Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Zimmer.
Michelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We have had chickens for personal use for about five years now, and after the first year, I found that there weren’t great options for feed and supplies in the area, and so I went on a hunt to find high quality products for my flock.
I discovered that local feed mill products lacked the fillers that some big-box brands included and honest to God, I could taste the difference in my eggs from feeding them “the good stuff”!
So I would trek to Anoka monthly which would take a couple hours round-trip, just to get the local feed, and I was willing to do that, until one day I got a phone call and my world came crashing down when I found out that my husband was in an accident.
He was hit by a car while helping an older lady who had spun out on the highway, which became a hit and run. This was literally a couple days before Christmas and I had to hold it together and keep the spirit alive because I didn’t want the news to affect our children, when I didn’t know what the outcome would be… We didn’t know if he would ever walk again and I couldn’t let the fear of the unknown affect them until we were able to get some answers. Christmas of 2022 was, to say the least, very different for us.
While I was at the hospital day and night, family came to help with the kids and chores so that I could focus on my husband. During that time, we learned just how large our ‘village’ of warriors was, with meals being dropped off, and neighbors taking care of all of our snow removal, etc. – but one thing that was interesting is that whenever a neighbor would drop off chicken feed from a big box store, I could immediately taste the difference in my eggs!
**And that’s when I envisioned a store nearby that created convenience for people who want high quality feed and supplies in the area, no matter if they simply had a busy lifestyle, or were in a situation similar to ours. I wanted to make backyard farming easier for everyone, for miles around**
We were blessed with Go Fund Me donations due to my husband’s accident. And aside from being able to pay for our bills, I was able to use some of those funds to springboard my vision, and thus Bloomington Farm & Feed was born!
Fast forward and we are coming up on our one-year anniversary of our official launch this month actually! We started with just a few types of feed and have now expanded to over 130 items in our online store!
How it works is, customers who live within a 20 mile radius of Bloomington go to our website (similar to Chewy or Amazon, but faster!) and then receive their order of local goodness, the very next day. All of our food is from MN mills. Most of our bedding PLUS supplies are even MN made, which we pride ourselves on – because when you support us, you also support our local farmers and supply manufacturers (Like Miller Manufacturing)! This became a fast motto that we are your BFF for all things, Farm & Feed and I absolutely love what we have created, which is so fulfilling to be able help serve and improve people’s quality of life, one backyard farm at a time!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While my husband was recovering, it was tough to trust my gut about making this business happen. We didn’t know if or when he would return to work, so I had to step up and be the primary income earner for our family. Most people might have opted for a “safe” job just to pay the bills, but I poured my heart into this venture. There were times when we stressed about income, and had to count every penny, but we made it through all of that and came out better and stronger as a result.
Our kids help with deliveries, while learning about money, commerce, social skills and hard work. But the best part is that we get to do it all as a family unit. Balancing all of this while also being a mom, a homeschool teacher, a business owner, a caretaker for our elderly grandma, a churchgoer, a volunteer, and a dog foster has certainly presented its challenges! However, we’ve managed to overcome each one because when your passion is so strong, nothing can hold you back. This is one of those cases.
To clarify, my husband is still recovering, but we are so very thankful that he can walk again. He suffered a fractured spine and had an extensive surgery to get all of the bone fragments taken out. He was partially paralyzed and had to wear a large brace while the rods in his back established themselves, all while learning how to walk again, but after 1.5 years we are so incredibly proud of his amazing recovery so far.
We’ve been impressed with Bloomington Farm & Feed, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Urban farming is underrated, and we LOVE helping our customers with their flocks through all stages of life. Whether you need assistance setting up a cage for baby chicks, have questions about feed and garden-friendly chicken care, need a vet to help with your fluffy friends, or simply need a referral for a flock sitter while you go out of town, we are here for you!
We have even taken calls from animal control and successfully found new homes for lost and found chickens. It’s all about creating a community and uniting people because we are stronger together—and that includes urban farming!
We also pride ourselves on offering Minnesota-grown, non-GMO options for your backyard flock, whether it’s for chickens, ducks, game birds, or rabbits. Even our cat and dog food is Minnesota-made and top-notch! Plus, we deliver baby chicks from a local breeder right to your front door once they hatch. We truly love what we do!
Our next goal is to find a storefront that matches our needs while continuing to expand our customer base. This growth will help support the overhead and demands of a brick-and-mortar store. So please help us spread the word!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My chickens make us incredibly happy! They are the best stress relievers. Each one has its own cute personality, and they’re the only pets that give you something back—besides emotional happiness, of course, and that’s eggs!
We’ve trained them to come when called, and they even love to do tricks for treats. Did you know that chickens love to snuggle? It’s true! When you raise chicks from just a day old, you can socialize with them, and as they grow, they become comfortable being picked up. You can really see how happy they are to see you, which is such a rewarding feeling – which everyone should experience!
That being said, my family is what truly makes me the happiest. We love doing everything together—whether it’s going on camping trips, catching a movie, or spending the day at the beach after reeling in our daily limit of fish. Those moments together create lasting memories and fill my heart with joy.
Pricing:
- Our pricing is very comparable to local prices!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bloomingtonfarmandfeed.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomington_farm_and_feed_mn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BloomingtonFarmAndFeed
Image Credits
Professional image credits: Crystal Hedberg Photography
