ANDREW MILLER JOHN GESSNER T.W. BUDIG
Apple Valley mayor touts progress 2A Church finds itself in tax dispute 2A Political veterans may help redistricting 7A
dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz
DATE ##, 2009 MARCH 17, 2011
VOLUME 32, 30, NUMBER NUMBER 3 # VOLUME
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INSIDE BIZ FORUM
Hope for spring blooms eternal
JOEL WEST
Pahl’s Market blooms where it was planted in the community by Tad Johnson DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
There may still be about a foot of snow covering the ground, but at Pahl’s Market in Apple Valley hope for spring is eternal. This week, that hope switched into high gear as the greenhouses were filled with flowers and people during the 13th annual Moss Basket Days. Many families around the area have made Moss Basket Days a yearly ritual as they take time to dirty their hands by designing and planting their own baskets. It is one of the many ways that Pahl’s Market has become intertwined into the fabric of the community. In recognition of its many years of support, the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce honored Jane and Gary Pahl of Lakeville as its 2010 Business Persons of the Year in January. Jane and Gary own the operation with Gary’s brother, Brian. It’s not the first such award for the Pahls, whose contributions to the community know no boundaries. Pahl’s was named the Small Business of the Year for 2004 by the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce. Being recognized by chambers in two communities shows how wide of an impact Pahl’s Market has had in Dakota County and beyond. It has become a destination business for many people throughout the south metro as their products and ser-
vice are known for quality. Many families have made trips to Pahl’s part of annual rituals such as its spring opening, the delivery of the first sweet corn batch in July, picking out pumpkins in October and selecting a Christmas tree in December.
DiversiďŹ cation Pahl’s Market is a business that diversified and grew as demand for its products increased. While many people are familiar with Pahl’s retail operation with pansies, petunias, begonias and much more under three acres of greenhouse glass, the vegetable business is larger than one might think. The farming operation includes 1,100 acres of vegetables and supplies about 50 grocery store companies in 15 states. Pahl’s clients include such supermarket heavyweights as SuperValu/ Cub Foods, Target and Rainbow. Shoppers also can find their vegetables at Lund’s/Byerly’s, Coborn’s, Safeway and in their Chipotle burritos. Trucks with Pahl’s produce even go into Canada. When shoppers pick up a green pepper or cucumber in one of those local markets, they can look for the Minnesota Grown label. It is possible that vegetable was picked from one of the many farm plots Pahl’s owns throughout Dakota and Scott counties. Gary Pahl says working with gro-
Targeted statistical analysis can help a region’s business community develop a strategy to stimulate job growth. 4A
FORUM
“We have always been quality-conscious. Number two for us is price. We know we have to be competitive.�
The one-year anniversary of the adoption of new national healthcare legislation shows its time for change. 5A
JOHN KLINE
CAPITOL COMMERCE
- Gary Pahl MARK DAYTON
Gov. Mark Dayton says tax cuts in the Republican budget unfairly treat middle class Minnesotans. 8A
CAPITOL COMMERCE
State Rep. Kurt Bills authors a bill that would channel $4 million in funding to the Minnesota Zoo. 9A
KURT BILLS
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See Pahl’s, Page 40A General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Advertising 952-846-2011