shared on my pages.
Family farms have consistently been in danger of disappearance since the 1970s. There are hundreds of articles, books, shows, and even movies out there describing the same situation many farmers are facing: big dreams but not enough resources to make them tangible. Together as a family, we are working towards expanding our White Pine Acres operation. We value the support of not only our dreams but of the dreams of small farmers everywhere. I am excited to continue to share the beauty of our small Southern MN farm throughout the ever-changing years to come!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Farming as an industry is full of obstacles.
For our farm, as mentioned previously, we have experienced struggles that have brought us back to starting points multiple times. Each challenge we have faced has given us an opportunity to learn, grow stronger as a family, and re-evaluate our goals.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a Marketer by profession, I am passionate about reaching audiences in creative and tasteful ways.
In my work as a Marketing Specialist for a real estate team, I utilize my graphic design skills and digital and print marketing strategies to reach potential buyers and sellers in effective ways. I love learning and implementing new ways to elevate the brand of the Real Estate Agents I work with.
When it comes to White Pine Acres, I think what sets my pages apart is my eye for detail and sharing simple, special moments that many people do not get to see in their day-to-day lives.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I definitely do not consider myself a risk-taker, though I would say starting the White Pine Acres pages was a risk in my eyes. Growing up, I never really connected with farming as I do now.
Before starting the pages, I would have been concerned with others’ opinions about what I found fascinating or important to me. Since then, my perspective has changed. The positive feedback I have received on my pages has taught me that there are so many people out there that value farm life in similar ways as I do. This has also helped me grow in my confidence toward actively showing what I value.
In addition, this confidence has led me to be more involved on the farm, and want to grow the operation alongside my parents. This coming year will prove to be a huge change – I am looking forward to working hard on building our dreams!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://whitepineacres.business.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitepineacres/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitepineacres
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@whitepineacres
