Crane Creek Farms
Jeff and Jesse Eichenberger are sugaring the old fashioned way, with wholesome-looking metal taps and pails on each tree they empty every day the sap flows.
Lawler, IA
Kerns Homegrown
Type: Producer
Produces: Sweet Corn
Location: Oelwein, IA
Miles from Coop: 54
A Homegrown Start
In 1999, at the age of 15, Blake Kerns rented two acres of abandoned crop land, borrowed a planter, and seeded sweet corn. Twenty years later he's still planting, picking, and delivering fresh picked homegrown produce.
“Planting a seed, nurturing it, picking it, delivering it- the process provides a real sense of accomplishment.”
Sustainability
As a GAP-certified Iowa farm operation with over 2,200 acres of crop production including 100+ acres of fruits and vegetables, sustainable agriculture practices are at the core of Kerns Homegrown operations.
The use of rotational cover crops, integrated pest management systems, drip irrigation, and no-till farming are just some of the ways Blake works to improve soil health and reduce erosion for better land stewardship of Iowa farmland.
Other Local Producers
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Cafe del Sol
With a passion for great coffee and sustainability, Stephen Dunham developed a line of coffees with a clean flavor and footprint.
Iowa City, IA
Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers formed a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds.
Decorah, IA
Ferndale Market
“We keep [the turkeys] rotating onto fresh pasture. It’s a true free-range program, outdoors from early spring.”
Cannon Falls, MN
Cahokia Rice
Grown sustainably on a 4th generation family farm, this certified non-GMO rice is naturally 53% higher in protein than conventional rice with a low glycemic index.
McClure, IL
Big Timber Maple Syrup
Big Timber Maple has been producing certified organic maple syrup since 2000. What began as a hobby quickly grew into a thriving family business, driven by a passion for quality and tradition.
Epworth, Iowa
Dogpatch Urban Gardens
Jenny Quiner is showing how a plot of land in her community can be transformed into an Urban Oasis.
Des Moines, IA
Coffalo Coffee
In 2020, Chris James turned to coffee roasting and never looked back. His flavorful brews and charming bike deliveries with his pug Bugsy have made his brand a local favorite.
West Des Moines, Iowa