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
Rainbow Roots Farm
Type: Farm
Produces: Vegetables
Location: Iowa City, IA
Miles from Coop: 5
First Generation Farmer Focuses on Regenerative and Sustainable Ag Practices
Corbin Scholz graduated with a pre-med degree from the University of Iowa but was more interested in preventative medicine. Knowing that our health not only relies on healthy food, but a healthy environment, Corbin learned organic farming out in Washington state. Realizing she could have a greater impact on her community through farming, Corbin came back to Iowa and started a CSA.
We strive for regeneration of the land and ecosystem, equity in food access for our community, and advocating for small farms growing local food! "
Starting small on an unused hay pasture owned by a friend's parents, Rainbow Roots Farm now operates on 6 acres just 5 miles from our Iowa City Co-op. The farm boasts 6 greenhouses to help extend the growing season from March to December, and employs 8 workers to help run the operation.
"Our sustainability goals revolve around the environment, retaining employees with a healthy wage and work/life balance, and making sure everyone has access to our food to have a healthy community around us."
Rainbow Roots Farm is Certified Organic and certified by the Real Organic Project. Rainbow Roots Farm grows a large variety of vegetables including the usuals you would expect, but also veggies like okra, eggplant and even artichokes.
Artichokes are my favorite product to grow and to eat. They are DELICIOUS and such a treat to have them locally grown. We trick them into being annuals by putting them through a 3 week 'vernalization' which is a false mild winter when the plants are little. Then they fruit in the first year! The artichokes are small but that means you can eat almost the whole thing. "
What Corbin is most proud of is the community that she has cultivated around the farm.
Other Local Producers
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Timeless Prairie Orchard
Dave and Susie Differding know their apples and love sharing the fruits of their education with you in the form of each shiny, delicious fruit.
Winthrop, IA
Early Morning Harvest
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
Oak Hill Acres
Andy manages over 4,000 flower cuttings in their two greenhouses and thirty acres of organic produce.
Atalissa, 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
Ferndale Market
“We keep [the turkeys] rotating onto fresh pasture. It’s a true free-range program, outdoors from early spring.”
Cannon Falls, MN
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
Jorge's Organics
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