– Jupiter Ridge Farm –

Jupiter Ridge Farm (Jupiter Ridge LLC) produces sustainably and regeneratively grown gourmet mushrooms, herbs, and vegetables in Garber, Iowa, deep in the Driftless between Elkader and Guttenberg – one hour south of Decorah, and one hour northeast of Dubuque.

The farm is located atop a 1200-foot high ridge covered with prairie and forest, nestled in the bluffs of northeastern Iowa. This land is farmed in deep thanks to Steve Beaumont (pictured below) who graciously and generously donated his land to SILT (the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust) so sustainable food farmers could steward his land, and put it to good use for community and the planet. 

Mushrooms (including varieties of shiitake, oysters, and lion’s mane) are grown organically on hardwood logs that are ethically and locally sourced using sustainable forestry practices. Diverse vegetables are produced using sustainable, regenerative, and environmentally responsible growing methods: including healthy soil building, cover cropping, crop rotation, compost amending, all-natural fertilizers, and minimal chemical use (only all-natural, plant-based, non-harmful curative pesticides allowed in USDA organic certification, and only in dire instances). Jupiter Ridge LLC is currently Certified Naturally Grown (CNG).

Jupiter Ridge Farm currently sells to restaurants, breweries, wineries, cafes, wholesalers, food hubs/food pantries/food shelves and has an online shop providing pre-order, delivery, and shipping of limited products – and a growing online buyer’s club where you can be the first to know what’s available. Visit the shop, scroll down on your right, and find the button “Join My Email Buyer List” to sign up! Farmers market presence in Dubuque, IA and CSA options may return soon.

Over the years, Jupiter Ridge’s  gourmet mushrooms have found their way to many a plate in local restaurants such as Share, Basta, Pullman Bar and Diner in Iowa City; the Palisades Cafe in Mt. Vernon; and Amos Dean’s in Solon, Iowa. They have also been available at New Pioneer Co-ops in Iowa City, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids.

upiter Ridge regularly sells product to restaurants including Cobble Hill Eatery & Dispensary, Map Room, Quarter Barrel Arcade and Brewery, Lightworks Cafe, and many other restaurants in Cedar Rapids; Rodina in the Czech Village; Brazen Open Kitchen and Park Farm Winery in and near Dubuque; Luna Valley Farm in Decorah, Schera’s Algerian Bar and Restaurant in Elkader, Brew & Brew in Dyersville, Verve Kombucha in Waterloo, and expanding to others all the time.

Jupiter Ridge donates its surplus food to non-profits like Feed Iowa First to get healthy, sustainable food to people in need, and also works with the Iowa Food Hub to get food to local and regional food pantries, food shelves, and similar initiatives.

Jupiter Ridge Farm has been written about in publications like Salon Magazine, Civil Eats, and Good Housekeeping. In 2018, Jupiter Ridge Farm’s resident farmers were invited to speak at the annual Iowa Organic Conference on diversifying one’s farm with vegetables and mushrooms.