A “farm-to-family” business

The following interview was conducted by the Grygla Eagle with Jennifer Sundberg of Phoenix Family Farms, located in rural Grygla. Matt & Jennifer Sundberg have started a new business venture selling pasture-raised meats and poultry, and it’s truly a “farm-to-family” way of life. Matt and Jennifer have two children, Clayton (age 6) and Maple (age 4), both of which are already great farmhands. Enjoy the interview below and take notice of the Phoenix Family Farms ad on page two. 

Name of your family business? Phoenix Family Farms 

What is your family    business? We sell pasture-raised meats and poultry. 

What are your current occupations in addition to Phoenix Family Farms? Matt is in his 9th year as the Industrial Technology (shop) teacher at Marshall County Central High School in Newfolden. I had been the FACS teacher in Newfolden for the past 5 years but decided to resign this year to be able to focus more on the homestead, business, and home life. 

A little background info to share with our readers: Matt and I have been married for 7 years. Matt has lived in Grygla his whole life with the exception of a few years spent in Moorhead and Bemidji for school and work. I grew up on the Iron Range and then spent some time going to school and working in different parts of the world, including India, Uganda, Thailand, and Fiji. I came back to Bemidji to work at the Bemidji Middle School. Matt was working as the Technology teacher there at the time, which is how we met. 

Is this new venture a side business/full-time gig, or hobby? Phoenix Family Farms has slowly evolved into what it is today, which is pretty much a full-time gig. Matt is also working as a teacher and still does a few carpentry jobs here in there. 

What got you interested in this? Matt has been farming beef cattle with his family most of his life. From a young age, his parents instilled in him a great understanding and appreciation for the hard work that goes into raising animals and tending a large garden. As a married couple, we always wanted to raise meat animals for our own use. Not only do we see the value of raising and growing our own food, but we also see how this type of lifestyle bonds us as a family. Everyone, including the kids, have a role to play in keeping the farm running. There is a great sense of satisfaction to be able to sit down to a meal that has been fully produced by our own hands. We love being a part of the whole process. Two years ago, we decided to purchase three Mangalitsa gilt piglets and a Mangalitsa boar. This breed fascinated us because they are so unique! They are known for their exceptional meat quality (dark red and marbled), their ability to forage, and their wooly coat! We wanted a breed that worked well with our landscape and would be well suited to root around on rotating pastures. The fact that Mangalitsas are an old-world, heritage breed was another plus for us. This breed grows slower and is also considered a “lard” pig. For this reason, we have elected to omit corn and soy from their diet so that the end product isn’t too fatty. Although we originally wanted these pigs to help work the land and feed our own family, we quickly became passionate about making the farm part of a business that would make us more self-reliant. Since that time, we’ve also added a small herd of Katahdin (hair) sheep and heritage breed Red Broiler chickens. This process has been so rewarding as a family. No matter how successful our business is, we feel that anything that brings our family closer together, is worth it. We’re so grateful to be on this path and cannot thank God enough for being our steadfast guide. As JRR Tolkien writes, “Deep roots are not reached by the frost” - and deep roots are exactly what we are trying to put down with our way of running our farm and raising our family. 

What do you raise on your farm? We raise pigs, sheep, chicken (for eggs and meat), and cows. 

Do you have any animals as pets? We have two Great Pyrenees dogs (Lady and Finn) who are great livestock guardians. We also have a black lab named Otis, two barn cats, a few ducks, and a huge (and a bit ornery) African goose who the kids lovingly call Hector the Protector. 

What animals are raised for meat? Pork, lamb, chicken, and beef. 

What makes Phoenix Family Farms so unique? There has never been a better time to support small, local businesses. We are 100% family owned and run. Knowing the faces and names of the folks raising your food and knowing where your food comes from, is invaluable. Not only do our customers have the satisfaction of buying locally raised food, but they also have the peace of mind knowing that our animals are raised well and in a way that is sustainable. Since we are a small, local farm providing products that are heritage-breed and pasture-raised, we feel we are providing something unique and truly special. When customers purchase meat from us, the kitchen table in which their lovely slow-roasted pork roast sits is at the end of a very short chain. Our animals are born and carefully raised all in one place, and our goal is to work directly with the people who want to put quality, pasture-raised meat on their table. This is why we say we are a “farm-to-family” business! We are always open to providing farm tours (or just a visit!) for anyone who’d like to see more. 

How did you come up with the name of your   business? Phoenix Family Farms, for us, is symbolic on a number of levels. The Phoenix is a mythical bird known for rising from the ashes and facing a newness of life. We have taken a huge leap of faith on a journey we truly believe in. We may make mistakes along the way (talk about on-the-job learning!), but with our whole beings we are striving toward what is good and real and whole. We want every aspect of our life and business to reflect that. The Phoenix is truly a magnificent, radiant, and fierce creature, and our little family farm is trying to blaze its way through in order to be and provide something truly wonderful.

Meat bundles/sampler boxes: Phoenix Family Farms now has local pasture-raised meat bundle and sampler boxes available that are perfect for the holidays. See page two for the Phoenix Family Farms ad that lists product and pricing. Signature or custom boxes are available. Meat products are processed at USDA Inspected Heart O’ Lakes Quality Meats in Pelican Rapids, MN. Poultry products are processed on-farm with MDA poultry processing registration. 

Meat Bundles and Sampler boxes are subject to change based on availability. If an item is sold out, it will be replaced by a comparable item(s). Weights of items listed are approximate. Boxes will be available for local delivery or on-farm pick-up. Orders can be placed online, by phone, or in-person. 

Contact: Matt & Jennifer Sundberg: 218-766-9582 or 218-294-6095; Website: phoenixfamilyfarms.com; Social Media: @phoenixfamilyfarms