Roll on over for a free field day with Denise O'Brien and her husband, Larry Harris, at Rolling Acres Farm in Atlantic on Saturday, September 28 from noon to 3 p.m.

This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore an organic farm and greenhouse, tour a newly constructed, carbon-neutral straw bale house, and learn about the benefits of cultivating resilient organic farming communities.

True to their dedication to intergenerational resiliency, Denise and Larry recently built a straw bale house to help provide more living space at the farm as they welcome their children and grandchildren onto the farm. Tour the straw bale house and learn about the project from the lead contractor, Jim Schalles. 

During the program, Denise and members of her community will engage conversations with participants about process of transitioning and operating an organic farm and greenhouse, opportunities for intergenerational collaboration, and challenges and tools to address climate change.

About the farm

Denise O' Brien and her husband, Larry Harris have owned and operated Rolling Acres Farm since 1976. They've grown a wide array of organic produce on their seventeen acres through the years -- from fruits and vegetables to flowers -- but what makes their work especially impressive is their commitment to activism and community-building. For example, Denise is the founder of the Women’s Food and Agriculture Network, was a candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in 2006, and the former agriculture advisor in Afghanistan. Denise and Larry have also become renowned organic mentors in her community because of their ongoing commitment to sharing land and knowledge with newer farmers. Denise and Larry received the Seventh Generation Award by the Center of Rural Affairs in 2023. 

Exhibitors

Email [email protected] if you wish to set up a table at this event.

Funding Acknowledgement