By Michelle M. Sharp, Founder and Content Creator of Meet the Minnesota Makers
Someone you know would love to receive the gift of a smoked turkey. 
Maybe it’s you?
Ferndale Market in Cannon Falls offers shippable whole fresh frozen or smoked turkeys in addition to a variety of gift boxes packed with locally-processed meat, cheeses, and gourmet snacks. These selections are shippable nationwide.
For those who live within driving distance of Ferndale Market’s Cannon Valley on-farm store, a visit is a wonderland of locally-produced food from chocolate to marshmallows, soup mixes to jams, frozen strudel to, if you’re really lucky, turkey pot pies. Ferndale Market‘s business mission
makes it a partner of our regional food space.
Sausages, snack sticks, smoked turkey legs, turkey stock and gravy are all regularly on the shelf awaiting your kitchen projects. The selection of turkey products goes well beyond what you may be familiar with at your midwestern co-op. All told, the store carries more than 300 items from 
Minnesota plus a deluxe selection of cheese and cured meats from Iowa and Wisconsin.
Fern and Dale Peterson started raising free range turkeys in the rolling hills of the Cannon River Valley in 1939. Their turkeys have always been free range and antibiotic free. As trends in commercial turkey farming changed, Ferndale Farm didn’t. Raising and processing their turkeys in a humane fashion has been their way of doing business for more than 80 years. It helps that the sandy soil of the Cannon River Valley makes for an ideal environment for the turkeys to thrive.
The on-farm market opened in 2008, in the same building where the Petersons used to hatch the poults. Since opening their doors to the 
community, the Peterson Family has found great joy in the connections with their customers. “We really value the opportunity to have a direct connection to our customers. It’s sadly rare in agriculture today,” says Katie Peterson, Ferndale Market’s Marketing and Communications Manager.
Since opening their on-store market, the Peterson Family has been able to deepen their relationship with regional farmers and food makers. Thursdays, delivery day, is a who’s who of the local food scene. The supply chains are as short as possible.
Amanda Carlson, the store’s Retail Manager, greets everyone by name and makes adjustments to next week’s orders as the local producers tote in boxes of honey, cheese, bread, and chocolate. Amanda adds products she loves to the store’s shelves. Her smile deepens as she talks about the locally-sourced charcuterie boards and nuances of the jam offerings. “I know the stories of these makers. I see their businesses grow. We get to make things happen by carrying their product in our store, to make a difference in someone’s success, and you can see the impact right away.”
Beyond the food, the store itself is a journey through the local food scene. The story of Fern and Dale and the farm practices that make their turkey unique greets visitors at the entrance. The 
store decor include many repurposed items and historical photos from the farm, making the visitor a part of the farm’s history. “We want people to feel like they’re a part of this story. We wouldn’t be able to be an active part of the local food scene without them,” explains Amanda.
Before opening the on-farm store in 2008, Ferndale Market had sold their turkeys on the commodity market. No one knew about the value of how they raised their birds and why those practices mattered for the end product.
Three generations of Petersons have overseen the care of thousands of poults. Every summer they open the farm for tours. “It’s a fun opportunity to share our farm’s history and practices, and let visitors see our free-range turkeys up close,” explains Katie.
In 2024 more than 3000 people picked up their Thanksgiving turkeys during Turkey Fest, a six day period to meet local producers and shop locally for your feast. “It’s not really Thanksgiving until the family who comes by in turkey hats arrives,” shares Amanda. “It’s amazing to be a part of their stories, their traditions. We’re honored to have that relationship with people who love our products.”
Shop Ferndale Market on line at ferndalemarket.com Shop in store seven days a week. Make your own gift box in store or ask any of the 
Ferndale retail experts for their recommendations in building a box.
Follow @ferndalemarket on Facebook and Instagram to see what the turkeys are up to today or for announcements on new items in store and local events.
Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com or follow @meettheminnesotamakers on Facebook and Instagram to discover the farmers and innovators working to strengthen Minnesota’s local food networks. Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.
