Ferndale Market
“We keep [the turkeys] rotating onto fresh pasture. It’s a true free-range program, outdoors from early spring.”
Cannon Falls, MN
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!
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
La Quercia, LLC
Herb & Kathy set out to elevate humanely raised Iowa pork to a top-class Italian delicacy, and they’ve done just that.
Norwalk, IA
Jefferson County Ciderworks
"We’re always coming up with new flavors through using different fermenting methods, added natural flavorings, and aging techniques. If we land on something great, there’s nothing stopping us now from throwing it into some cans and sharing it with everyone."
Fairfield, IA
Gray Toad Tallow
When Sharon and her young family were in need of a natural remedy for their eczema, her homemade tallow balm cleared their patches before they could even get into their doctor. Now Gray Toad Tallow is known for helping to heal psoriasis, dry skin, cycling saddle sores, calluses, sunburns, chapped lips, and more!
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
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
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