CUSTOMER STORY
From humble beginnings as a seasonal market in Foley, Minnesota, to becoming one of the state’s top agritourism destinations, Stoney Brook Farms’ journey is a powerful example of how growers can connect consumers to the land—and to the people behind their food.
A history of grit and growth
Brad Chmielewski is a third-generation farmer who manages Stoney Brook Farms, a family-run operation with deep roots in rural Minnesota. What started in the 1970s as a small roadside market selling produce and bulk candy gradually shifted to wholesale as large retailers moved into the area.
The farm officially became Stoney Brook Farms in 2007, when Brad’s father purchased the business from his grandmother. Since then, it has grown from 200 to 800 acres, supported by a close-knit team, 22 seasonal H-2A workers, and a focus on six to seven key crops. Brad, the general manager of Stoney Brook, describes himself as a “one-stop shop: HR manager, operations manager, truck loader, forklift operator, tractor driver… just about everything.”
Bringing food to life
Stoney Brook Farms’ venture into agritourism began with a simple idea: help people connect with where their food comes from. Brad credits his wife, Ashley, with getting the idea off the ground.
“It was frustrating,” Brad recalls, “seeing our produce in stores but not being able to connect with the people buying them.”
Their solution was to open the gates to the farm. The Chmielewskis started hosting U-pick events and on-farm experiences to bring visitors closer to the land and the people behind it. In 2016, they planted their first corn maze: a modest 8-acre layout that drew 2,200 visitors that fall.
Today, as many people visit Stoney Brook in a single day during peak season. At over 35 acres, their corn maze now considered one of the largest in the world, featuring intricate themes like dinosaurs, space, and farm life). In 2023, the maze took visitors on a prehistoric journey with a full Jurassic theme—including life-size dinosaurs, animatronics, and interactive displays that wowed families and school groups alike.
Agritourism has become a cornerstone of Stoney Brook’s identity. “It’s important for people to know where their food comes from and understand the power of local produce, to actually know the farmer who grows it,” Brad says.
The force behind every festival
While agritourism draws crowds, it's the workers behind the scenes who make it all possible. Stoney Brook Farms relies heavily on the H-2A program to meet labor needs.
“Without the H-2A program, we wouldn’t have a fall festival.” Brad notes. “We couldn’t be happier with the workers that we have.”
With Seso, Stoney Brook found an all-in-one partner to support their labor program, from H-2A filing, recruitment, and consulate services to ag-compliant payroll and paycards. After the pain of two previous audits and too many pay runs to count, Brad was eager to streamline the most difficult parts of his job into a single system that could scale with his family’s business.
In the back office, Seso’s software has made payroll and compliance a lot less burdensome for Brad, saving him hours every payday. Meanwhile, Seso’s services have helped him better support his workers, from ensuring they are cared for throughout their journey to the farm to helping them save more of their paychecks.
Most recently, Seso Paycards have given workers a ton of time back every payday. “Our workers used to spend almost an entire day, every payday, cashing checks and transferring money back home,” Brad recalls. “Now, they can do everything digitally with Paycards. They don't have to worry about cashing their checks and they can transfer money through the app right back to Mexico. It’s super convenient for them and it’s advantageous for our farm as well.”
Know your strengths, share your story
So what would Brad say to other growers considering a shift toward agritourism? Beyond using tools that make farm management easier, Brad suggests two key tactics: invest in digital outreach and stay focused on your niche.
“Having a good social media presence nowadays is really important,” he says. “Platforms like Instagram are huge in connecting with people in my generation and younger.”
His second piece of advice is simple but essential.
“Bigger is not always better. Sometimes it’s not bad to be a little smaller and do things a little better. We try to be a little more high quality with fewer acres and focusing on the niche things that we’re good at.”
Learn more about Stoney Brook
Curious how Stoney Brook works with Seso? Read their case study to find out how Brad and his workers get more time back in the field each season.
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