Brian Taylor Carlson reported on the front page of today’s Des Moines Register that, “Jenny Quiner pulls back giant tarps to check the fragile lettuces growing in her high tunnel greenhouse. Rows of perky green lettuces sprout from the ground. She recovers them, then steps outside into the frigid winter to check on the cover crops in the fields that protect and enrich the soil.
“The scene looks like most any other vegetable farm you would see across Iowa. But there’s one significant difference: It’s in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
“Dogpatch Urban Gardens is the only for-profit farm in Des Moines city limits — the realization of one of Quiner’s dreams.”
Des Moines Register Front Page (Friday, January 5, 2018).
Today’s article explained that, “From the street, the property looks like any other residence. But a closer look reveals a farm stand, a high tunnel greenhouse, signage and meticulous garden plots, with rows of a variety of produce.”
The Register article noted that, “In only two years, Quiner has become a leader in the Des Moines food scene, says Jordan Clasen, owner of Grade A Gardens in Johnston.
“Her produce was instantly recognized for its quality, which opened the door to placing it in local restaurants. Quiner opened a retail space on the farm in May, which includes her produce and some products from other farms. She’s also launching a subscription service — a community-supported agriculture program — which gives subscribers access to weekly produce.”
Mr. Carlson added that, “What Quiner has done at Dogpatch has helped her capture the imagination of other local farmers and inspire innovation.”
