ATLANTIC – You wouldn’t know it by his shy and unassuming demeanor, but Dale Raasch’s Bridgewater Farm is the largest organic food producing farm in Iowa–and it’s not close. While Dale farms 25 acres, the next largest organic food grower in Iowa farms around two acres.
Bridgewater Farm sells organic produce at high-end grocery stores in Des Moines, and they’re a popular produce vendor at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market, which has been ranked among the best farmers markets in the nation by multiple sources and attracts 25,000 visitors a week. Luckily for those of us in the Atlantic area, Bridgewater Farm also sells at Produce in the Park farmers markets, including this Saturday’s Christmas Market from noon to 3 PM at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA.
Bridgewater Farm is a big deal. And they’re getting bigger.
The farm just recently finished adding eight new high tunnels. To put this into context, before the project the farm had four high tunnels. High tunnels are covered growing spaces that shelter plants from wind and harsh precipitation. During the winter, these enclosures maintain higher temperatures than outdoor growing areas. The new high tunnels will allow Bridgewater Farm to significantly expand produce production into late fall, early spring, and even through winter.
The project was funded in part by $154,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to strengthen the local food supply in the region. Dale expects the high tunnels to allow for cool-weather growing of broccoli, cabbage, spinach, spring mix, beets, carrots, radishes, and green onions, to name a few products.
The new high tunnels are making it possible for Bridgewater Farm to offer a Spring CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box. Bridgewater Farm has long offered a Summer CSA Box--a weekly box of seasonal, fresh organic produce available during the growing season. The Summer CSA box has been–and will continue to be–available for weekly pick up at Produce in the Park 2025 summer markets. People interested in signing up for Bridgewater Farm’s Spring or Summer CSA boxes can talk with Dale at Christmas Market or visit bfproduce.com.
Bridgewater Farm will be at Christmas Market selling lots of produce including greens, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, kale, mixed greens, and cilantro, as well as farm-fresh eggs, beef, pork, and homemade pasta sauce and salsa.
Produce in the Park’s Christmas Market is being held at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (1100 Maple St. Atlantic, IA 50022) this Saturday, December 21. There is no cost to enter Christmas Market, and during the market, kids can enjoy free bounce houses inside the YMCA. Zipp’s Pizzaria will be in the YMCA’s parking lot selling pizza (both hot and frozen), as well as cheese sticks, and mac and cheese topped with pulled pork.
Produce in the Park farmers markets are unique in that all products sold must be either homegrown or handmade. Food vendors at Christmas market will be selling local vegetables, meat, honey, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods and desserts including Danish kringle, gourmet cupcakes, and cookies. Craft vendors will be selling holiday decor and gifts including candles, crocheted toys, earrings, artwork, wood crafts, seasonal hand towels, and more.
As with all Produce in the Park farmers markets, local organizations will be at the farmers market sharing information. For example, Cass County Tourism will have a booth with a “Winter Recreation†theme.
All Produce in the Park farmers markets accept SNAP EBT, otherwise known as food stamps, for all qualifying food items.
Christmas Market 2024 is sponsored by Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass County Tourism, Cass Health, City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.
For the latest information on Christmas Market, and all Produce in the Park markets, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/), or at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com.
