Get to Know the Local Farms and Producers Across Eastern Iowa
Behind every piece of freshly harvested produce and every meticulously prepared farm product is a story waiting to be told. Read the stories behind the locally sourced products that come directly from fields and farms throughout the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area.
Black Earth Gardens
Farmer Mari Wassink of Black Earth Gardens began partnering with Field to Family in 2023 by selling her product through the Local Food Purchasing Assistance program. Her experience in farming has fueled her passion for justice and equity in the food system and works towards one that feeds and supports the flourishing of all humans in the community and greater ecosystem.
Wasson Produce
Karen Wasson has been selling fruits and vegetables at Iowa City-area markets since the mid-80s. Though she grew up raising tomatoes on her parents’ farm, she never expected growing produce to become a decades-spanning career for herself. Wasson Produce started, she said, because her young daughter didn’t want her to go to work.
The Berry Basket Farm
Farmer Mark Gingerich says if you want the biggest strawberries, go to Walmart. But if you want the freshest, sweetest basket of fruit, pick your own. “I’m a big proponent of agency,” he said. “If you put in the effort to pick your own strawberries, there’s something rewarding about that.”
Salt Fork Farms
For Salt Fork Farms’ Eric Menzel, studying small-scale food production in graduate school wasn’t enough; he wanted in on the action. So in addition to getting his master’s in sustainable agriculture, he got himself some hens.
“Chickens are kind of the easiest thing to start doing,” he said. “You don’t really need to know a lot to get started.”
Trowel & Error Farm
In mid-November, her farm’s CSA season over for the year, Carly McAndrews still had more greens and root veggies growing than she knew what to do with.
“We are constantly surprised when we go out in the field,” she said.
Lucky Star Farm
Join Farmer Susan on a virtual tour of Lucky Star Farm in Iowa City, Iowa to learn about the many animals her family raises! In this video version of her regular Farmer Fair presentation she introduces us to her chickens, turkeys, goats and llamas.
Organic Greens LLC
Kalona farmer James Nisly’s passions for healthy eating and local food production are so great, his influence has extended into area schools, shaping cafeteria menus for over a decade. His farm, Organic Greens LLC, has been producing organic sprouts, greens and field crops since 1998.
Country View Dairy
At Country View Dairy in Hawkeye, Iowa, About 275 cows are milked three times daily just 50 feet from the creamery. “Within hours, it’s turned into yogurt, and the next morning, it’s ready to ship out,” said the dairy’s director of sales and marketing Bob Howard.
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
For Wilson’s Orchard’s Paul Rasch, apples have always been a way of life. He grew up in the commercial apple business and Michigan, and today owns the Solon, Iowa orchard with his wife, Sara Goering. Rasch said the appeal of growing apples comes from their versatility and health benefits, but also from the power of growing food independently.
Garden Oasis Farm
When COVID-19 first had people panic shopping and stockpiling meat earlier this year, farmer T.D. Hollub started getting emails. His farm’s current CSA customers were glad they had a secure source of food coming their way, and others wanted in, too.
Buffalo Ridge Orchard
For Wilson’s Orchard’s Paul Rasch, apples have always been a way of life. He grew up in the commercial apple business and Michigan, and today owns the Solon, Iowa orchard with his wife, Sara Goering. Rasch said the appeal of growing apples comes from their versatility and health benefits, but also from the power of growing food independently.
Lopata Farms & Betty’s Fresh Produce
Rick Lopata of Lopata Farms says people who buy his sweet corn often tell him it’s the best they’ve ever had. But if those shoppers ever buy from his parents at Betty’s Fresh Produce, they might have a hard time picking a winner.
Friendly Farm
For Friendly Farm’s David Braverman, growing tomatoes is a lifetime labor of love. “I grew up growing heirloom tomatoes, actually,” the Iowa City farmer said. “As far as I recall, we have sold some kind of tomatoes my whole life.”
Stout’s Market
It’s a busy time to be a Stout! Multigenerational southeastern Iowa farm Stout’s Market mainly deals in sweet corn, tomatoes, cantaloupe and watermelon– all of which are in abundance right about now. With 100+ acres in produce and 11 roadside stands in operation daily, it takes the whole family to run the show.
Skyline Farm
Thirteen years ago, Donna Wisnousky ended her career as a nursing manager but wasn’t ready to relax just yet. She had a very specific goal for her second act: she wanted to grow blueberries. The ambitious new retiree planted 360 blueberry plants on her property outside of Swisher, Iowa. Sadly, none survived into the following season, but determined Donna wasn’t ready to give up.
Rainbow Roots Farm
Corbin Scholz is growing 600 basil plants in this, her second year of farming. The 25-year-old farmer started the herbs from seed in a greenhouse in April. As a U.S.D.A. certified organic farmer, she applies no synthetic chemicals to the basil–only water and lots of love.
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