Dale Raasch started growing vegetables commercially in 2007. Since then, Bridgewater Farm has grown into Iowa’s largest certified organic vegetable farm, with 25 acres in production, four high tunnels operating for the past 10 years and eight more high tunnels newly built in spring 2024. Dale and his crew grow a wide variety of produce, including tomatoes, melons, sweet corn, spinach, peppers, carrots, summer and winter squash and more.
Bridgewater Farm produce is sold at farmers markets in Omaha and Des Moines and at about 15 Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, though the number of stores is expected to at least double with the extra high tunnel space. As an Iowan and a farmer, Dale is passionate about increasing Iowa’s food security by growing food for our state. And he is eager to share and inspire beginning and emerging farmers to do the same.
Meal: A meal will follow the field day.
See & Discuss
- The potential of season extension to increase production and profit with tomatoes, spinach, greens and (new in 2024!) day-neutral strawberries
- Pest management through crop diversity, multiple plantings and higher tolerance to avoid spraying and save on labor
- Companion planting and interplanting to increase diversity and maximize production
- Equipment to increase efficiency and capacity
Farm Info
Sponsor
- Iowa Farmers Union
- Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association
- Iowa State University Organic Ag Program