Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicola Peterson.
Hi Nicola, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Peterson Farms was first settled by Sever Peterson I in 1890. That very same homestead is where Sever III and his wife, Sharon, still live and where the 4th generation of Petersons comes to work daily.
The farm is a traditional grain operation where we also grow pumpkins, sweet corn, apples, squash, gourds, and hemp as well as keep bees. Sever Peterson III created the yellow and green gazebos you still see around town as a way to market his fresh produce directly to consumers; however, our family sold this business in 2015 to focus on the Fall Festival.
Sever & Sharon Peterson first had the idea of a corn maze in 1997 after hearing about the hedge mazes of Europe from one of their agricultural exchange students from England. They decided to create one of their own, which ultimately grew into the Fall Festival we put on today.
It all started with our corn maze: the second ever cut in the United States and the first—and still largest—in Minnesota. Back in 1997, many thought we were crazy to create one, but what began with a few stalks of corn has grown into an annual tradition for thousands of families around the region.
Fun fact: The first year of the corn maze saw about 5,000 attendees, with the only other “attraction” being a table where we sold cookies. Today, Sever’s Fall Festival draws about 20x as many people and hosts an ever-expanding list of attractions including corn pits, jumping pillows, petting zoos, playgrounds, live shows, zip lines, pumpkin patches, local artisans, food vendors, beer, wine and more.
Each season, we cut our corn maze by hand (without using GPS) to ensure a clear and accurate design. We also work year-round to add new activities and entertainment to the Fall Festival lineup, always with the goal of bringing more families and friends in to enjoy this beloved fall tradition.
We also began Sever’s Holiday Lights in 2019 with a drive through light display with over 1.5 million lights. We’re looking forward to its 3rd season beginning on Thanksgiving.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We’ve had many challenges, namely weather being the biggest and of course the last 18 months of operating during a pandemic.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
See family history from previous question.
Being a small family farm, we focus on quality over quantity every time — whether its in our fields or adding a new attraction at the fall festival. We’re proud of our diversification which has helped us keep our family farm in the family. Our hope is that the 5th generation and beyond will continue to enjoy all that farm life has to offer.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The biggest takeaway from the Covid-19 crisis for us was how fortunate we are to have loyal customers that make us a tradition year after year. While we had to significantly limit our attendance during the 2020 season, we still felt very supported by our customers and have seen an increase in attendance during the 2021 season.
Pricing:
- $17 admission per person ages 4+ for the fall festival
- $14 admission per person ages 4+ for military families, seniors, and groups of over 25 people
- 3 and under are free
- PCAs arriving with clients are free
- $25-$35 per vehicle for Sever’s Holiday Lights
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.seversfestivals.com
Image Credits
Hunt Adkins for business images Dominika Photography for personal photo
