Look for Red Granite Rock for Local Produce and Farm-Fresh Eggs

Steve and Nicole Jonas have a huge red granite rock about the size of a pickup truck in their pasture. Whenever someone asks the couple where they live, they always answer the same way: "By the big rock.”

Nicole said it was a no-brainer to name their business Red Granite Farms.

Red Granite Farms offers all the typical garden produce at the Ames North Grand Farmers’ Market: eggplant, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and melons. In the fall, they sell squash and pumpkins. Farm-fresh eggs are available year round.

Customer Pauline Miller of Ames stopped by on a recent Wednesday night looking for extra peppers. She purchased the last of the Jonas’ green bells and some tomatoes for canning salsa.

“I’m short from my garden. I needed some extra green peppers,” said Miller. “Deer have been eating mine.”

“Yeah that happens when you live in the woods,” teased Nicole. 

“I needed a few more, and I know this woman has the good stuff,” Miller bantered back.

This is Red Granite Farm’s fourth year selling produce and the first year selling perennials at the Ames North Grand Farmers’ Market. Located at North Grand Mall in the JCPenney parking lot, The Farmers’ Market is held Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.

The North Grand Farmers’ Market does not allow brokering. Vendors or a member of her or his immediate family must grow the produce in Story County or in one of the adjoining counties. All the produce the Jonas family sells at the Farmers’ Market they have grown themselves.

Steve and Nicole Jonas met at Iowa State studying horticulture. His degree is in fruit and vegetable production; hers is in ornamental horticulture.

“We own five acres, but we probably garden on two to two-and-a-half. And sweet corn alone takes up about an acre,” said Nicole.

Nicole carefully explains where and how to grow some perennials to a couple who stops by with questions.

“The perennials are really my passion but my husband thinks I’m the better salesperson so I’ve also come to know a lot about the vegetables," said Nicole. “I really like growing something for people who appreciate locally grown food and getting to know who grows it for them.”