Faces of Duluth tells the stories of the people behind Duluth’s iconic attractions, hidden gems and everything in between. Faces of Duluth provides the locals’ tips and tricks for seeing all the city has to offer.
Doug and Lois Hoffbauer’s story reads like a movie script, but in fact, it’s a real-life tale about their love – for each other and the place they’ve always called home. With a deep connection to the land, they’ve spent more than four decades farming in Duluth. As they continue to write their story, they are focusing their efforts on supporting the local community and helping kids learn where their food comes from. From maple syrup to Christmas trees and peonies to pumpkins, Farmer Doug and Lois are contributing food, goods and joy to the Duluth community year-round.
What’s your Duluth story?
We both grew up in Duluth and attended Central High School where we met in the band. We have never wanted to leave. Doug’s farming relatives in Renville, Minn., were instrumental in our beginning farming operations, with equipment, advice and encouragement. Early involvement in Minnesota Grown and continued board membership on state organizations have allowed us to share our passions while learning from others.
Tell us about your career.
We were high school sweethearts and shared a philosophy for living off the land. Doug returned from the University of Minnesota with a degree in forestry, and we purchased our farm in 1977. Doug also spent nearly 25 years at a local correctional facility where he ran the gardens, greenhouses and livestock – all while also running our own farm. During this time, we did several farmers’ markets a week with help from friends and family.
After our retirements, we really kicked it into gear. For the next 10 years we did six farmers markets a week. We have since slowed down and now produce just a few items, placing more emphasis on connecting kids to our farm, while also making substantial contributions to our local food shelves. We are grateful to have been a mainstay among the specialty crop growers of the region for more than 40 years.
We are also proud of the fact that both of our children and their families have returned and continue to expand parts of our farm. Jesse (Hoffbauer Tree Farm) partners with us on the Christmas trees, and Derek (Duluth Flower Farm) grows flowers here and utilizes our greenhouses.
What do you produce?
We produce maple syrup, pumpkins, squash, peonies, lavender plants, many other cut flowers and Christmas trees.
What agritourism opportunities do you have for visitors to come to your farm?
During the last three weekends in September (Fridays-Sundays), we have a pick-your-own pumpkin patch with a full selection of fall decorations, such as corn stalks, decorative corn, felted wool decorations and wreaths, and fun pumpkins and squash, including orange, white, green blue, warted, paintable and more! We demonstrate apple cider pressing on the Saturdays, offer rides through the farm, have toys for small children to ride, and allow people to walk through the Christmas trees and tag their tree for cutting during the Christmas tree season.
We open Thanksgiving weekend for cut-your-own Christmas trees and also offer the area’s largest selection of Christmas decorations that are made with “goods from the Northwoods,” including wreaths, garlands and porch pots, from mid-November until a few days before Christmas.
In the spring we have maple syrup tours, mostly for school children. We also have a peony farm tour on the Sunday after Grandma’s Marathon, which is the peak of the peony season
What’s something people might find surprising about farming in Duluth?
That we grow large pumpkins!!!!! And lavender products. Plus, year-round we offer a wide variety of value-added offerings created from local products, including jams and jellies, apple butter, peony syrup and more.
Aside from your farm, where can folks find your products?
We sell most of our items at the Duluth Farmers Market. In the spring, we also have a farm stand at the end of the driveway where people can purchase what we have available. People can find our maple syrup and wreaths and trees at Stokke’s Meat Market in Hermantown, and syrup at the Duluth Flower Farm in Superior. You can also find us at several events a year, such as Harvest Fest and Fall Fest in Chester Bowl.
What do you love about Duluth?
We love Duluth for the four seasons. And it has a small town feel while also having amenities such as sports, shopping and great entertainment venues.
What do you enjoy doing in Duluth?
We love local sporting events, local restaurants with local cuisine, and catching small venue entertainment events. And, of course, watching our grandkids grow up.
Where do you like to go in Duluth with out-of-town visitors?
Our farm is what we are most proud of. Once we have done the farm tour, we like to have visitors see Park Point or enjoy everything the North Shore has to offer.