Despite Highway 36 construction, Country Sun Farm opens for fall season Wednesday

Country Sun Farm in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, is preparing to reopen for its fall season, even as a major construction project along Highway 36 changes how visitors get to the longtime family farm.

The Bergmann family has operated Country Sun Farm since 1984. Keith Bergmann said his father began selling pumpkins, strawberries, raspberries and greenhouse products in the late 70s and early 80s.

Over the years, the farm has become a fall tradition for generations of families.

"It's kind of become a family tradition, I think. I have a lot of people come out that are like, oh man, I was there when I was a kid. I bring my kids here. I'm a grandma now and I used to come here when I younger," Bergmann said.

This year, visitors will notice some major changes around the property.

Construction at Highway 36 and Lake Elmo Avenue began earlier this summer. Bergmann said the project required Washington County to acquire part of the farm's property, including land where the corn maze had been located.

"We lost our corn maze this year and it's becoming a drainage pond and a new service lane that will get up along 36," Bergmann said.

He said the project is expected to create better access to the farm in the future, but the next two years could be challenging.

"We've got two years of some construction pain going on. It's going to be difficult to get in, and our access is going to change periodically here and we're hoping everybody will work with us and still come," Bergmann said.

Drivers heading east on Highway 36 will be able to use a temporary turn lane and driveway to enter the farm. Bergmann said drivers approaching from the east will need to travel past the farm and use a J-turn before heading back east toward the entrance.

He said crews are also creating an acceleration lane that will allow customers leaving the farm to build speed before merging back onto Highway 36.

Despite the construction, Bergmann said the farm will be ready when it opens for the fall season on Tuesday.

The petting zoo, gem mining, silly string area and hayrides will return. The hayride route has been changed because of construction.

The farm will not have its traditional corn maze this year, but Bergmann said the family is already looking for another location where it could return in the future.

"It's going to cause us to change how we do things here a little bit, but as time goes by, I think it's gonna be as good, if not better, than what we've had in the past," Bergmann said.

He said the farm's pumpkin crop is also in good shape despite dry conditions this year.

"The pumpkins, believe it or not, don't mind it dry at all," Bergmann said. "We've got plenty of great pumpkins and there's a lot less rot issues this year and insect problems with them."

For Bergmann, the goal remains the same despite the changing view outside the farm.

"What brings people out is something to do with your family that is not on a screen," he said.