Small Towns
Farm and Food
Tyler Bartley and his business partner were struggling to find a career they enjoyed. They decided to see if there was an opportunity to buy and sell locally and bolster the local economy, while making a modest living. In 2017, the pair piloted their farm business idea and officially started selling their Sown Local Foods produce the year after that. The farm is located on the edge of Malvern, Iowa.
This case study series highlights an innovative local foods access initiative happening in southwest Iowa. It includes a variety of initiatives and projects that can serve as idea-starters to incorporate in other communities. The Center for Rural Affairs is able to assist in developing local food access plans across the region.