Key Takeaways
- Bushel Boy Farms has shut down operations at both its Owatonna, MN and Mason City, IA greenhouses
- The company confirmed the closure in a website statement on May 30, 2025
- Assets and facilities were sold to Best Boy Farms, registered in Minnesota as of April 2025
- No official statement yet on whether the new company will continue greenhouse operations
- Closure follows past expansion efforts and recent labor-related penalties
Bushel Boy Farms Confirms Closure, Sells Assets to New Owner
Bushel Boy Farms, a long-standing greenhouse grower based in Owatonna, Minnesota, and Mason City, Iowa, has ceased operations at both locations. The announcement was made via the company’s website on May 30, 2025, marking the end of an era for a brand known for supplying locally grown tomatoes, strawberries, and cucumbers in the Midwest.
While no specific reasons were cited for the closure, company leadership expressed appreciation for its employees and customers. Posts on social media platform X had previously suggested a sale to Best Boy, which has now been confirmed through reporting by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Sale to Best Boy Farms Finalized but Future Operations Unclear
In an email to the Star Tribune, Bushel Boy Farms President Chuck Tryon stated that the company had sold its assets and greenhouses to Best Boy Farms on May 30, 2025. He did not disclose the sale price or confirm whether Best Boy intends to maintain greenhouse production at the sites.
According to state records, Best Boy Farms registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State in April 2025. As of this writing, there has been no official public statement from Best Boy Farms regarding its plans for the newly acquired facilities.
From Expansion to Exit: A Look at Bushel Boy’s Recent History
Founded in 1990, Bushel Boy began with greenhouse-grown tomatoes and later diversified into strawberries and cucumbers. Under the ownership of Rahr Corporation, which acquired the company in 2018, Bushel Boy made significant investments, including a $35 million expansion in Mason City in 2020 and exploratory trials in crops like mini sweet peppers.
Despite its growth, the company operated in a competitive indoor agriculture sector. In 2023, Bushel Boy was ordered to pay nearly $200,000 in back wages and damages to 94 workers for unpaid overtime, as determined by state labor authorities.
Industry Implications and Next Steps
Bushel Boy’s closure highlights ongoing challenges in the indoor farming sector, including cost pressures, regulatory scrutiny, and evolving market dynamics. The future of the Owatonna and Mason City greenhouses now rests with Best Boy Farms, whose next steps are yet to be disclosed.
“While this change is bittersweet, we are so thankful for our loyal customers and partners over the last 30+ years,” Tryon said in his statement.
