Rare Bird Soap Shop
Wende Fugate specializes in small-batch vegan soaps and skincare products free from sulfates, parabens, and preservatives.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Type: Farm
Produces: Flowers & Starters
Location: Atalissa, IA
Miles from Coop: 25
Andy Tygrett’s high school FFA (Future Farmers of America) project has turned out more successful than he could ever have imagined.
Stemming from an interest in cultivating gladiolas, his one-man flower business started in his parents’ gas station has grown into a successful organic farm: Oak Hill Acres.
Along with his wife Christina, her brother, Joe, his dad, Terry, and a slew of farm cats to mind the mice, Andy manages over 4,000 flower cuttings in their two greenhouses and thirty acres of organic produce.
“It was something we kind of fell into,”
says Andy,
“but it’s working out great for us.”
Start your own organic venture with plant starts from Oak Hill Acres available at New Pioneer (February-May) – you never know what you’ll grow into!
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Wende Fugate specializes in small-batch vegan soaps and skincare products free from sulfates, parabens, and preservatives.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Earl, Ronda (above), & son Jeff Haffner grow organic grains and stone grind them whole – germ intact (unlike commercial flour). Their organic grains are in many of New Pi’s breads, prepared foods, and on New Pi shelves
Panora, IA
Iowa grown herbs and lettuce, grown hydroponically by this family owned business near West Union, IA.
West Union, Iowa
People would say, ‘Show me what you can do,’ and I would make them a Cortado. The balance of it is great.
Iowa City, IA
The best part of what I do is that I enjoy every bit of what I do. I like to work in the soil, seeding, taking care of plants, harvesting...but the best part is enjoying a fresh healthy meal
Fairfield, IA
From cleaner to container, May’s focus is on keeping her product line as sustainable as possible.
Iowa City, IA
The best thing about being an apple farmer is that, unlike a ripe tomato, [an apple] doesn’t have to be picked right now. It can wait until tomorrow. It is a nice pace.”
Central City, IA
Seed Savers formed a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds.
Decorah, IA