Greater Des Moines Buy Fresh Buy Local is a network of local farms, food businesses, and consumers committed to increasing the production and sales of fresh, local foods in Central Iowa. Together we're growing the local food movement in Greater Des Moines.

The Journey of a Beginning Farmer :: As a child I spent most of my life in town living with my mom, but whenever I visited my Dad and his side of the family it was on the farm. From my earliest memories I have always wanted to be a farmer (except when I wanted to be a cowboy). Now, I am trying to fulfill that dream. This will be a journal of that journey :: my research, my joys, my frustrations, and all of the things that go along with the beginning farmer.

A free community for gardeners, by gardeners! Freedom Gardens is sowing the seeds of Victory Gardens for the 21st century. Facebook meets the Farmer’s Almanac: A social networking site for backyard pioneers and urban homesteaders who want to fight soaring food prices and global warming by growing their own food. At FreedomGardens.org, novice and expert growers from all over the world can gather to post success stories, ask questions, and challenge one another to ever-increasing levels of self-sustained living.

The farm itself, of course, is a model of sustainability. Run by solar and wind energy, it consumes no power from the Ontario Hydro grid. Wood stoves burn wood gathered locally for warmth in winter. The chicken coop and duck house are straw bale constructions and a small hut (the “Cob Cottage” where Brian does his writing) is made from straw and mud. The few head of cattle are Kerry cows—a rare breed from Ireland that is in danger of extinction. They have a giant, diverse vegetable garden, full of tomatoes, raspberries, onions, garlic, cucumbers, brussel sprouts and some long rows of potatoes (the latter of which will be sold to some high end Toronto restaurants who prefer organic vegetables).