Today we’d like to introduce you to Noreen Thomas
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I married into farming in 1987 and quickly realized that agriculture wasn’t just about growing food—it was about soil health, water quality, and building a resilient community. Our farm, located in northwest Minnesota near Moorhead (what I call the “Deep North”), became certified organic, and over time, we expanded into niche specialty grain crops and organic hay.
My background in food and nutrition, chemistry, and microbiology helped shape our farming philosophy. We’ve always focused on sustainability, which led us to become part of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. But beyond farming, I found a passion for mentorship—helping beginning farmers, particularly women, navigate their way into agriculture. Over the years, I’ve worked with various organizations, including the Artisan Grain Collaboration and the Michael Fields Advisory Board, to support new farmers. Through Renewing the Countryside, I’ve connected over 180 farmers to USDA programs, helping them access vital resources.
I’ve also worked with Indigenous communities, such as the White Earth Tribe, to grow and reintroduce rare and traditional seeds into modern cuisine. My focus has always been on strengthening local food systems while ensuring clean water, air, and soil for future generations.
This journey has been recognized with several awards, but what keeps me going is the next generation of farmers—especially the young women returning to their family farms with a commitment to sustainability. They are quietly transforming agriculture, and I see my role as supporting their transition and amplifying their impact.
That’s the heart of my story—farming with intention, building connections, and helping shape a more resilient food future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
t definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Farming is unpredictable by nature—weather, markets, and policy changes can shift everything overnight. But beyond that, there have been deeper struggles.
Early on, as someone who married into farming, I had to earn my place and prove that I wasn’t just a farm wife—I was a farmer. That meant learning everything from soil science to machinery repair while also balancing a young family and off-farm jobs to make ends meet. Organic farming, in particular, was an uphill battle at first. When we transitioned, there wasn’t the same level of support or market demand that exists today. We had to build those networks ourselves, often facing skepticism from conventional farmers and buyers.
Weather has been another major challenge. Farming in the “Deep North” means dealing with extreme conditions—droughts, floods, early frosts, and unpredictable seasons. One year, we had a complete crop failure, and I remember looking out at the fields, wondering how we’d recover. But resilience is part of farming. We learned to adapt, diversify, and build soil health to better withstand these challenges.
Advocating for beginning and underserved farmers has also been met with roadblocks. Whether it’s helping farmers access USDA programs or fighting for policy changes, bureaucracy can be slow and frustrating. But when I see a beginning farmer finally secure funding or a young woman take over her family farm with confidence, I know the fight is worth it.
Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. Every struggle has shaped our farm, our philosophy, and our community. The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Marketing, able to adapt quickly. Out of the box thinking. Dreamy with a sense of ability to provide niche products!!
Stubborn beyond measure.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Adaptability. Grit. Resilience. Farming is full of uncertainties—weather, markets, pests, equipment breakdowns—but resilience allows me to adapt and keep going no matter what challenges arise. It’s not just about bouncing back; it’s about learning, innovating, and finding new ways to thrive.
Beyond resilience, I’d say curiosity has been key. I’ve never stopped asking questions—about soil health, sustainable practices, or how to create better systems for beginning farmers. That curiosity led me to organic farming, rare seed preservation, and supporting young women returning to their family farms.
And finally, community. I’ve never believed in farming alone. Whether it’s working with Indigenous communities on rare seeds, mentoring new farmers, or collaborating on sustainable grain initiatives, success in agriculture comes from strong relationships and a shared vision for the future.
“be the mentor you wish you would of wish you had” Noreen
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doubtingthomasfarms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doubting_thomas_farms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doubthingthomas/
