Otter Tail County is expanding opportunities for local producers and entrepreneurs with the recent approval of an open farm market and two cannabis-related businesses. During the Otter Tail County Board meeting on Sept. 23, commissioners gave the green light to a conditional use permit for a new direct-to-consumer farm market store located southeast of Ottertail.
Land & Resource Management Director Chris LeClair explained that the farm market will offer eggs, beef, garden produce, and baked goods under Minnesota’s cottage food laws. The property, at 18266 County Highway 59 in Vining, is currently zoned agricultural and being sold to a family member of the applicants, Paul Halvorson and Alicia Kropuenske. With the commission’s unanimous approval, this farm market is poised to become a fresh destination for residents and visitors of Otter Tail County.
Beyond the farm market, two cannabis ventures also received conditional approvals. Dale and Deborah Formo Trust requested a permit to manufacture cannabis-infused edibles in Buse Township at 3110 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls. Located within 1,000 feet of a natural environment lake, the facility falls under Otter Tail County jurisdiction. The planning commission recommended approval with conditions no retail sales, no public access, and no exterior signage to ensure compliance.
LeClair said the state had already approved the business and delegated registration to Otter Tail County, where the proposal met all ordinance requirements, including setbacks from schools, parks, and human service facilities. Commissioner Dan Bucholz cast the lone dissenting vote but did not explain his opposition.
Another retail cannabis application for Elevated Dispensaries in Pelican Rapids was tabled after questions about whether Veterans Memorial River Park qualifies as a park “regularly used by minors.” Commissioner Wayne Johnson, whose district includes Pelican Rapids, noted that a small farm market operates at the park and is generally visited by parents rather than minors. This raised a debate over how Otter Tail County should interpret its ordinance.
The discussion illustrates how Otter Tail County is balancing economic development with regulatory oversight. With the new farm market and cannabis businesses moving forward, the county is signaling its support for local commerce while still protecting community standards. As the farm market opens and cannabis entrepreneurs adjust to evolving rules, Otter Tail County residents can expect fresh products, new services, and ongoing conversations about how best to grow responsibly.