The year 2026 is set up to be one to remember for Alex Lessman. After being involved in livestock for much of his life, Lessman is in his first growing season taking over his grandfather’s row-crop farm in south Minneota, rotating corn and soybeans while also raising meat goats and helping a friend farrow pigs.

“I’ve been patiently waiting for the opportunity, and now it’s here,” Lessman said just a few days before Memorial Day. “I’m excited to take it over. The crop is coming up, and the family and I have been picking rocks. We’re looking forward to a great summer.”

Of course, like any farmer knows, making memories in the summer in Minnesota agriculture also means an annual pilgrimage to Farmfest, held Aug. 4-6 in Morton. Lessman is attending as a farmer and, for the second year in a row, as owner/operator of A Good Lemon, a mom-and-pop lemonade and pretzel food trailer run by Alex and his wife, Deanna. A Good Lemon is collaborating with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council at Farmfest. Every attendee who wins one of the MSR&PC’s “State of Soy” games in booth #620 will receive a free voucher for lemonade and pretzels at A Good Lemon’s trailer (located at C428) during Farmfest.

Visit Alex and Deanna Lessman at A Good Lemon lemonade and pretzel stand at Farmfest at booth C428.

“I’ve enjoyed learning about turf and all the soy-based products and the cool things that are being made out of soybeans,” Lessman said. “We appreciate their support, and I’m looking forward to partnering with Minnesota Soybean.”

Love for Lincoln

A Good Lemon was founded by the Lessmans in part to pay tribute to their three-year old son Lincoln, who died in 2023 from a skid loader accident. The Lessmans created a scholarship in Lincoln’s name to support the Minneota FFA. All proceeds from their pretzel sales help fund the Lincoln Lessman Ag Scholarship, which benefits local high school students pursuing professions in agriculture. To date, A Good Lemon pretzels have helped raise more than $6,000 in scholarships over the past several years.

“Lincoln always loved being outside with animals. We knew he would be in agriculture, 100%,” Alex said. “Our kids (Lincoln’s twin brother Logan and older sister Lucy) are just getting into agriculture, and we knew he’d be right there with him. We thought it’d be great to honor his legacy with the scholarship.” Alex said

A Good Lemon’s pretzels are modeled after his mom’s recipe. Lincoln loved his grandmother’s pretzels, Alex said. When others grabbed them by the handful, Lincoln would take the whole container of pretzels for himself.

“I thought, gosh, that would be a good fit for our lemonade stand — these Lincoln pretzels,” he said.

A Good Lemon’s entire operation is DIY. Alex remodeled the stock trailer, installing stainless tables, wash sinks, plumbing and wiring. He and Deanna work the trailer together at events across southern Minnesota, including farmers markets, graduation parties, county fairs and more.

“It’s our designated time to spend together,” Alex said. “We make a pretty good team. It’s enjoyable, and we hope to bring the freshest and best products to every customer.” By providing customers with refreshing lemonade, Alex also feels tied to his grandfather, who tended bar. “I feel the connection that he had when he served,” he said. “It’s really neat to see the people you come across.”

To learn more about A Good Lemon, visit their Facebook page or call 507-829-2432.