In less than a year, the renovated Oliver Kelley farm near Elk River will open, showcasing its $10.5 million expansion and ready to educate consumers of all ages about Minnesota food production dating from the 1860s and through today.

And to think this historical jewel came close to shutting its barn’s doors.

The view from the Highway 10 entrance to the Oliver Kelley farm continues to evolve with construction. Plans call for this 10-acre field to be planted in current crops so visitors will be able to explore modern Minnesota agriculture.

In 2003, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed, and the legislature approved, an $8 million cut in state funding to the Minnesota Historical Society, forcing the closure of seven state historical sites, including the Oliver Kelley Farm. Kelley is credited with being one of the founders of the National Grange, the first agricultural organization in the United States. After funding cuts were announced, some local residents were concerned about the loss of history and education, and formed the volunteer group, Friends of the Kelley Farm, to raise money to preserve and support the farm’s operation. They saw the value and uniqueness of the site. Visitors could step back in time and experience 1860s farm life throughout the seasons through a variety of hands-on activities—plowing with a team of horses, feeding livestock, harvesting garden produce and field crops, stripping sorghum, baking cookies in a wood stove, hand-stitching a quilt on a large wooden frame.

With the latest in technology and more space, the new Oliver Kelley visitor center will allow farm programming to reach into classrooms statewide. As visitors exit the south side, they step onto historical cropland and visit Kelley's house and barn.

More than a decade ago, farm staff realized that its mission to educate about food production needed an update. Visitors appreciated the quaintness of 19th century agriculture, yet they wanted to know more about modern farming and where the food on their table came from. Discussions among various Kelley staff, state Ag in the Classroom staff, farmers and the state historical society over the last several years evolved into a push for revitalization. Efforts zeroed in on what to tell and how to tell it, while relying on actual farming practices and science to explain the state’s ag diversity.

By 2014, funds were made available when Gov. Mark Dayton signed a capital budget/bonding bill that included the multi-million dollar request for Oliver Kelley. Renovations, which will allow the farm to serve its 30,000-plus visitors per year and then some, include five new buildings:

- a larger visitor center, complete with classrooms, a teaching kitchen, a community room, exhibits, a retail area and staff support space. Video conferencing and internet access will be available here, too, so the farm’s programs can reach schools throughout the state.

- a guest animal shelter for visiting animals from program partners where visitors can interact with and learn more about today’s farm animals. A maintenance building and a maintenance barn are located nearby.

Al Withers. Minnesota Ag in the Classroom program director, and Bob Quist, Oliver Kelley Farm site manager, have been instrumental in moving the renovation project forward.

- a four-season shelter for school group lunches, additional programming and community rental space.

All the new structures are located northeast of the original farmstead and they are the first buildings you now see as you enter the long driveway off Highway 10. When I recently visited, I was amazed at how different the site looked. I was one of several dozen people who were invited to take a hard-hat tour. The construction crew was busy and worked around our group as we walked among the new buildings. Buses of students and teachers were also there, touring the historical portion of the farm. This has remained open during construction for school groups and family visitors.

I am excited to attend the grand opening, set for spring 2017!

Want to learn more about Kelley? Check out one of my blogs: http://farmprogress.com/story-oliver-kelley-how-man-helped-shape-minnesota-agriculture-14-121433