May 20, 2026 | Food
Local Food, Local Impact: Introducing Our Farmer Spotlights
May Farmer of the Month: Buffalo Ridge Orchard
At Groundswell Cafe, we believe the best meals begin with quality ingredients, and whenever possible, we’re proud to source those ingredients from local farmers and producers right here in Eastern Iowa.
That’s why we’re excited to launch our new Groundswell Farmer Spotlight series! Each month, we’ll introduce you to one of the incredible farms helping supply fresh, local products for our breakfast and lunch menu items.
Our very first featured farm is Buffalo Ridge Orchard in Central City, Iowa.
Buffalo Ridge Orchard has deep family roots. Emma’s parents, Mary and Vern, originally farmed livestock before transitioning into corn and soybeans. Over time, they began planting grapevines and apple trees—what started as a small experiment soon grew into something much larger.
After meeting at, Emma and Marcus returned to the family farm with a vision to expand the orchard and continue building a strong local food system.
Today, Buffalo Ridge Orchard includes more than 8,000 apple trees representing over 50 varieties, along with pear trees and acres of seasonal vegetables. Rather than rapidly expanding all at once, the family chose a slower, intentional approach adding a few hundred trees each year to create sustainable growth for both their farm and family.
In addition to growing produce, Buffalo Ridge Orchard works with local schools, markets, and organizations like to help connect communities with fresh, locally grown food.
Marcus believes strongly in the importance of local food systems. Supporting local farms helps keep dollars within the community, strengthens relationships between growers and consumers, and provides fresher, higher-quality produce for everyone.
At Groundswell Cafe, we’re grateful for partnerships like this that allow us to serve meals made with care, quality, and community in mind.
Be sure to watch for future Farmer Spotlights as we continue sharing the stories behind the local farms and producers helping make Groundswell Cafe special.