Looking for Buehler's Produce? Look for the Big Red Barn
It’s easy to find Buehler’s Produce east of Ottertail: Just look for the big red hip roofed barn on State Highway 108.
The barn, once the hub of Kirk and Deb Buehler’s milking operation, used by Kirk and Deb Buehler and family for milking cows, has been renovated to an attractive retail space for the family’s vegetable operation.
Forty-two of the farm’s 158 acres are dedicated to growing vegetables, Kirk said.
Lettuce, spinach, radishes, cabbage, peas, beans, potatoes, onions, peppers, corn, zucchini, cucumbers, okra, raspberries, strawberries, kohlrabi, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, herbs, gourds and squash plus potted plants are attractively displayed on the barn’s main floor.
Once it’s picked by the Buehlers or their staff, the vegetables are washed and prepped for sale.
The farm has undergone quite a transition from crops to vegetable production.
Kirk’s father, Bernard, purchased the farm in 1974 and milked cows in the big red structure. Crops planted on the farmland were used for the cows’ feed and hay.
Kirk and Deb eventually rented and later purchased the farm.
Like many farms, the Buehlers also maintained a vegetable garden. In 1992 they decided to sell some of the extra produce using the proceeds to cover the school supply costs of their four children - Rebecca, Lindsey, Aaron and Adam.
The “retail” area for those sales was the family’s picnic table. Produce was placed in cleaned ice cream buckets, Deb recalls.
It was such a hit that, when the couple quit milking and sold the herd two years later, they decided to expand vegetable production and sales. First up was a barn remodel.
Check out Buehler’s Produce on Facebook or visit them at 532 E. Main, Ottertail, MN
The manure cleaning equipment was removed, drinking cups that had provided fresh water fo the cows were taken out and the gutters were filled with cement. Rough sawn wood went up on the walls once the barn received a thorough cleaning.
A counter was built for the cash register and, outside, the silo was removed and a patio built. The outline of the silo remains visible in the cement.
Kirk said it was a slow process, but they completed work and opened the barn for business in 2000.
The project involved more than the barn. The Buehlers have also built a greenhouse where the plants are started in March. The greenhouse is also open, starting in April, for bedding and vegetable plant sales.
About eight years ago, the couple erected a 30-foot-by-90-foot high tunnel, but it blew down a week later, Kirk said. Another was built in its place. He admits it’s slightly crooked, but it’s still a strong structure and is where cucumbers, green beans and tomatoes are grown.
Along with the bedding plants and vegetables are flower pots arranged by Deb.
Deb, a hairdresser, faced a tough decision as their vegetable business grew. It was tough running her own hair salon, “New Wave of Ottertail” plus working full time with the vegetable business, she said. Deb loves hairstyling and she didn’t want to leave it so she compromised. With the help of an associate, Deb continues to operate the salon and works their one day a week. The rest of the week is spent at Buehler’s Produce.
Thoughts of production start early in the year when Kirk orders seeds and plugs. Some plants are started in the greenhouse around March, he said.
From April to mid-June the greenhouse is open for bedding plant sales, he said. Vegetables grown in the high tunnel and gardens are sold in the barn throughout the spring, summer and fall usually ending mid October with most sales centering on gourds, pumpkins and squash.
There’s one pumpkin that Kirk has been giving special attention to this year. He’s striving to grow the largest pumpkin. It’s weighing in at 400 pounds - so far, Kirk says.
Besides shopping at the farm, customers can purchase produce at Central Landscape Supply in Perham.
They are proud of all the produce they raise and sell, but they particularly fancy their sweet corn. They even have a sign in the barn that says, “Buehler’s Sweet Corn. Finest Corn in Otter Tail County.”
Come check it out and find out why area businesses like The Otter and Betty’s Pantry, both in Ottertail, pick the fresh, local produce for their business’ cuisine.
Buehler’s Produce is open May-October. Check out their Facebook page for information on thier operation and their latest picks.
