Meet the Farmers
Growing Culturally Relevant Produce Here in Linn County
Growing for Community
The Equitable Land Access Program connects farmers with land and equipment in Linn County. Meet our Farmers. Hear their story. Buy Local.
Darius & Wealee N.
Country: Liberia
ELA Program: 3rd Year Farmer
The Journey to Iowa
Darius came to the U.S from Liberia in 2015. He originally lived in Philadelphia for 2 years before moving to Iowa, which caught his attention in particular because of the farming opportunities. Darius became connected to Feed Iowa First through a friend and started volunteering with us. A year later, he became one of our first ELA farmers in 2021.
Where his farming passion started:
Darius comes with 5 years experience of farming and a Bachelors in General Agriculture from the University of Liberia in West Africa. He later attended Mount Mercy University and obtained a Masters in Strategic Leadership. Darius has a strong passion for agriculture, as he loves spending time in the fields and enjoys all aspects of agriculture. Being able to grow and provide food for people to eat is a strong source of pride for him.
What they are growing and how to buy:
Currently, Darius grows bell peppers, habaneros. eggplants, bitterball, okra, and potatoes. You can contact Darius at dnupolu@yahoo.com for inquiries.
ELA Program Experience:
Through Darius’ experience in the ELA Program, he has been able to expand and share his knowledge with other farmers.
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/Nupolusfarm
Theo
Country: Burundi
ELA Program: 3rd Year Farmer
Where his farming passion started:
Theo loves working on a farm and the exercise involved. Growing culturally relevant produce for his community is one of his passions in farming. Another bonus is that he is also able to bring in additional income through farming while doing meaningful work he enjoys.
What he is growing and how to buy:
Theo grows white eggplant, beans, sweet potatoes, 11 varieties of peppers, lettuce, beets, peas, and cassava. If you would like to purchase produce from Theo, you can reach him by WhatsApp at 319-213-1017.
Siriro
Country: Burundi
ELA Program: 2nd Year Farmer
The Journey to Iowa
Siriro is originally from Burundi, but lived in a refugee camp for 15 years. In 2011, he interviewed to come to the United States. By 2016, Siriro came to Iowa and began to farm here in 2017. He found a farming community in Cedar Rapids that helped him get started. Around 2019 he became connected with Feed Iowa First through a local church and by 2020, he became a member of our ELA Program.
Where his farming passion started:
Siriro’s passion for farming began at home in Burundi, where his parents were farmers. He loves farming now because of his ability to grow food for his family and social networks.
What he is growing and how to buy:
Siriro grows white eggplant, tomatoes, okra, strawberries, cabbage, and a variety of hot peppers.
ELA Program Experience:
Siriro appreciates the resources the ELA Program offers, such as equipment sharing, seed starting, and farmland provided.
Daniel
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
ELA Program: 1st Year Farmer
The Journey to Iowa
When Daniel first came to the United States, he started out in Minneapolis. Shortly after, he moved to Portland, Maine where he worked as a pastor and continued farming. Then, Daniel arrived in Iowa with his family after a friend’s son contacted him, saying Iowa would be a great fit with his agricultural background.
Where his farming passion started:
Daniel’s passion for farming began while he was a scout leader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He used farming to show the scout group he worked with as a way to grow on the land in order to make a living. Together, they grew cabbage, carrots, and amaranth.
What he is growing and how to buy:
Daniel is growing cabbage, white eggplant, hot peppers, roselles, yams, and sweet potatoes. Daniel can be reached at daniel1scout@yahoo.fr for inquiries.
ELA Program Experience:
Daniel has had a positive experience in the ELA Program. Having access to resources such as water and equipment has made his farming experience easier.
Mari
Country: United States
ELA Program: 1st Year Farmer
Where her farming passion started:
When the COVID-19 lockdown happened in 2020, she began to volunteer at a vegetable farm. She realized that her love for nature and and her hobby of gardening are not incompatible with her lifelong pursuit for racial justice. She sees farming and racial justice as intertwined and inseparable.
What she is growing and how to buy:
Mari grows vegetables, fruits, and herbs. For inquiries, she can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/blackearthgardens.
Guy
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
ELA Program: Community Ag Farmer
The Journey to Iowa
Guy came to Iowa back in 2017, and with him he brought a wealth of agricultural knowledge from his studies back home and continued his education in business at Kirkwood.
Where his farming passion started:
Guy loves farming because of the work involved and the process of starting veggies. His goals for the future are to buy more acreage, plant corn, and purchase chickens.
What he is growing and how to buy:
Currently, Guy grows tomatoes, okra, potatoes, peppers, and white onions. If you’d like to purchase his produce, you can reach him at agribusiness@gbnassociatesllc.com.
Kisonia
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
ELA Program: Community Ag Farmer
The Journey to Iowa
Kisonia is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where she began farming. She first resided in Maine when she came to the U.S, but moved to Iowa because of the job market and her husband’s schooling.
Where her farming passion started:
Kisonia’s main passions about farming are being able to work on her own schedule, growing organic food to feed people, and being out in nature.
What she is growing and how to buy:
She currently grows tomatoes, peppers, white eggplants, amaranth, nakati vegetables, turnip, egyptian spinach, and water spinach. If interested in purchasing produce, you can reach her at patiencekisonia@yahoo.com.