Tiny But Mighty Popcorn

Type: Producer

Produces: Popcorn

Location: Shellsburg, IA

Miles from Coop: 17

This is the most flavorful popcorn we’ve tasted – and its hulls explode so they don’t get stuck in your teeth.

As the story goes, the Kelty family either found their tiny popcorn: “growing wild, or traded Native Americans for it,” Gene Mealhow explains, and passed it down from generation to generation. During WWII, their yearly planting got forgotten, and a paltry handful of kernels found in a pantry jar rescued it from extinction.

Get the whole scoop about our visit to their farm here.

farmer-gene_tiny-but-mighty-popcorn_sm.jpg

Products available in store and online. Limited selection online.
 

Other Local Producers

Be sure to check out these others great local producers!

Sweet Season Farm

Sweet Season Farm

Husband and wife Ethan and Carly share a strong belief that Iowa needs more vegetable and organic farms. In 2021, they took matters into their own hands and founded Sweet Season Farm.

Calmar, Iowa

Thousand Hills Cattle Co.

Thousand Hills Cattle Co.

Thousand Hills sources beef from small Midwestern independent family farms that must meet the most stringent requirements around.

Cannon Falls, MN

Gray Toad Tallow

Gray Toad Tallow

When Sharon and her young family were in need of a natural remedy for their eczema, her homemade tallow balm cleared their patches before they could even get into their doctor. Now Gray Toad Tallow is known for helping to heal psoriasis, dry skin, cycling saddle sores, calluses, sunburns, chapped lips, and more!

Cedar Rapids, IA

Ansel's Awesome Sauce

Ansel's Awesome Sauce

Ansel’s Awesome Hot Sauce, founded by Ansel Cummings in Riverside, IA, creates a variety of tasty hot sauces that prioritize flavor, heat levels, local producers, and exceptional quality and practices.

Riverside, IA

Cahokia Rice

Cahokia Rice

Grown sustainably on a 4th generation family farm, this certified non-GMO rice is naturally 53% higher in protein than conventional rice with a low glycemic index.

McClure, IL

Little Deb's Berry Farm

Little Deb's Berry Farm

Little Deb’s Berry Farm, situated just outside of Newhall, Iowa is the pride and joy of Jeff and Deb Sindelar. Here, you'll find a vibrant mix of crops like kiwi berries, honey berries, nuts, and asparagus.

Newhall, Iowa

Ferndale Market

Ferndale Market

“We keep [the turkeys] rotating onto fresh pasture. It’s a true free-range program, outdoors from early spring.”

Cannon Falls, MN

Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Savers formed a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds.

Decorah, IA