Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Brand
Hi Aaron, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Brand Farms started with just 50 eggs laying hens. That number has grown to over 2000 layers today.
Shortly after the egg business expanded, the apple orchard was planted. The orchard has grown to 10 acres of trees at the Brand Farms location, and we have added another 10 acres of apples at a different off-farm location. The apples have evolved over the years starting at just a pre-picked option only to a 180-degree shift to a U-Pick apple orchard in 2019.
With the shift to U-Pick apples in 2019, also came the family activities like hayrides, apple cannons, straw mountain, bounce pads, food trucks and much more.
We welcome thousands to the farm every Fall for Fall family fun to create memories that will last a lifetime!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The largest challenges we have experienced are likely common with a growing business, staff.
We have struggled to have enough staff to full the needs of a rapidly growing business but have been lucky the last few years and have found some great staff to full the voids to help all customers have a great experience while visiting.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We specialize in cage free, free-range eggs that are available year-round at the farm as well as some off-farm locations. Our hens love being outside in nice weather!
We cannot forget our apple picking and family fall experience with hayrides, kid’s activities and adult activities as well as endless photo opportunities to take photos to remember the day. Our photo opportunities are driven around family and friends creating lasting memories with beautiful photo displays to give the picture the beautiful background.
While at the farm, customers will realize quickly they are not just at a plain ole apple orchard. They are at a real working farm with chickens, cows, ducks, and real farming happening which is hard to find with an apple orchard experience in the Fall. All customers who come out and take the hayride will get to hear the tractor driver explaining different aspects of the farm as the wagon leaves the loading area all the way out to the apple orchard and activities area elevating the guest experience.
And of course, seeing Farmer Aaron, who manages the farm and has diversified the farm from the dairy farm it used to me to the family leaning experience it has become today!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We work with many schools and groups though our school tour program, as well as providing apples to thousands of kinds in south metro schools.
Be supportive and support local businesses. If you cannot support us, find a local business to support!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brandfarmsmn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brand_farms_mn
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/brandfarmsmn
