My Biz: Bass Family Farms prospers with CSA, country store

Chris Bass has always been a fan of springtime, although he's not one to sit around and watch as the trees bloom and flowers grow.

As owner of Bass Family Farms, near Mount Vernon, Bass is incredibly busy during the spring as he prepares for a new growing season.

'I like planting and being in the dirt,” he said. 'That's where I'm at peace.”

While the past few weeks of have been especially busy for Bass, he delights in his work managing the farm he owns with his wife, Brenna.

'There is a perfect time for the plants to go into the ground and I am proud that I know that,” he said.

Peppers and tomatoes are among his favorite things to grow, but at Bass Family Farms they grow a wide variety of produce over 17 acres - everything from brussels sprouts and kale to kohlrabi, eggplant and pumpkins.

Although Bass Farms is located right off Highway 30 between Cedar Rapids and Mount Vernon, Bass said people are still unfamiliar with what they offer.

'People think we do fish, because of the name, or that we are a winery,” he said.

The main focus of Bass Family Farms is, in fact, its Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, program. For an upfront fee, members receive 16 to 18 weeks of fresh produce throughout the summer that they can pick up at Bass Family Farms or several other area locations.

Now in its seventh year, Bass said he is especially proud of the fact that the farm remains pesticide and herbicide free.

'We don't spray a single chemical here,” he said. 'It has taken us a while to come up with our vegetable management system but the work has been worth it.”

Bass, who started the farm when he was 23 years old, likes to think outside the box when it comes to running his CSA. This year, for example, he is partnering with Lion Bridge Brewing Company in Cedar Rapids to add a beer CSA option.

'Beer is historically a farmer's beverage and so now our customers can come get their produce and some great beer if they choose,” Bass said. 'It's just another way to make people aware of what options are out there.”

Bass has long been interested in the local foods movement and wanted to do his part in supporting it. He learned about the CSA concept while getting his accounting degree at Mount Mercy University and immediately knew it was what he wanted to do for a living.

'We modified the traditional CSA,” he said. 'Bass Family Farms is more of a community because our members get access to our property. We want to promote the whole experience here and sell a healthy lifestyle. These aren't just fields that grow produce. This is also a farm that is pretty.”

Bass Family Farms also operates a country store on the property, where fresh produce is sold (to non-CSA members) as well as other local products - including salsas, soup mixes, jams, jellies and honey. Open from April through December, the country store is where Bass also sells farm fresh eggs from the 400 chickens he raises.

'Everything you can imagine on a farm, we have it here,” Bass said, noting that he is especially proud of his 1950s tractor. Bass said they have been using the tractor and a custom wagon on educational tours that have been a big hit.

'Our tours are really good here,” he said. 'We get the kids off the wagon because and we have a special potato patch where they can dig for potatoes. It has been the most popular thing and so much fun.”

This year, Bass Family Farms also will be selling annual and perennial flowers from Stillwater Greenhouse in Osage.

'We've offered fresh vegetables for seven years, and we're excited to provide a more complete shopping experience for people who love good, clean, locally grown foods and products,” he said.

Bass said this is the first year he feels like the farm is in the state that he wants it.

'We have planted everything here,” he said 'We even put in the driveway ourselves.

'We do a lot of work,” he added, noting that he puts in at least 70 hours per week. 'I have to wear so many hats - owner, manager, and farmer who also handles the marketing and accounting. But, it is very rewarding to hand our members their box of produce each week and see that smile on their face.”

'You have to love this to make it work,” he added. 'But if you can manage a farm you can manage life.”

AT A GLANCE

' Name:

Chris Bass

' Title:

Owner

' Company:

Bass Family Farms

' Address:

840 Bass Lane, Mount Vernon

' Phone:

(319) 895-6480

' website:

www.bassfarms.org