Open for business

It's a rare occasion when small communities like Sheyenne get a new local business, and even more uncommon is a new addition to Main Street.

Yet that's exactly what the community of Sheyenne has with Prairie Gates Farmstand, a new local option for fresh produce and local artisanal wares.

Anyone driving through Sheyenne on Hwy. 281 will notice the new farmstand adjacent to the local senior center. On offer there are seasonal fresh produce options such as lettuce, zucchini, cucumbers and several herbs, just to name a few.

There are also artisanal wares such as soaps provided by Misty Cronin and crocheted items from Nicole Chenze, as well as bundles of local firewood.

The farmstand is owned by Joanna Larson, a native of Sheyenne and a local farmer with a passion for local food access.

Most of the produce on offer at her stand was grown on her own farm, called Prairie Gates, and whatever isn't was still grown or created by local farmers.

Larson said her community has been looking for ways to retain local access to fresh produce since their grocery store left town many years ago. In fact, Larson was among those who helped bring the Sheyenne community garden and farmers market to life around 15 years ago, shortly after the grocery store's departure.

"So the farmstand in my mind just continues to build on that local food access, because I know that a Saturday morning farmers market for only two hours isn't convenient for everybody," said Larson. "And then what do you do during the week when you need something."

The Prairie Gates Farmstand is open 24/7, she said, giving local residents an option for fresh produce whenever its most convenient.

Of course, Larson won't be at the store all the time, so it'll operate via the honor system. There's a price list inside and shoppers can simply leave behind whatever they need to pay.

Larson said she's already seen tons of community involvement and participation since their "soft launch" of the Prairie Gates Farmstand on July 3, and now she's looking forward to the grand opening during the Sheyenne Sidewalk Market on Saturday, Aug. 10.

"It's been really positive!" said Larson about the community's reaction so far. "There's been a lot of comments like 'oh wow it's so cute!' and 'what a great idea!' and that sort of thing, so I think people are happy about it," said Larson. "For me this is sort of a trial run to see if this is something that can be viable, and so far it's going very well."

At the Sheyenne Sidewalk Market on Saturday, Larson said there'll be door prizes and giveaways for anyone who checks out the new farmstand.

Anyone interested in keeping up to date with everything going on with the farmstand is encouraged to follow the Prairie Gates Facebook and/or Instagram page. Anyone with questions is welcome to give Larson a call at (701) 381-9123.

Be sure to stop by Sheyenne sometime soon to support their new local business, which Larson hopes will continue to grow and ultimately offer more food options for residents in and around Sheyenne.