Jordan and Whitney Clasen

Grade A Gardens sprouted in 2009 when Jordan Clasen began farming a half acre of 5,000 garlic plants. Fast forward a decade and Grade A Gardens is cultivating 8 acres of organically grown fruits and vegetables and markets through a 100-member CSA, a Des Moines Farmers’ Market in front of the Des Moines Playhouse, specialty grocers, and Des Moines’ top restaurants. Whitney joined the farm in 2016 after working on farms all around the world. Not only does she have a passion for growing healthy fruits and vegetables she also loves hosting on-farm dinners and events. Jordan and Whitney got married in the Fall of 2018 and just welcomed their first child to the farm, Willa, in December of 2019! Jordan and Whitney hope to play a key role in building a stronger local food system in Iowa for many years to come: https://www.gradeagardens.com