Our Story

 Peace and Michael own and work Farm, Frog Tree Farm, in Lyons Township in Wadena County, MN. They are the new American dream. 

Peace is the descendant of a white mother and a Black father. Her father still tells stories of her great-grandmother being taken by slave traders when she went to the well to get water for her family.  Peace’s grandmother was a domestic servant to a rich white medical doctor and her grandfather, a World War II veteran, was not able to get the benefits that white GI’s received because of structural racism and in turn made bootleg moonshine to support his family.  

Her mother and father were a unique combination when they decided to join a commune in northern Minnesota.  After Peace was born in 1971 her parents bought Frog Tree Farm and raised their own produce and meat. For a period of time they raised mushrooms to sell at the local market.    

In 1985 Peace’s mom graduated with a nursing degree and the family moved for her employment.  The farm became a refugee for the family and a place for reflection and nostalgia.  Ever since then, Peace has had the dream of returning and working the farm. While the family has not had livestock on the farm for many years, they have planted trees as a way to stay connected to the land. 

Michael’s mother was raised in New York City but spent her summers in upstate New York on her grandparent’s farm.  She moved to the Midwest after meeting his father upon his return from the Vietnam War.  Michael fondly remembers taking on tasks with his grandparents such as, making soap with his grandmother Agnus and pounding a water well with his grandfather Hargus.  

 When Peace and Michael met, he was active in the Peace and Social Justice movement, and together, they shared a dream of owning and living on a farm. Over time, the couple purchased the family farm from Peace’s brothers. 

Their children have fond memories of catching grasshoppers, swimming in the Crow Wing River, and planting lots of trees. 

In spring of 2021, Michael and Peace created Frog Tree Farm, LLC with the goal of fostering social justice, supporting creativity and learning about sustainable farming through this family land. They have hosted: school groups, retreats, family getaways, and two book launches focused on social justice, sustainability and LGBTQ issues. 

Currently, the farm includes one house, a bath house, three sleeping cabins, a common gathering space, a screen porch and three glamping tents.  

Our future is running the farm. It is connecting, engaging, learning, creating with folks that are in the business of ensuring that everyone is valued and has opportunities.   

They envision adding meeting spaces, further sleeping locations and much more. 

They are selling evergreen wreaths and other goods as a way to raise money for building the necessary accommodations for the farm. 

They are thrilled to be guests in the Midtown Global Market!