About Brand Farms
Brand Farms has been in the same family since Anton and Marie Brand, German immigrants, bought the land in 1957. Four generations on, Aaron Brand farms with his father, John, and his grandfather Richard, born in 1932, still works on the farm every day. They grow apples, pumpkins and squash and keep pastured, free-range hens, so the fall market carries farm eggs next to the fruit.
In 2026 the open-air farm market runs daily from September 4 to November 22, 10am to 6pm. U-pick apples, pumpkin picking, hayrides and the activity area open Saturdays and Sundays from September 5 to November 1, with a few extra Fridays and school-break days in October. Haralson U-pick started October 3 this year, with SnowSweet arriving in the store soon after. What's ready changes week to week, so check their website before heading out.
Admission ($7 per person in 2026, free for ages 2 and under) covers the hay wagon ride out to the orchard and play areas. Kids head for the giant bounce pads, the hay-bale Straw Mountain, hamster rollers, corn sheds and animal-shaped farm hoppers; the apple cannon and paintball gallery cost extra. A food truck parks on site, and the market sells jams, butter, salsas, queso and pickled vegetables. Outside of fall, the family runs a tulip festival in May and a sunflower festival from late July to mid-August at a second site on Cedar Avenue in Lakeville.
Lavender Barnyard is about 6 miles southwest, roughly a 12-minute drive. In summer, a morning in the lavender rows and an afternoon at the Brand sunflower festival fit comfortably into one day in this corner of Dakota County.
What to do
- Pick your own apples on weekends, September 5–November 1 (2026)
- Choose a pumpkin straight from the field
- Ride the hay wagon out to the orchard (included with admission)
- Let kids loose on the bounce pads, Straw Mountain and hamster rollers
- Try the apple cannon or paintball gallery (extra charge)
- Shop the farm market for apples, eggs, jams and salsas
- Visit the sunflower festival, late July to mid-August
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Tulip festival in May; sunflower festival July 31–August 16 (2026); farm market daily September 4–November 22; U-pick and activities weekends September 5–November 1 (2026)
- Hours
- 2026 fall season: farm market daily 10am–6pm; U-pick, hayrides and activities Sat–Sun 10am–6pm plus select October weekdays; Brand Barn farm stand daily 7am–7pm year-round
- Admission
- $7 per person including walkers, ages 2 and under free (2026); U-pick apples, apple cannon and paintball cost extra
Good to know
- Dogs
- Leashed
- Accessibility
- Strollers, walkers and small folding wheelchairs are welcome; the hay wagon has three steps with a handrail and is not wheelchair accessible, so email ahead about accommodations
Tips for your visit
- Dogs need a non-retractable leash and can't ride the hay wagon, so plan to walk out to the orchard with them
- U-pick varieties change week to week; check their website or social pages before you go
- If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, email the farm ahead of your visit
- The Brand Barn farm stand is open year-round if you just want eggs or produce
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Barnyard · about 12 minutes away
Lavender Barnyard is about 6 miles southwest; pair its summer bloom with the Brand sunflower festival, or come back in fall for apples.
Getting there
Questions
Can I bring my dog to Brand Farms?
Yes, on a non-retractable leash. Dogs aren't allowed on the hayride, so you'll walk to the orchard and activity areas.
What does admission include?
In 2026, $7 per person covers the hay wagon ride to and from the orchard and activity areas. U-pick apples, the apple cannon and paintball cost extra.
When is the sunflower festival?
In 2026 it ran July 31–August 16 at the family's site at 18810 Cedar Ave in Lakeville.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of the Twin Cities South Metro, Minnesota
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
