Ep. 9: Eric Sannerud - Young Hops Farmer, Speaker, Food Systems Designer on the Need for Young Farmers, Education, and Beer

Eric is a fourth-generation back-to-the-land farmer. Eric grows hops under his company Mighty Axe Hops and is selling to top breweries in Minnesota from Fulton Beer, Day Block Brewing, and more.

Inspired by the ideas of educators/farmers Eduard Lindeman & Wendell Berry, he designed a first of its kind cooking and food systems course and contributed to a Food Systems Major, among the first in the country while he was studying at the University of MN. During these experiences at University, Eric was a founding member of Urban Oasis, a sustainable food center, which won a competitive $1 million grant award to bring cooking classes, an incubator kitchen, and locally-sourced catering to Saint Paul's East Side communities. He then started Sandbox Center for Regenerative Entrepreneurship, a beginning farmer incubator to address America's need for new farmers. He currently serves as a Vice Curator of the Minneapolis Hub of the Global Shapers, facilitator of Minnesota Young Food Professionals, and board member at Environmental Initiative. He is a TEDx Speaker, Minneapolis Saint Paul Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree.

His first book, "A Collection of Sorts", which explores the complex beauty in the life of a young farmer, is in progress.

We cover: his current operations in hops, how he got started in farming, creating a major while he was in college, the need for there to be more (and younger farmers), and much more.

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