January 22, 2026
There is a specific rhythm to life on a farm. It's a pulse that has beat through the Untiedt family for three generations. While being born into this life is a matter of chance, choosing to stay is a lifelong commitment.
Farm life isn’t for the faint of heart. Every season is a lottery played against the weather, where the stakes are high and the control is low. But for us, it’s more than a job; it’s a way of life. There is no reward quite like working the soil alongside the people you love most.
Three Generations of Stewardship
For decades, we have been the caretakers of this land. It began with Farmer Jerry’s dream and a passion for agriculture that built the foundation of our business. Today, it’s a rare and beautiful sight to see three generations working side-by-side, all driven by the same commitment to quality and a personal touch.
We wanted to introduce you to the family members and key people who keep Untiedt's Vegetable Farm going year after year, and into the future.
The Visionaries & Leaders
Farmer Jerry (The Founder): The visionary who started it all. Beyond the farm, Jerry has served on the board of Minnesota Grown and the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. When he isn't advocating for growers at the state level, you'll find him at his cabin or hunting pheasants with his dogs.
Paul (Head Grower): Growing up on a farm and beginning his career as a draftsman, Paul joined the team full-time after marrying Jerry’s oldest daughter over 25 years ago. Today, he oversees everything from greenhouse and flower production to outdoor crops. In his downtime, Paul is an avid fisherman and hunter.
Megan (Waverly Office & Sales): Jerry’s daughter joined in 2001. She manages the complex world of wholesale orders, employee relations, and the H2A program, while serving as Jerry’s "right hand." In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time with her family, watching her kids’ sporting events, reading, and traveling.
Jenna (Retail Operations, Marketing & Communications): The youngest daughter and the "public face" of the farm. With an MBA and a heart for the community, she keeps our retail side thriving while supporting staff and business functions across the farm. Outside of work, Jenna can often be found traveling near and far, attending concerts and sporting events, baking, or spending time with friends and family.
The Next Generation & Key Support
Trent (Equipment & Maintenance): Our third generation. Trent has been on the farm since he could walk. While he manages a cattle operation on the side, his primary mission is keeping the farm’s equipment running and managing the sweet corn harvest throughout the summer. There there’s something broken, Trent’s likely the one to fix it or find the person who will. When time allows, Trent tries to spend as much time in the great outdoors hunting and fishing, while also getting in time with his wife, daughter, friends, and family.
Pat Nelson (Greenhouse Management): Pat joined us in 2020 with a massive background in horticulture. After a decade of running his own family’s greenhouse, followed by managing the Minneapolis Farmers Market, he now brings his expertise to the Untiedt team. In his free time, Pat enjoys spending time with his 4 kids.
Craig Gilb (Retail Veteran): A cornerstone of our retail operation for over 30 years. As Craig prepares for retirement, he is passing his decades of wisdom down to Jenna. Even though he’s retiring, it’s likely you’ll still see him around at the stands as the retail managers have become part of his family and it’s hard to truly let go.
You can learn more about our hard-working and dedicated team here.
The Untiedt Difference: Why "Hand-Picked" Matters
In a world of machine-sorting and industrial farming, we’ve decided to keep things close to the vine. From our sweet corn to our strawberries and watermelon, every single item we sell is touched by human hands before it reaches yours.
Yes, it’s a lot of work. But it matters because of the Three Pillars of the Harvest:
- Peak Ripeness. We don’t harvest by a calendar; we harvest by sight and touch. We wait until the fruit is ready, not when the schedule says so.
- Gentle Handling. Machines are rough. By using our hands, we ensure your tomatoes and cantaloupe arrive bruise-free and full of flavor.
- A Connection to the Land. When you buy a bag of our green beans or cucumbers, you are receiving the best of what we’ve nurtured all season.
Follow Along and Visit Us This Season
While we look ahead to the future, we know Jerry will always be there to educate, support, and of course, offer his opinion on every decision we make. We invite you to taste the difference that three generations of dedication makes!
Follow along on the Untiedt farming journey this coming season by reading our emails, following us on social channels, and most importantly, visiting our retail stands once the season begins.
We can’t wait to see you in a few short months!
