Full Breakdown
Regenerative Agriculture at Minnesota’s A-frame Farm: Soil Health, Climate Resilience, and Industry Partnerships
6/19/2026, 1:40:57 AM
Regenerative Farming at A-frame Farm
The Peterson family operates a 500-acre A-frame Farm in West Central Minnesota. Their operation combines certified organic grain production with grass-fed beef, employing regenerative practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. The farm avoids tillage, uses cover crops, rotates a diverse set of crops, and integrates livestock for composting. Deep-rooted species such as kernza, alfalfa, sunflower, and perennial pasture are central to their system.
Historical and Environmental Context
Regenerative agriculture has emerged as a response to a conventional food system that emphasizes rapid, high-volume output. Extreme weather—intense rain, drought, and unpredictable seasonal patterns—has heightened the need for farming methods that can retain water, prevent erosion, and maintain productivity under climate stress. The Petersons’ approach reflects a broader shift toward practices that rebuild soil organic matter and mitigate climate change.
Key Figures and Groups
- Luke Peterson – Lead farmer and advocate for regenerative methods on the family farm.
- Peterson Family – Co-owners who manage crop production and cattle operations.
- Katlin Smith – Chief Executive Officer of Simple Mills, a natural-food company sourcing sunflower seeds from the farm.
- Simple Mills – Food manufacturer that uses the farm’s sunflower seeds for crackers and other products, and actively supports regenerative agriculture partnerships.
Farming Practices and Data
- Land Size: 500 acres of mixed grain and pasture.
- Core Crops: Kernza (a perennial grain), alfalfa, sunflower, and other deep-rooted plants.
- Livestock Integration: Grass-fed cattle provide on-farm compost, enhancing nutrient cycling.
- Soil Management: No-till planting, continuous cover cropping, and multi-year crop rotations.
- Climate Benefits: Deep roots capture atmospheric CO2 and improve water infiltration, reducing runoff during heavy rains.
Implications for Climate and Food Resilience
Healthier soils increase water retention, lessening the impact of droughts and severe rain events on yields. By diversifying crops and maintaining soil structure, the farm can shift planting schedules in response to catastrophic weather, thereby sustaining production. The partnership with Simple Mills extends these benefits to the food-processing sector, promoting a supply chain that values regenerative outcomes and offers consumers products derived from environmentally responsible agriculture.
Official Statements and Responses
Luke Peterson emphasizes that regenerative practices enable the farm to adapt quickly to weather extremes, maintain nutrient-rich soils, and contribute to climate mitigation through carbon-sequestering crops. Katlin Smith notes Simple Mills’ commitment to sourcing directly from farms that share this vision, highlighting the collaborative visits that allow the company to observe regenerative progress firsthand and reinforce mutual responsibility for a healthier food system.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To be able to grow a product that is nutrient dense, that people can feed their families with, brings me a lot of joy.” — Luke Peterson, Farmer
- “There is, you know, kind of a harsh reality that we live in a system that just wants as much as possible as fast as possible.” — Luke Peterson
- “That's because it can absorb and retain more water, keeping the soil in place during heavy rains.” — Luke Peterson
- “And one of the big things that we are passionate about is advancing regenerative agriculture and advancing this transition to regenerative agriculture.” — Katlin Smith, CEO, Simple Mills
- “To see our team, to see some of the members of our community connect with farmers in the way that their food has grown, that's how it was meant to be.” — Katlin Smith
What’s Next
Simple Mills plans to continue annual visits to A-frame Farm, monitor crop performance, and explore additional regenerative ingredients. The Petersons aim to expand their diverse rotations and share best-practice insights with other regional growers, reinforcing a collaborative pathway toward resilient, climate-smart agriculture.
