Milton Creamery
The Musser family – Rufus, Jane, and sons Junior and head cheesemaker Galen – make artisanal cheese the old fashioned way, and source their added growth hormone-free milk from less than 30 miles away.
Milton, 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!
Old Capitol Tofu
Jake, Matthew, and the gang at Old Capitol Food Co. make their local organic tofu in Iowa City with organic Iowa soybeans and pure, reverse osmosis water for the freshest, cleanest tasting tofu around.
Iowa City, IA
Hedge Apple Kombucha
Lindsey and Kyle operate their kombucha micro-brewery with sustainability and harmony with the land in mind. Using locally sourced medicinal plants, they aim to celebrate 1-2 ingredients in their recipes.
Fairfield, 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
Eco Lips
Eco Lips is deeply connected with nature, applying what we know about beneficial organic ingredients to better people’s lives.
Marion, 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
Garden Oasis Farm
You realize what you’re taking care of right now is going to provide a year’s worth of produce.
Coggon, IA
Lion Bridge Brewing
Since 2014, Lion Bridge Brewing Company has produced beers that are delicious, complex, and most importantly, approachable, and highly drinkable.
Cedar Rapids