Cultivating Connection: The Heart Behind Alpha & Omega Farm

Hello, Alpha & Omega Farm community! I’m Sarah Barten, taking over the blog today. As the owner of CommuniCATE Consulting, LLC, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the ins and outs of Alpha & Omega Farm while working closely with Kim and her team. Today, I’m excited to share some insights about one of the people that is behind this special place.

Talk to anyone who’s visited Alpha & Omega Farm, and they’ll inevitably mention Kim Hayes. “She makes everyone feel like they belong here,” is a common refrain. “She remembers your name after meeting you just once,” others say. Visitors consistently describe the owner’s remarkable ability to create genuine connections with everyone who steps onto the property. There’s an authenticity to these interactions that feels increasingly rare in our disconnected world.

What many don’t realize is that Kim’s natural talent for fostering human connection isn’t just a personality trait—it’s the culmination of a fascinating professional journey that has led her to create something truly special in Princeton, Minnesota.

I recently sat down with Kim to learn more about how her three professional pillars—community building, the pizza farm, and HR consulting—intertwine to create the unique experience that is Alpha & Omega Farm.

Kim’s story begins in the fast-paced world of high-end restaurant development. For thirty years, she worked in the food division of Dayton’s, Marshall Field’s, and eventually Macy’s, where she opened restaurants with culinary luminaries like Wolfgang Puck, Todd English, and Rick Bayless. When she speaks of this time, her eyes light up with memories of creative energy and culinary innovation.

“Those years taught me so much about what makes a dining experience memorable,” Kim told me as we walked the grounds of her farm. “Working alongside those chefs, I saw that while excellent food is essential, it’s the connections formed around the table that people truly remember.”

What fascinated me most about Kim’s background was how she simultaneously developed expertise in human resources during her retail career, managing the people side of these culinary ventures. This dual focus gave her unique insight into how environments either nurture or hinder human connection.

“In corporate HR, you’re essentially studying what brings people together and what keeps them apart,” she explained. “Whether it’s workplace dynamics or the layout of a dining space, the principles are surprisingly similar.”

As I watched Kim greet arriving guests at the farm—remembering names, asking about family members, making personal connections—I could see how seamlessly she applies these principles at Alpha & Omega. The farm isn’t just a venue; it’s a carefully crafted experience designed to break down barriers between people.

The 200-person capacity Summer Huis and outdoor spaces serve as the perfect canvas for Kim’s vision. “We’ve hosted everything from intimate anniversary celebrations to large corporate retreats,” she told me. “What’s remarkable is seeing how quickly people who arrive as strangers find themselves engaged in meaningful conversation here.”

What strikes me as particularly innovative is how Kim has integrated her HR expertise into the farm’s special events offerings. When corporate groups book the farm for team-building exercises or strategy sessions, they’re not just getting a picturesque setting—they’re benefiting from Kim’s deep understanding of workplace dynamics and team cohesion.

“Companies come here because they recognize that something different happens when colleagues interact outside the office environment,” Kim explained. “Breaking bread together—literally sharing pizza made from ingredients grown just feet away—creates connections that can transform a workplace culture.”

For weddings and family celebrations, Kim applies the same principles in different ways. “A wedding isn’t just about two people,” she noted. “It’s about weaving together two communities. We design our spaces and experiences with that in mind.”

As we sat at one of the farm’s communal tables, sharing a wood-fired pizza (pre-ordered, as Kim gently reminds all guests), I asked her how she manages to balance her three different professional focuses.

“That’s the beautiful thing,” she smiled. “They’re not really separate at all. Whether I’m consulting with a company on their organizational culture, arranging our farm layout for a pizza night, or working with a couple planning their wedding, I’m doing essentially the same work—creating environments where human connection can flourish.”

This integrated approach is evident everywhere at Alpha & Omega Farm. The intentional seating arrangements, the timing of food service, even the lighting as evening falls—all reflect Kim’s understanding of how physical spaces influence human interaction.

Having spent decades in corporate environments where digital communication often replaces face-to-face conversation, Kim has created a refuge where people can rediscover the joy of being present with one another. “We’re all starved for authentic connection,” she observed. “That hunger is as real as the hunger for good food.”

As our conversation wound down and more guests arrived for the evening’s pizza service, I watched Kim seamlessly shift back into host mode—greeting newcomers, directing staff, creating the conditions for connection to happen naturally. In that moment, I understood that Alpha & Omega Farm is more than a venue or a business; it’s the physical manifestation of Kim’s lifelong mission to bring people together.

Whether you’re looking for a meaningful corporate retreat, a memorable family celebration, or simply a place to enjoy exceptional pizza in good company, Alpha & Omega Farm offers something increasingly precious in our digital age—a place where human connection remains the highest priority.