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
Type: Producer
Produces: Cleaning Supplies
Location: Iowa City, IA
Miles from Coop: 2
While Mary Paoli was living in Bozeman, Montana, she started taking community education classes to help pass the time during the harsh winters.
When she enrolled in a natural skincare and DIY home cleaning workshop, she had no idea that a great instructor would spark a deep interest to find and create better alternatives.
She decided to start Whoa Nelli, calling on inspiration from her grandmother.
“I had an Italian grandma who crocheted beautiful tablecloths and who loved sharing her homemade gnocchi, breads, and pizzelles with friends and family members,”
Mary said.
“Like her, I get a lot of joy from creating and sharing, and that’s one of the motivations behind Whoa Nelli.”
She also drew from her past work as a public relations professional for a B Corp. manufacturer to push to find more sustainable ways to do business, like her plastic free packaging.
Earlier this year the Environmental Working Group reviewed Whoa Nelli’s laundry soap and all-purpose spray cleaner.
Both products in all scents scored 'A' ratings indicating a very low hazard to health and the environment in addition to robust ingredient disclosure.
Whoa Nelli is everything that the Co-op looks for in a product,”
Alex Gassman, New Pioneer Grocery Lead said.
“It 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."
Checkout these great products from Whoa Nelli
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Friendly Farm is a hidden paradise in Iowa City known for a variety of divine veggies and colorful flower bouquets.
Iowa City, IA
“We keep [the turkeys] rotating onto fresh pasture. It’s a true free-range program, outdoors from early spring.”
Cannon Falls, MN
You realize what you’re taking care of right now is going to provide a year’s worth of produce.
Coggon, IA
Andy manages over 4,000 flower cuttings in their two greenhouses and thirty acres of organic produce.
Atalissa, IA
“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
Marvin and his son harvest each ear of corn by hand, cutting it from its stalk with a sharp serrated knife, so that delicate kernels won’t get bruised.
Iowa City, IA
“They have that old-fashioned flavor, the way turkeys used to taste. I think you’ll agree there isn’t a more tasty bird around!”
Owatonna, MN
For James Nisly, growing organic vegetables is about fulfilling a vision of producing healthy food for a healthy community and building well balanced soil for sustainable food production.
Kalona, IA