Milton Creamery
The Musser family – Rufus, Jane, and sons Junior and head cheesemaker Galen – make artisanal cheese the old fashioned way, and source their added growth hormone-free milk from less than 30 miles away.
Milton, IA
Type: Farm
Produces: Vegetables
Location: Coggon, IA
Miles from Coop: 24
T.D. and Sarah Holub founded Garden Oasis in 2013, on just half an acre of land. By a stroke of luck, they were able to buy a farm in the rolling hills just a stone’s throw from where T.D. grew up in Coggon, Iowa.
Their farm now consists of 10 acres of sustainably raised, pesticide-free vegetables, grown in the field and in 3 hoop houses that T.D. built by hand.

T.D. says,
“I think that our role in the larger community is to educate about the healthy food that we grow, and why it makes a difference to purchase locally. Growing up on a family farm, we were always very close to our food sources, but as time went on less of the food we ate came from our own farm.”
"Having no connection or idea where your food comes from is sad. I get to see the joy of my CSA members and farmers market customers, when they get to choose the perfect head of lettuce and tomato to make their BLTs that night. I don’t think you get that excitement when you purchase food at a large grocery store. That is something I really appreciate about New Pioneer – the identification of where the food is coming from. Seeing the pictures of local growers’ in the stores and realizing how many of the products are coming from fellow farmers makes shopping at the Co-op fun and interesting!

Someday I hope we can look back and say that we have made an impact on our community by growing great food for those who need it.”

We love growing great-tasting food and the lifestyle that only being a farmer can bring. It’s the appreciation for each day and what it offers."
It’s not always easy, and it’s not always fun, but it is always fulfilling and worth the time and effort."

New Pi's produce department recently visited Garden Oasis Farm again and were happy to see the progress of their expanding farm operation and family.

Visiting our local producers gives a chance to connect even more to the food we stock on our shelves. After 10 years of running Garden Oasis, TD has made many changes to grow and pivot to meet the market demands, adding more hoophouses and expanding in the field as well.

Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
The Musser family – Rufus, Jane, and sons Junior and head cheesemaker Galen – make artisanal cheese the old fashioned way, and source their added growth hormone-free milk from less than 30 miles away.
Milton, IA
For James Nisly, growing organic vegetables is about fulfilling a vision of producing healthy food for a healthy community and building well balanced soil for sustainable food production.
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With a passion for great coffee and sustainability, Stephen Dunham developed a line of coffees with a clean flavor and footprint.
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Ansel’s Awesome Hot Sauce, founded by Ansel Cummings in Riverside, IA, creates a variety of tasty hot sauces that prioritize flavor, heat levels, local producers, and exceptional quality and practices.
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Friendly Farm is a hidden paradise in Iowa City known for a variety of divine veggies and colorful flower bouquets.
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From a humble hot dog cart to a food truck and now a brick-and-mortar restaurant, O’s Grill has been serving fresh, flavorful Mediterranean cuisine to Cedar Rapids for over 15 years.
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Andy manages over 4,000 flower cuttings in their two greenhouses and thirty acres of organic produce.
Atalissa, IA
When it comes to creating their entirely plant-based menu, Katy Meyer sources local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
Iowa City, IA