Minnehaha Funeral Home

Marco and Laura Patzer at work in the greenhouse. Photo by Tami Carda Photography.

David’s parents – second generation Robert and Esther (better known as Toots) Picasso – were the drivers of the growth of the old Cherry Rock Gardens in its heyday in Sioux Falls. “My grandma was a big part of that,” Marco said. “Grandpa did all the day-to-day farming, but she was the brains of the operation.” Eventually, they outgrew the Sioux Falls space and bought the farm near Brandon. They moved most of the growing to the farm and started trucking the vegetables into town beginning in 1968. Retail sales stayed in Sioux Falls until 1985 when Robert and Toots retired and sold the property to the city which had desperately wanted the land for many years. Marco’s grandparents moved to the farm and his dad took over production and operations.

FAMILY TRADITIONS AND BUSINESS EXPANSION

Laura and Marco and their children have carried on the family tradition of focusing first on vegetable production – tomatoes, sweet corn, onion, peppers, melons, carrots, beets and more. For several weeks in the “shoulder seasons” (right before the retail shop opens in July and after retail closes in October), they utilize the CSA model (community supported agriculture) wherein shareholders receive a box of fresh produce weekly. They’ve expanded the scope of the business by welcoming food products such as beef, lamb, eggs, honey, lettuce, mushrooms and microgreens from other local growers. They’re also partnering with locally-owned, small-scale food processors who provide salsa, salad mixes, jams and jellies, gourmet popcorn, coffee and kombucha. Cherry Rock Farms is also doubling its pumpkin production from 4.5 acres to almost 10 acres in 2022.

Part of the game plan in selling products from other producers and processors is to be a daily farmers market local consumers can take advantage of during the July to October time frame. According to Laura, “Customers love to be able to come to one location and get everything in one stop. Our market is open six days a week, so they don’t have to be in a huge rush to make it to farmers market hours or go just to a farmers market on Saturday mornings.”

Respectfully serving families for generations.

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