Aug. 20, 2025

There’s not much in Mason Prescott or James Bell’s backgrounds that would have suggested they would become farmers — until what they credit as a higher calling.

“God told us to start a farm,” said Prescott, 30, who moved to Sioux Falls in late 2023 from California, where he met Bell, who is 29.

“We moved out to start a church, and … we were thinking about what to be doing in Sioux Falls and what to put our time toward.”

That led to about 9 acres just east of the city limits at 8201 E. 41st St., which became Grace Place Farm & Gardens last year.

“We wanted to find a place to serve and be in the community,” Prescott said. “This hasn’t been some long-term dream for me … but I would really love to do this to be able to produce quality, healthy food that actually nourishes people’s bodies.”

He grew up with a backyard garden in Iowa; Bell is from Georgia. They relied on YouTube videos from someone who teachers how to create “market gardens,” Prescott said. “It’s all about capitalizing on however much space you have to produce as much as you can that is still healthy for the soil. You’re getting quality produce and getting the best bang for your buck.”

And they’ve harvested a lot. Last year’s crop was better than anticipated, and this year is considerably bigger.

“People have been very open to share what they’ve learned, what they know and lend their own time and support, even just from the Sioux Falls community, which has been awesome,” Prescott said.

This weekend, the farm marks another milestone: Its farm store opens in a prefabricated shed that has been renovated with insulation and refrigeration so it can run year-round.

“My goal is to do our best … to have as much year-round (as we can) and not just seasonally,” Prescott said.

The inventory is adding up. The farm has produced four varieties of lettuce, several kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, two varieties of strawberries, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, zucchini, watermelon, snap peas, sugar peas, green beans, kale, chard, potatoes, onions, sweet corn and sweet potatoes.

“It’s just so satisfying,” Prescott said. “We’ve been blessed with the property … and have been able to capitalize on it.”

Along with growing fruits and vegetables, the self-taught farmers have a flock of about 200 chickens and use rolling coops to allow them to be on the pasture.

“You can move them every week so they’re always getting fresh grass and bugs to forage on,” Prescott said. “I never thought I would love chickens so much.”

They’re selling eggs to Look’s Marketplace, Glory Gardens and Sunshine Foods in downtown Sioux Falls as well as through word of mouth.

“We do our best to capitalize on everything we’re producing,” Prescott added. “We grew a ton of cabbage because we want to make sauerkraut, several varieties of salsa from all the tomatoes we grew. We brewed our own kombucha. It’s a really good brewed tea for your gut.”

They made pasta sauce, tapped maple trees for syrup and are raising bees for honey. They also made natural laundry detergent, lip balm and sunscreen.

“They’re holistic and clean for the body,” Prescott said. “Much more to come as we continue to learn, grow and figure out new ways.”

They’re also still helping found Grace Place Church, which is looking for a venue and growing its team.

The farm store will hold a grand opening from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday featuring:

• A wide selection of farm products, garden produce, pastured poultry and homemade goods. 
• A free dozen medium eggs for the first 100 customers.
• Opportunities to meet the farmers, tour the gardens and see where the food is grown.

Hours going forward after that will be noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.