Harris family finds success with farm cart
The Harris family all contribute to The Farm Cart. From left to right are Arianna, Autumn, Alaina, Aaron, Jacob and Kelcey. Staff photo by Jonny Clubb
What began as an abundance of squash has turned into a growing family business.
According to Aaron and Kelcey Harris of Owatonna, their family had more squash than they knew what to do with back in 2021, so they filled the bucket of their utility tractor, parked it near the road and the squash started selling.
The next year, the Harris family expanded to sell more fresh produce and canned goods out of their side-by-side. Kelcey said that the business operated out of the side-by-side for about two years until the fall of 2023 when they decided to do something new.
Aaron then found an old “rail-side baggage cart,” which he spent a couple of weekends converting into a more permanent stand. Now, The Farm Cart offers fresh, locally produced items to its patrons.
The Farm Cart sells a mix of fresh produce, baked goods, canned goods, sauces, plushies, and more. Each of Aaron and Kelcey’s children - Arianna, Alaina, Autumn, and Jacob - make their own unique contribution to The Farm Cart based on their passion.
Arianna, who Kelcey described as “my glittery girly girl,” makes crochet plushies, headbands, soaps and more.
Meanwhile, Alaina focuses on the fresh produce that makes its way to the stand.
“She loves to be in the garden,” Kelcey said. Alaina also spends time packing pickles that are sold on the cart.
Baked goods on The Farm Cart are available thanks in large part to Autumn, who bakes cupcakes, cookies, and a variety of breads.
Finally, Jacob is the family’s “sauce man.” Kelcey said, “At the age of two, it was not hot enough for him. Then we came up with Big Jake’s Hot Sauce.” The Farm Cart sells a number of barbecue sauces and sweet chilis made by Big Jake.
“Each kid has a little bit of a touch to it, and then when you bring it all together you have The Farm Cart,” Kelcey said.
Even though each family member has their own unique way of contributing, they all pitch in to make the business work.
“It is a big family event,” Kelcey said. “There are days where it’s like ‘alright you guys, we have green beans to pick, everybody take a row.’ Then everybody will hop in and take a row.”
Working on The Farm Cart also offers lessons in hard work and responsibility for the Harris kids.
“They learn so much from it,” Kelcey said. “They learn how much work goes into doing all of this (and) that there’s work behind the money. Yeah, you want those brand-new shoes, but remember all the work you had to put in to…get those brand-new shoes.”
The Farm Cart is located near Medford at the intersection of NW 76th Street & NW 32nd Avenue and is generally open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday depending on the weather. Exact hours are posted on The Farm Cart Facebook page.