Friendly Farm
Friendly Farm is a hidden paradise in Iowa City known for a variety of divine veggies and colorful flower bouquets.
Iowa City, IA
Sobaski's Pork
Type: Farm
Produces: Pork
Location: Washington, IA
Miles from Coop: 35
Meet Aaron Sobaski and his family:
"After college, I worked at a confinement pig farm," Aaron explains. "I was sick all the time," he recalls, "and I wasn’t happy."
"I decided I was going to raise pigs my way – and I would never go back. It truly bothers me to drive past hog confinements that do not allow the pigs to have access to do what a pig wants and is supposed to do."
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."
A secret:
Confinement pig farmers order pigs from Aaron, because they’re the kind of meat they actually want to eat. It’s just got a different flavor.
"It is labor intensive,” Aaron notes, “but it’s definitely worth it."
Other Local Producers
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Baroncini Pastas
Chef Gianluca Baroncini of Baroncini Ristorante now offers his fresh house-made pastas as a base for your meal.
Iowa City, IA
Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers formed a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds.
Decorah, IA
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
Whoa Nelli
Whoa Nelli is incredibly sustainable with its glass and refillable bottles, it is made right here in Iowa City, and it works really well without using harmful chemicals.
Iowa City, IA
Ferndale Market
“We keep [the turkeys] rotating onto fresh pasture. It’s a true free-range program, outdoors from early spring.”
Cannon Falls, MN
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