First Generation Farmers Taking Root Across Minnesota
W.T. Farm is owned and operated by Wyatt and Tessa Parks, first generation farmers, dedicated to raising happy and healthy animals. Established in 2021, W.T Farms operates as a direct to consumer beef business that raises holstein steers from calf to butcher, sourcing from local dairies but is currently transitioning to a British White Parks/Angus cow calf operation. The herd is reared to enjoy a full life on year-round pasture, provided with transitional and certified organic hay Wyatt and Tessa produce themselves, and a clean environment, free of chemical inputs . Although the animals are not certified organic, Wyatt and Tessa maintain them as if they were.
Currently, Wyatt and Tessa farm at Sharing Our Roots so they can raise their animals in a regenerative farm landscape and access certified organic pasture. Sharing Our Roots provides essential infrastructure including permanent perimeter fencing, a barn for winter housing and summer hay storage, cold storage for meat, water, skidsetter, and tractor (up until they were able to buy their own tractor in 2024!). Access to these necessities help offset the expensive operational costs that diversified livestock farming demands.
In commitment to regenerative agriculture, the pasture is rotationally grazed and facilitates in-field winter bale feeding to build soil health.
“With our farm, we aim to be the best stewards of water, land and animals. Being better stewards of the resources we have is how we're going to be able to keep farming. If we want to make it to the average age of a farmer, which is in 30 years, we're going to need to be able to protect the fertility, and our topsoil, and make sure that these spaces are going to continue to be productive. Not only so that our animals have something to eat, but then so does our community.” — Tessa
You can find W.T. farm products for sale at Riverwalk Market Fair, from 9am-1pm, at Bridge Square in Northfield every Saturday (except August 1) until the end of October. Don’t miss the market sign cow puns when you visit their Riverwalk booth, they are udderly hilarious!
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Sharing Our Roots relies on community donations to fund our work restoring land and providing immigrant, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ farmers with essential support. If you are able and inspired, please join us in our work to heal our lands and prepare emerging farmers by contributing a one-time or recurring donation. Thank you!
