The Farmers
Win Borden and JR Duncan run the Borden Farm. Borden practiced law for many years and Duncan practiced medicine. Now both retired. They farm full time–or play in the dirt. Duncan is in charge of the organic chicken house, the pond for the ducks and geese and sells our produce at four farmers markets. Borden runs the greenhouse and vegetable, herb, and flower gardens and sells produce at the farm.
At age 10 Win Borden was exhibiting animals and produce at the Minnesota State Fair. But for most of his life he did not farm. He had a roller coaster career. He is an Eagle Scout with three college degrees. He was elected to the Minnesota State Senate three times. In addition he served as president of Minnesota Chamber of Commerce for a decade and practiced law for more than thirty years. He is a well known speaker and author and has shared the speakers podium with Henry Kissinger, Sam Donaldson, and a host of others. He is also a convict and served time in federal prison for misdemeanor tax violations.
Borden has done serious writing in his life, but his new book, Ruminations: Memories and Tales from a Furrowed Mind, is like a bucket of maple syrup and is now available at the Brainerd, Baxter, Crosslake, Nisswa and Pequot Lakes Farmers Markets, as well as at the farm and selected book stores. Farm Market Press calls it “a great history of farming in the Brainerd Lakes Area, and filled with nostalgia, observations about the wonders of Mother Nature and hope and optimism.” It is an easy pick up and put down and pick up again “must read” for anyone fascinated with farming and the lessons of nature.