Glenna Farms was established in 1995 when Rick and Kristine Glenna purchased an 80-acre maple syrup operation from Arthur V. Olson. The century-old sugar bush is located next to a dairy farm, which was purchased from Mr. Olson by Rick’s parents, and was well known for producing one of nature’s finest sweeteners, pure maple syrup.
In the beginning, Rick, Kristine, and several family members would venture out on weekends in the spring to cut wood, hang buckets, and boil sap to make maple syrup. The maple syrup was then sold at the dairy farm, as it had been for several years prior.
Over the years, the hobby grew – Rick couldn’t resist the temptation of modernizing. He added plastic tubing to collect sap, converted his evaporator from wood to oil to increase production, and built new buildings to house the new equipment. As the hobby grew, Rick continued to hold his corporate job in downtown Minneapolis.
In March 2001, Rick decided to make this more than just a hobby. At 36 years old, he retired from the corporate world to manage Glenna Farms.
Today, Glenna Farms does more than pure maple syrup. The 80-acre farm is now home to a retail store, hosts events annually, and provides corporate gifts to several clients. Although the operation has outgrown the original “sugar shack,” Rick still thinks of it as a hobby, and after almost 30 years, continues to pursue it with the same passion he had when it really was just a hobby.
