The Pine Soil and Water Conservation district is thrilled to announce that the Pine County 2024 Outstanding Conservationist of the year is the Frechette Farms! In 2014, Jack Frechette and Julie Kraft Frechette began farming 234 acres of mostly low land in Hinckley Minnesota. Their farm has evolved with time and now they operate a diversified farm focused on heritage pork, texas long horn and angus crossed cattle, in addition to large vegetable garden. The Frechettes were nominated because of their commitment to providing the best life possible for all organisms on their land, their quality food, and support for their local community.

There is no doubt that the pigs at the Frechette Farm are living the best life possible as they forage and play in their pastures. Raising pigs on pasture is an uncommon practice because pigs usually root and turn over grasses, however their heritage breed pigs will create one sacrifice area, or wallow, and graze the rest for up to 40% of their overall diet. This disturbance reduces the pressure of reed canary, an aggressive plant species that creates a monoculture, and increases the diversity of plant species on their pastures. This both improves the quality of forage and the soil biology, creating a more sustainable system.

In addition to the care they give living things on farm, the Frechettes are extremely active in their community. In 2020 the Frechettes started Meating the Need, which is a non-profit organization aimed at making local meat affordable for local people. This developed because they noticed that 75% of their customers were from outside the county and they wanted to reach more locals. They deliver a free bundle meat cuts to families struggling to put quality food on the table in Pine County every December called Ham Santa. This year they’re working to expand their garden and build capacity to pair vegetables with the meat bundles in the future.

Jack and Julie integrate conservation and fellowship into every aspect of their lives and farm. They rotationally graze their cattle, practice no-till on their garden, plant native species, and have a proposal to restore 80 acres of wetland. They are also active in their community through the Pine Center for the Arts, the Pine County Northern Lights Lions Club, A Place For You Shelter, and Pine County Farmer’s Union. They’ve opened their farm to the public through several on farm events including a partnership with the Pine SWCD to promote conservation in agriculture called Cookout on the Farm in 2024. We are thankful for the care and commitment they show to all living things. Congratulations Frechette Farms the Pine County 2024 Outstanding Conservationists of the year!