Prairie Drifter Farms – Litchfield, Minnesota

Nick and Joan Olsen own Prairie Drifter Farms. They ‘re not just growing vegetables; they’re growing a vision for the future.

Nick and Joan have dedicated their lives to growing food and fostering a community in Litchfield, Minnesota. Their certified organic, diverse vegetable farm is the heart of a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. It provides fresh, local produce to families in Litchfield and nearby St. Cloud. Each week during the growing season, boxes of vegetables travel from Prairie Drifter Farm’s fields to local homes, which is a vital link between farmer and consumer.

Farming at Prairie Drifter is not just about growing vegetables. It’s a small business, with all its challenges and demands. For Nick and Joan, it means long hours in the fields, day in and day out, which is especially true during Minnesota’s short but intense growing season. 

“It almost feels like we have to get a year’s worth of farming into a short five months,” Nick explains. Their employees work right alongside them, all pushing hard to make the most of those precious months.

But farming isn’t just hard work. It needs careful planning and new ideas, especially for energy use. The Olsens’ farm relies on coolers, irrigation, and greenhouse fans; energy use is a big concern. They needed a cheaper way to power their farm. So, they turned to solar energy.

Their journey into solar began about seven years ago when they first received a bid for a solar system. The price was daunting. Without more money, they saw no way to make it work. 

In 2017, they found the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). It is a grant that can cover 25% of the costs to install solar. This opportunity was a game changer for the Olsens, but the process of applying for the grant was complex.

That’s when they found Solar United Neighbors and its REAP Guide, it simplified the grant application process. The REAP guide had clear, step-by-step instructions and helped Nick and Joan navigate the paperwork to secure the grant. 

“The Solar United Neighbors REAP Guide helped us with our grant paperwork,” says Nick. The grant let Prairie Drifter Farm install a bigger solar system than they thought possible. Today, the farm generates enough energy to earn a credit on their bill.

For Nick and Joan, the extra income from those energy credits is more than just a financial benefit—it’s seed money. They see it as an investment in their farm’s future. But beyond the farm, it’s an investment in their children. It’s a way to plant seeds for the next generation of leaders, innovators, and community builders. The Olsens are nurturing their land and community.