Emma Barber and Jeremy Willhelm

Rhubarb Botanicals | Springville, Iowa

Why do you want to farm?

Farming is a way to provide nourishment to our community, whether that be through growing vibrant healing herbs, raising nutritious pasture-grazed meat or bringing beauty and joy through an arrangement of flowers. With regenerative practices and attentive stewardship, we aim to increase resilience within our local ecosystem and promote the health of our environment. We hope that our farm and the products we offer will inspire others to connect with and care for the natural world around them.

What are you farming right now?

The 2022 season will be our inaugural year at our new farm. We will be growing a wide variety of medicinal and culinary herbs and fresh cut flowers on approximately 1-acre. Fresh herbs and flower bouquets will be available at farmers markets alongside our farm-to-bottle herbal apothecary line that features many of the medicinal herbs we grow. In our newly established 32-acre pasture we will introduce a flock of sheep to raise grass-fed lamb.

What’s your vision for your farm?

Through our farming practices and land management we strive to restore and revitalize the health of the soil – which in turn strengthens the plants that grow in it, nourishes the animals and people that feed from it, and promotes resilience throughout the entire food chain. With our diversified operation, we hope that the food and medicine we produce will support our community while supporting our ability to care for the land.

Why do you want to participate in this program?

We are excited to participate in SIP to learn from other experienced farmers, to have assistance in crafting and clarifying our business goals, and to be a part of a strong network of local agricultural producers.