OUR STORY
Who Is Caltion
I was born to Burundian parents. In 1976, our family fled Burundi to Rwanda due to political unrest and
ethnic violence. As refugees in Rwanda in 1972 my parents were farmers, and I grew up on a family
farm. We raised cash crops like rice, corn, and sorghum, sugar can, as well as vegetables and livestock for eating at home.
In 1994, We went to Tanzania where
I met my wife, Honoree Kabatesi, and moved to Fargo in 2007. Wanting stay connected to my agricultural heritage and the farming tradition of the Fargo area, I
became a founding member of a beginning farmer training program called New Roots Incubator Co-op.
Working here from 2018 to 2022, my wife and I learned farming and business practices in a new climate and culture.
This decades-long journey in agriculture led us to establish Caliton Family Farm in 2022. We purchased
12.9 acres in Clay County Minnesota and are now raising mixed vegetable crops to sell to CSA members, farmers markets, local grocery stores, and wholesale. Also this its come as response to Red River valley community make me felt as welcome belonging so I belong to this community to emphasize them as most of us have back yard garden we should not forgot to add Red River Valley eggplant as they are healthy and nutrition food.
OUR PROJECT
What Is The African Eggplant Project
When we moved to Fargo, we had a difficult time finding food we were familiar with in the local grocery stores. Such as African Eggplant We had the option to import them from back home , but price and quality suffered. As a farmer, I knew I could grow these crops myself, so in 2010 I shared the idea with My Friend Professor at NDSU in soil research Department Frank Casey, He let me start using his back yard that time my family and I we were living in apartment with no balcony or backyard AS I had the seeds I started my researching how we could get crops like African Eggplant to grow in Red River Valley soil climate so different from their tropical native environment. The African Eggplant growing was started. While I moved in. Fargo most the food we were familiar with were not able to find them in local grocery store After while I find the Imported. One but with long way. Shipped. As frozen, they get defrost and. Freeze again. This. Was cause them. For losing the Test From there I started thinking how I can challenge this
The answer was to grow them in the Area then be come local food and process them locally
2010 to 2015 I This research. For. growing. And Seeds saving. Was. Completed in 2015 then I
start. Growing. Them for feeding. My family and. Friend in Casey’s backyard.
2017 -2018
I Joined FARRMS Beginning farm class after the graduation. I and my class
matter we were struggling with Farm land access After gaining.
We sat together. As. 5 People we create and found. The association called New
root. Farm incubator we started recruiting New member. As our goal. Was to Be
In. coop incubator. For. 3yrs then hatch from incubator after. Showing the
independent and. Mature with. Bookkeeping and Marketing Including finding. Your own
land either leasing. Or purchasing
2018-2019
the first year of the Incubator was not successfully because. Of the flood
was damage. All planta’s
2019-2021
​
I server as board member at Northern plains sustainable Ag society
2019-2020
the covid Hit the. World
2021
​
New root. Farm incubator was hit with pesticides.
2022
​
As I was. Completed. 3years. In the Incubator Then We purchased 12.9 acres in Clay County Minnesota
Currently I am member of Emerging work farm group Minnesota
ABOUT CALITON FAMILY FARM
Welcome to Caliton Farms - your source for fresh, organic produce straight from our farm to your table. We are a small African Agricultural Business located in Moorhead, Minnesota, specializing in selling organic crops at local farmers markets. At Caliton Farms, we are committed to providing high-quality organic crops and supporting local farmers in our community. As the largest African-owned farm in the greater western Minnesota Region of Clay County, we are dedicated to helping other farmers of color start, build, and expand their operations. We operate based on the values of quality, equity, and respect, and take pride in showcasing our unique aspect through the design of our website and context on our About page. Thank you for choosing Caliton Farms - we look forward to sharing our passion for organic farming with you.