Jennifer Kern
Staff Writer

The occupation of the Swanson brothers, of Scandia, is quite different than the typical teenage job.

Perhaps the largest difference is that Michael, 18, and Devin, 16, frequently jet-set across the country and abroad to tend to their home-grown business; purchasing and selling koi, a collectible type of fish .

ìWeíre the largest direct importer from the Midwest,î explained Michael.

Their business, Koi Acres, began just a few years ago when the Swanson family, which also includes father Mike, mother Janel and brother Tayler, moved from suburban Oakdale to a farm in Scandia.

Hobby to business

The boys have always had an interest in fish. At one point, eight aquariums filled the Swanson household. However, when the move to Scandia occurred, their dad decided to expand on the hobby.

Mike Swanson researched koi, which are popular in Japan. He had been unable to find a variety of the fish locally and decided to renovate their new land into a koi farm.

The site now boasts a facility that holds four 8,000 gallon tanks for the fish. The farm generally contains 2,000 to 4,000 fish.

Though their dad originated the idea for Koi Acres, the brothers hold key roles in the business. Both maintain the farm through daily upkeep such as feeding the fish and checking water quality. Filter systems are among other items sold through Koi Acres too, and the boys do installation as well.

Michael also runs the business website, www.koiacres.com. The website serves as the main source for sales. People from across the country have ordered Koi Acres products online. Even locally, the Swansons are finding koi to be a hot commodity.

ìThere are some serious koi collectors here in Minnesota, weíre finding out,î said Janel.

Learning the ropes

To stay educated on the koi market, Michael and Devin attend multiple training sessions. This past year, they attended a three-day seminar at the University of Georgia.

Easily the youngest attendees, the boys received a variety of curious glances the first day. To avoid confusion, on the second day the instructor introduced Michael and Devin to the class and described their business savvy for koi.

ìPeople were surprised to see how young they were,î described Janel.

Perhaps the most relevant educational experience for the brothers is their annual trips to Japan. The boys spend two weeks in the country, one for business and the other for traveling.

Michael and Devin are accompanied on their trip by Kaz Takeda; their translator from California. Considered by the boys as their ìmentor,î Takeda has worked in the koi business for over 30 years.

While in Japan, the brothers tour koi farms and purchase fish to be transported to Scandia.

According to the Swansons, Japanese koi enthusiasts are very dedicated to their hobby.

ìThey have koi shows over there like we have dog shows over here,î Michael recalled.

And they have also enjoyed the interest in koi shown by the young Swanson brothers. Michael and Devin have each been offered year-long apprenticeships in Japan to continue their education.

Both home-schooled, Michael recently finished his secondary education and Devin will also in the coming years. Though they are both considering the apprenticeships, the Swanson brothers for now plan on continuing the growth of Koi Acres.

Their goal is to pay off the cost of the farm within three to five years and completely take over the responsibilities of Koi Acres from their parents.

That plan seems quite solid too, considering the farmís success thus far. The brothers are anticipating another strong season this year also.

ìNow that itís starting to warm up, weíll probably be getting a lot of people (stopping by.)î said Devin.

Koi acres on display

This month, interested locals can get a closer look at the koi industry as Koi Acres is featured in the Twin Citiesí Parade of Ponds.

Held July 23-24, the parade is a self-guided tour of unique ponds and landscaping in the metro area.

ìThis very large koi pond is a showcase for our Japanese koi. This pond is also our swimming pond and outdoor entertainment area. The pond is eight-feet deep and crystal clear all summer long due to an extensive filtration system,î described the Swanson family.

For more information on the Parade of Ponds, call 763-392-5937.

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Forest Lake Times
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Forest Lake, MN 55025
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