Little Deb's Berry Farm
Little Deb’s Berry Farm, situated just outside of Newhall, Iowa is the pride and joy of Jeff and Deb Sindelar. Here, you'll find a vibrant mix of crops like kiwi berries, honey berries, nuts, and asparagus.
Newhall, Iowa
LIFE
Type: Farm
Produces: Aronia Berries
Location: Keota, IA
Miles from Coop: 36
Farmer Levi Lyle believes taking care of one's own health is the first step in caring for the soil.
That's why LIFE (Levi's Indigenous Fruit Enterprise) began over a decade ago. When looking for crops to diversify their family farm, Levi wanted to grow fruits known for their healthful qualities.
“I wanted to promote something that is native to the Midwest.”
Tart and juicy, aronia berries look similar to blueberries, but with three times the antioxidants and a much more astringent flavor.
Aronia berries contain more antioxidants than any other fruit tested by the USDA.
“My kids eat them by the handfuls. They aren’t supersweet, but as a native and wild fruit, they have more nutrition.”
Levi's farm now boasts other native Iowa fruits like paw paws, sour cherries and honeyberries.
By diversifying with indigenous plants, the Lyles are able to lean into the seasonality of their crops and connect even more to nature.
“Growing aronia berries has become a great analogy for how we can work sustainably with nature to grow food.”
Levi is a leader in conservation no-till farming practices and carbon sequestration.
Other Local Producers
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Oasis Street Food
When owners Naftaly and Ofer were unable to find the Mediterranean food they craved and grew up with, they decided to use their own family recipes to bring authentic falafel and hummus to Iowa City.
Iowa City, IA
Sweet Season Farm
Husband and wife Ethan and Carly share a strong belief that Iowa needs more vegetable and organic farms. In 2021, they took matters into their own hands and founded Sweet Season Farm.
Calmar, Iowa
Great River Maple
“We like our sap to stay extremely fresh – if the sap clouds over it affects the flavor, so we like to keep our sap clear as water,”
Garnavillo, IA
Backpocket Brewing
Jake Simmons set out to make full flavored, sessional, go-to beers.
Coralville, IA
Rare Bird Soap Shop
Wende Fugate specializes in small-batch vegan soaps and skincare products free from sulfates, parabens, and preservatives.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Echo Valley Farms
Echo Valley Farms, just eight miles outside Iowa City, produces certified organic, non‑GMO eggs on their family‑run farm.
Iowa City, Iowa
Beeler's Pure Pork
Their Heluka® breed and method of farming focuses on keeping their hogs stress-free: raising them with compassion, plenty of access to spacious bedded areas and sunshine, vegetarian feed, and no antibiotics or hormones.
Le Mars, Iowa