Who we are

At Erickson Farmstead, family and friends make the world go 'round and we are just thrilled to add you to that number. We believe the best memories are made with those we love, strong cups of coffee or sweet tea in hand, and dancing in the kitchen. Sound like what you believe in, too? Well, then, why not pour yourself a cup, get to know us, and stay awhile. We're so glad you're here.

The perfect place for your wedding or gathering, the Farmstead promises to be a retreat for you and everyone you love. The Farmstead is the venue where friends become family and a lifetime of memories are made.


Meet the team

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Dennis Davis

Lead Event Enabler
Rusty-Things Finder
Owner

Dennis is an uncanny antique finder, loves the Vikings, and loves to swap stories with friends old and new. A handy-man extraordinaire, he can build or fix just about anything. When not tinkering or picking antiques he can be found in “Blue” his ‘59 Chevy pickup. 

Dennis worked for Walmart Stores Inc. for almost 30 years, working his way up from Hourly Sales Associate to Market Health and Wellness Director. He has extensive experience managing small and large teams, collaborating to achieve organizational goals. With over ten years in HR, his knowledge of recruiting, retaining and employment law is extensive. 

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Julie Davis

Lead Visionary
Cozy Space Designer
Owner

Julie is beyond excited to see the Farmstead bursting with life again and have you be a part of it! Hospitality is her thing, which means she'll offer you a cold soda pop or a cup of coffee or something to munch on. She has a knack for making people feel at home and comfortable, no matter the situation, and has a love of things with chippy paint and a few years under their belt. 

Julie graduated with a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis on Marketing from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Dennis and Julie have been married for almost 24 years and have three children. She worked in marketing for Maximum Promotions and Swiss Miss before starting a family and spending 10 years as a homemaker. Once their kids were in school full time, she opened and ran a successful staging company from 2006 until 2011, called Rediscovered Interiors LLC, with a partner. In 2010 she started substitute teaching at PACT Charter School, where their 3 children attended school, and continued teaching until purchasing and opening the Round Barn Trading Company with her husband Dennis in 2015. 

Amanda Davis

Manager

Site Coordinator Team Lead

Amanda is a Minnesota native, originally from East Grand Forks, MN and now currently lives in Fargo, ND doing remote managerial work for the Farmstead and On-Site Coordinating during wedding season! Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband Wil, daughter Leighton, and son Wesley, and of course - their 8 chickens!! She now runs her own custom-luxe balloon business called Party Rae Balloon Co!

Amanda has a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of North Dakota and has a strong background in the wedding and events industry. She started her first event planning jobs in college and since then has worked for places like Hilton, Marriott, and the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Her most recent position was the Director of Sales at the Candlewood Suites and is now a full time stay at home momma working remote from her cozy home in South Fargo :)

Libby Krueger

Site Coordinator

Social Media Manager

Libby is native to the lovely Minnesota. She is a full-time wife to her handy husband of 19 years and Momma to her two littles. She is a part-time self-employed hairstylist, going on 22 years behind the chair! She's an avid thrifter, picker, and upcycler. A few of her favorite things include making her house a cozy home, spending time at the cabin with her family, coffee, diys, photography, and wine. You can follow Libby's influencing journey @cozymnhomestead

Jocelyn Thinnes

Site Coordinator

Jocelyn is a Minnesotan born and raised! She grew up in Andover MN and is currently a student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities studying biology with a minor in leadership.

When not in school and at the farm, she works as a nursing assistant or server at Route 65. Her hobbies include: going on the lake with family, reading while ham-mocking, and hanging out with friends.

Her favorite season is summer and looks forward to going to the Artisan Market with her family here at the farm every year!

Caylee Hagen

Site Coordinator

Caylee grew up in Cambridge, Minnesota and married her high school sweetheart at Erickson Farmstead in September 2021. 

Caylee has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from St. Kate’s and currently works as an OB nurse at her full time job. When not working at her nursing job or at the Farm, Caylee is working on completing coursework for her Master’s of Science in Nursing.

In her free time, Caylee loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors.

Megan Leeseberg

Site Coordinator

Megan was born in North Dakota but was raised in Minnesota! Some of Megan's all time favorite things are being outdoors, spending time with her lovely family + friends, and organizing anything she can get her hands on! Megan has a few other things she enjoys as well: going for walks, playing + snuggling her puppy, and embracing every Taco Tuesday!

Megan went to college at North Dakota State University where she studied Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. She quickly fell in love with the background operations of not just sporting events, but all events.

After work is completed, you can find her at home with her boyfriend and son - probably working on the next home project!

Brontë Dwyer

Site Coordinator

Brontë lives in Blaine with her husband, five children, five chickens, and one dog. She loves cooking, hiking (why doesn’t Minnesota have mountains?!) crocheting, singing off key to pretty much anything, starting various DIY projects around the house, and believes you can paint anything. 

After a career in makeup artistry, a dabble in photography and now a full time mom who was crazy enough to try homeschooling, working at Erickson Farmstead is a dream come true!

Amy Weber-DeRaad

Site Coordinator

Amy is alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic! Her professional journey has taken her from corporate America to a role as an independent project consultant. She lives in a multi-generation home where she and her husband have the privilege of keeping up with her dad on the daily. . . 

What brings Amy joy? Navigating life with two beautiful adult daughters and an amazing four-year old grandgirl :) What keeps her busy? Meeting new people, putting solutions into action, and using her organization + communication skills for the greater good. She also serves on the board of directors for Impact Services (think Meals-on-Wheels for Anoka County.)

On any given day, you'll find her geeking out over a new project, looking forward to her daily walk outside, and sipping on a hot chocolate from Caribou - with a half-shot of caramel. 

Samara Mann

Site Coordinator

Samara has been connected to the Erickson Farmstead long before it became the beloved venue it is today. She grew up just down the road, spending countless days exploring the same land her Uncle Leroy cared for when it was still a family farm. Some of her earliest and happiest memories were made here, so stepping into a role at the Farmstead felt less like starting a job and more like coming home.

With a love for volleyball, the outdoors, and anything that keeps her moving, Samara brings energy and enthusiasm into everything she does. Her calm, grounded nature is also what won over Roast Beef—the Farm’s famously selective stray cat and unofficial mascot—who chose Samara as the very first person he trusted. Their bond has become part of Farmstead lore.

While continuing her college education, Samara works year-round at the Erickson Farmstead and also at the Davis family’s Round Barn Trading Company. Whether she’s assisting couples, supporting events, or helping guests in the gift shop, she shines with a rare blend of independence, teamwork, and genuine care for the people around her. Rooted in the Farm’s past and invested in its future, Samara is a cherished part of the Farmstead family.

Emj Hodapp

Site Coordinator

If there’s such a thing as a true “jack of all trades,” Emj wears the title proudly. A lifelong creator and do-it-yourselfer, she brings her cosmetology background, crafting talents, and love for turning Pinterest dreams into reality straight into her role at Erickson Farmstead. From handmade banners to beautifully curated décor, Emj has a gift for transforming any space into something magical.

Emj thrives in the middle of joyful chaos—something that comes naturally when she’s married to a Marine veteran and federal agent, homeschooling three energetic kids (Jayden, Raelynn, and Tate), and taking care of a full menagerie of animals. With 16 chickens, two beloved dogs (Liberty and Oreo), and a constant rotation of foster pups, her world is full, lively, and overflowing with heart. If she could convince her husband Tim to move to a bigger farm and rescue every dog in sight, she absolutely would.

For Emj, who is also a “Barn Girl” at the Davis’s sister business, the Round Barn is her happy place—especially when she’s up on a ladder making magic happen. We are thrilled to have her as part of the team at Erickson Farmstead, where her creativity, energy, and can-do spirit fits right in and benefits any couples lucky enough to draw her as one of their Site Coordinators.

 
 

Cheesin’ hard for the camera because Julie and Dennis just decided to buy the Farmstead!

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