What s happening in Brainerd lakes area communities throughout the region. 2:00 am, May 1, 2021 ×
Barrett Petfood Innovations logo on the side of a semitrailer. Brainerd Dispatch file photo
A second Barrett Petfood Innovations facility appears to be in the city of Little Falls’ future, the Morrison County Record reported April 11.
The company, which just opened its extrusion facility in July 2020, has plans to build a freeze drying facility nearby if all goes as planned. This second facility would be a joint venture between Barrett and a Fargo, North Dakota-based company called Anchor Ingredients.
Sarah Barrett told the Record the pandemic is a boon for the pet food business as people add pets to their families while staying home. The extrusion facility was initially expected to employ 35 people, but it instead employs 100 and is running at full capacity. Freeze-dried meat from the future facility would be mixed with kibble produced across the street.
It just so happened this fall, though, that the insanity was upped a level â or 10.
The couple is currently raising six children, Josh is a seasonal worker and Nedra is a stay-at-home mom. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, sheâs been taking charge of the distance learning for no less than two of her children at a time.
But in November, the pandemic threw the family a curve, as both Josh and Nedra were diagnosed with the virus and all six of the children were quarantined at home.
While Nedra had a mild case, Josh ended up severely ill, even in the hospital briefly. Meanwhile, through it all, the couple moved forward â juggling life, the illness and the intricacies of distance learning.