PFI highlights diversified agriculture at 3 Bee Farms

by | Jul 7, 2022 | 5 Ag Stories, News

In most cases, it?s important to not have all of your eggs in one basket. That holds especially true for farmers. Since they depend upon such volatile prices in order to make profits, you?ll almost never find a farmer who only specializes in one crop. By investing in multiple crops, farmers are able to offset some of the inherent risk they face. This strategy- called diversification- is on full display at a small orchard in Southwest Iowa.

As part of their 2022 Field Day series, the Practical Farmers of Iowa held an event out at 3 Bee Farms near Griswold, Iowa. The day highlighted the benefits of diversification on a small farm. At 3 Bee Farms, Mike & Donna Brahms & family do a little bit of everything. They grow hydroponic tomatoes, manage a 1,000-tree apple orchard, and even host field trips and tours. I had the chance to talk with Donna Brahms in one of their greenhouses last month. She talked about the farm and how diversification helps protect them from crop issues.

One of the most interesting parts of their operation is the hydroponic greenhouse, which is filled with huge tomato plants that climb all the way to the ceiling. A hydroponic setup allows them to start their crops earlier, so they?re able to get a head start on other business and have tomatoes at the first farmers markets in May. Brahms talked about what they do to have a successful hydroponic tomato crop.

Brahms added that, while they are able to get the tomatoes planted early, there are still some factors that are out of control that can delay their growth, namely sunshine.

3 Bee Farms may seem like an interesting name for an apple orchard, but that?s because they started out as beekeepers. Brahms gave a little bit of history on how 3 Bee Farms came to be what it is today.

As agriculturists, we all know how important it is for people to know where their food comes from. That?s why agritourism is one of the focuses at 3 Bee Farms. Brahms said they love to host fun tours and events in order to educate the public.

Of course, it?s not just Mike and Donna who run the farm- 3 Bee Farms is a multigenerational family affair. Brahms said there can be some long days, but they always find a way to work together and get everything done.

If you?re in southwest Iowa and you want to try some 3 Bee Farms produce for yourself, then you?re in luck. Brahms said they travel to several farmers markets in the region, and you can even head out to the farm itself to get some farm-fresh products.

For more information on 3 Bee Farms, visit their website at https://www.3beefarms.com/.

This event was part of Practical Farmers of Iowa?s 2022 Field Day season. For more information on the nearly 40 field days they planned for this year, visit the PFI website at https://practicalfarmers.org/.