Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers formed a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds.
Decorah, IA
Oak Hill Acres
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!
Other Local Producers
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Maharishi World Peace Vedic Organics
Basking in the warm greenhouses at Maharishi Vedic City Organic Farm, kale and chard are living it up.
Fairfield, Iowa
Wilson's Orchard
They have a robust pick-your-own apple business at the farm, where they also make apple cider, apple turnovers, and apple cider donuts, and they grow pumpkins. What more could you ask for?
Iowa City, IA
Grimm Family Farm
Jason and Hannah's Black Turtle Beans have a special, earthy flavor and creamy texture, and can actually be cooked without pre-soaking.
North English, IA
Sobaski's Pork
Aaron’s pigs have: “Plenty of room to run, root around, dig holes, and go outside, and they just don’t get sick – they’re overall healthy pigs.”
Washington, IA
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
Buffalo Ridge Orchard
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
Echo Dell Farm
Calvin Yoder of Echo Dell Farm has been raising whole, local, organic chickens for New Pi since 1988.
Kalona, IA