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Prairie Organic VOdka V odka is a storied spirit. The drink's origins trace to the remote, cool regions of the world. Russia. Poland. The North. The pristine clarity of a well-made batch, crystal-clear in appearance and smooth in taste and texture, maintain associations with the chill of the higher latitudes. The connotations of vodka are of a spirit well-traveled. Foreign. Aloof. Prairie Organic Vodka is a different story. An American story, unfolding under the blue skies and bright sun of Benson, Minnesota. A story of a ffth-generation family of spirit makers incorporating the skills of three family farms and over 900 farmers. It is the story of distinctly American ingenuity, talent, and quality. Prairie begins in the felds of three family farms: Sather Organic Farms, Little Big Man Organic Farms, and Olson Organics. These farms together grow the unique corn distilled into the award-winning vodka. Other efforts demonstrate the highly demanding, and rewarding, process of organic farming. In lieu of chemicals, John Sather of Sather farms employs "The Flamer," a hand-built tractor-mounted row of fame jets, to burn away weeds from the corn crop. The corn is unscathed in the burning, and untouched by unnatural materials. Marvin Boike of Little Big Man Organic Farms, along with his son-in-law (Little Man) and son (Big Man), pull weeds by hand and blade to avoid using chemicals. In videos on the Prairie Vodka website, Boike says using chemicals and fertilizer actually made him bored, taking the challenge out of farming. John and Carolyn Olson of Olson Organic Farms toil over their felds into the dark hours of the night. Native birds and bats help to control the insect population. "Since the fnest vodkas are made from distilled grain and water, we chose a place rich in both - Minnesota, the heartland of American corn," says Jessica Mann, Brand Manager for Phillips Distilling Company. "We believe in a natural process that results in natural spirits." Rather than the standard rectifed approach of distilling three times, Prairie's vintage corn is distilled to taste in refection of the unique character the environment gives to each batch. The climate, moisture content of the air and soil shape the individual development of each yield. The side beneft of a chemical free crop: sustainability. Unused material from the harvest is turned into fuel, and leftover grains are returned to local farmers for use as livestock feed. Vodka can be crafted using many different resources, such as wheat and potatoes. Prairie Organic Vodka is made with single, vintage-seed Minnesota #2 corn, a grain found only in this region. "With the absence of pesticides and herbicides, and our ability to convert leftover corncobs into biomass fuel to power our stills, you have a more organically sound and sustainable product," Mann says. The farmers at Sather, Little Big Man, and Olson share a commitment to 100% organic farming, forgoing all pesticides and herbicides in cultivating the crop. The vintage corn predates genetic modifcation, meaning only the purest harvest fnds its way to the distillery. The handcrafted technique has garnered Prairie Vodka numerous industry accolades: named Best New Vodka of 2009 by Food & Wine Magazine, receiving a Double Gold Medal at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and a 92 rating from Wine Enthusiasts Companies. "The vintage corn seed is sticking to the roots of agriculture, making it an ideal seed to produce the quality and yield of corn that is required," Mann says. Wholly organic production requires a painstaking process to ensure quality at the fnish. Sather, Little Big Man, and Olson take three years to prepare the felds before a seed is planted. The meticulous, patient preparation allows the soil to cleanse itself of contaminants and regenerate the nutrient base. The farmers also plant a 25-foot buffer crop to protect the soil from contaminants invading from neighboring felds. FA L L 2 0 1 3 Prairie has recently expanded its product line, introducing a gin with a light presence, a hint of juniper and a delicate fnish, and a cucumber-favored vodka with an invigorating gardenfresh favor. Both are 100% organic and made with the same top-quality ingredients and methodical craftsmanship as the company's signature drink. For more information on Prairie farms and its assortment of spirits, as well as cocktail recipes for each, go to www.prairievodka.com. w w w. v o i c e - t r i b u n e . c o m | The Voice oF LouisviLLe 93