Trumpet Blossom Cafe
When it comes to creating their entirely plant-based menu, Katy Meyer sources local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
Iowa 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!
Frontier Co-op
Founded in 1976, Iowa based Frontier Co-op is a leader in branded organic and natural herbs, spices, and essential oils. As a co-operative owned by wholesale customers that buy and sell its products, Frontier sources hundreds of different botanicals and oils from over 175 suppliers in 50 countries.
Norway, IA
Organic Greens
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
Rainbow Roots Farm
"We strive for regeneration of the land and ecosystem, equity in food access for our community, and advocating for small farms growing local food!"
Iowa City, 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
LIFE
Levi's Indigenous Fruit Enterprise is known for their aronia berries, which are native to Iowa, through sustainable farming practices that work with nature.
Keota, IA
Tiny But Mighty Popcorn
This is the most flavorful popcorn we’ve tasted – and its hulls explode so they don’t get stuck in your teeth.
Shellsburg, IA
Dogpatch Urban Gardens
Jenny Quiner is showing how a plot of land in her community can be transformed into an Urban Oasis.
Des Moines, IA