December 18, 2025
It's that enchanting time of year again. The calendar pages are thinning, the air is crisp, and the scent of pine and spices fills every corner. We find ourselves in a whirlwind: picking up that one last perfect gift, kneading that final batch of festive cookies, and gathering with dear friends and family to celebrate the season.
In the midst of this beautiful chaos, it's incredibly easy to feel the squeeze of stress, the pressure to get every detail just right. But this year, let's consciously press the pause button.
Remember that if everything doesn't get done, it's going to be okay. Take a moment to simply be. Savor the twinkle of the bright lights, inhale the refreshing fragrance of the fresh-cut Christmas tree, or just sit quietly for a few minutes.
This holiday season, our greatest gift is being fully present with our family and friends as we celebrate the countless blessings, big and small, that 2025 brought our way.
A Year in Review: The Unpredictable Life of a Farmer
Here at Untiedt’s, 2025 brought not just a few curveballs, but a whole season of them. The life of a farmer is a constant dance with nature, and this year, the rhythm was decidedly unpredictable.
- Our growing season began with an unexpected and harsh blow: our first set of tomato plants arrived frozen, wiping out our early-season fruits.
- Just as we recovered, May and June delivered excessive, unyielding rainfall, making planting in the saturated fields a muddy, difficult operation.
- Then, the summer brought a new, unforeseen challenge: the lingering, hazy shadow of wildfire smoke from the Canadian blazes, affecting both sunlight quality and air health.
Every year presents a unique tapestry of trials. In farming, the only true guarantee is change, and it's a certainty we've learned not only to expect, but to strategically navigate.
These difficulties, while frustrating, are the very things that spur us to be more creative and innovative on the farm. If we had perfect growing conditions every season, what fun would that be? The challenges are often the push we need to think outside the box, forcing us to discover new, more resilient ways to operate and ensure a harvest. Having zero control over the weather is what helps us master the things we can control.
Cultivating Hope: A New Dawn for Domestic Agriculture
As we look ahead to 2026, there is a tangible sense of optimism, perhaps more so than we’ve felt in domestic agriculture over the last few years. The issue of securing a stable, dedicated workforce is the single greatest challenge facing many growers, leading to the necessary but complex Federal H-2A Agricultural Guest Worker visa program.
Recently, Jenna and Megan attended the National Council of Agricultural Employers Labor Forum in Las Vegas, an event that has become a critical barometer for the industry. 
US Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer addresses the Labor Forum
For the first time in 38 years, the H-2A program has received significant, farmer-requested modifications. This is monumental news, offering a glimmer of hope that these changes will help operations stay in business and ensure that agriculture remains a domestic and local industry.
Key modifications include:
- Application Streamlining: Reducing the cumbersome administrative burden on farms.
- Wage Rate Stabilization: Addressing the staggering 50%+ increase in labor wages over the last decade, allowing for more predictable business planning.
- Revocation of Antiquated Rules: Eliminating outdated regulations that complicated program usage.
While time will certainly tell, we are cautiously optimistic that these sensible program improvements will benefit local agriculture, helping to keep high-quality, fresh production right here in Minnesota.
A Foundation of Gratitude: Our Loyal Community and Dedicated Team
Our success story is written entirely by two incredible groups of people.
The Best Customers in the Twin Cities
There is simply no way we could do what we do without the incredibly loyal customer following at each of our retail locations. From the vibrant energy of plant season in May through the abundant cheer of pumpkin season in October, we are profoundly grateful to you, the best customers in the Twin Cities and beyond.
Thank you for placing your trust in us to deliver the highest quality, Minnesota Grown products year after year. We do not take our job lightly, and we are committed to continuing our hard work to provide you with the freshest, locally grown produce possible.
Our Dedicated Employee Base
Equally crucial is our incredible team. They are the engine of Untiedt's. We are truly grateful for the relentless hard work and the countless hours our employees pour into the farm each season.
- From the field crews who expertly plant, cultivate, and harvest the delicate produce...
- To the packing crews who meticulously prepare and box everything for markets and stores...
- To the friendly faces who staff our retail locations and interact directly with you...
Without their dedication, what we do would not be possible. They are the heart and backbone of this farm, and we extend our deepest, end-of-year thanks to every single member of the team.
Wishing you and yours a joyful, peaceful, and blessed holiday season! We look forward to seeing you when the fields awaken again in the spring of 2026.
