Small-Scale | Regenerative | No-Till

We farm on a human scale.

That means no pesticides or herbicides, and very little machinery. Nearly all of our work is done by hand, allowing us to move slowly, observe closely, and respond thoughtfully to what the land needs.

Why no-till?

Tilling disrupts soil life. By leaving the soil undisturbed, we protect beneficial microbes, fungi, and mycelium that help plants access nutrients, retain moisture, and build long-term fertility.

Compost is our black gold.

Living soil starts with compost. At Prairie’s Edge, we make our own and use it as our primary soil amendment. Rich in nutrients and biology, it supports healthier plants, more nutrient-dense produce, and abundant blooms.

By prioritizing soil life and regenerative practices, we grow food and flowers that nourish both ecosystem and community.

Small but Mighty

We’re a team of two. Once part of the same circle of friends, we now run a small farm together—and spend most of our waking hours side by side in the field.

What began with Derek’s ducklings, an open invitation to the farm, and a summer day planting sunflowers quickly grew into something more. Emily joined Derek’s decade-long commitment to growing pesticide-free produce and soon expanded the farm’s focus with an abundance of flowers woven throughout the garden.

Since 2020, we’ve been growing together—learning, building, and shaping Prairie’s Edge into a place rooted in care, collaboration, and a shared love for the land.

Two people posing in a colorful flower garden with sunflowers in the background.

Woman in a garden with colorful flowers and sunflowers, wearing orange overalls and a white shirt, against a clear blue sky.

Two people standing in a garden under a metal arch, surrounded by colorful flowers and plants, with blue sky in the background.

Manager, Assistant Grower
Flowers have always caught Emily’s eye, but it was her love of cooking and eating that first inspired her to grow food. After years working in customer service and marketing, she found herself longing for more time with her hands in the soil and less time behind a screen. Farming offered a renewed sense of purpose and a way to create something tangible, nourishing, and beautiful.
When she’s not managing the day-to-day rhythms of the farm or tending the garden, Emily is happiest curled up with a good book, wandering among the beds, or nibbling on something delicious, especially fresh bread or good cheese.

Lead Grower, Founder
Derek’s path to farming began with a turning point. After facing serious health challenges that made everyday life difficult, he radically changed his diet and began growing his own food out of necessity—seeking fresh, nutrient-dense, organic produce he could trust. What started as survival quickly grew into a lifelong calling.
His curiosity led him to study permaculture, regenerative farming practices, and no-till growing methods, shaping the foundation of Prairie’s Edge. A deepening respect for food and its origins took him to culinary school and into professional kitchens, including time spent in the Austin food scene. He returned to the Midwest to focus on expanding the garden and restoring the land, while building collaborative relationships with chefs, restaurants, and others committed to regenerative, ingredient-driven food.

A hand holding freshly picked broccoli and colorful carrots in a field under a clear blue sky.

A butterfly perched on vibrant pink and orange flowers surrounded by lush green leaves.

Freshly harvested red potatoes with green leaves and soil

Close-up of a pink and white dahlia flower in a garden setting.

young watermelon growing in a garden with green foliage

Close-up of a ripe eggplant growing on a plant in a garden with greenery in the background.

Close-up of a green bitter melon growing on a vine.

Purple and white striped eggplants growing on a vine in a greenhouse.

Hand holding a green bell pepper on a plant.

A close-up of a white dahlia flower in bloom with lush green leaves in the background.

Person holding red and green peppers in a garden.

Hand holding freshly harvested garlic bulb in a field

Hand holding a delicata squash with green striped skin, surrounded by green leaves in a garden.

Freshly harvested carrots with dirt in a garden setting.

Close-up of hand holding a ripe red strawberry in a strawberry field.

Person holding a small yellow melon in a garden with green plants in the background.

Person holding bunch of colorful carrots with green tops in a garden.

Person holding a purple cauliflower in a garden with leafy green plants.

Brussels sprout plants in a garden with large leaves.

Sliced cantaloupe with seeds on cutting board, knife in background.

Inoculated mushroom logs leaning against a barn wall with beeswax patches sealing in the mycelium and sawdust

Hand holding harvested pink carrots in a garden setting with raised beds and a greenhouse in the background.

Freshly harvested watermelons piled in a black container with a field and blue sky in the background.

Hand holding ripe red and orange chili peppers with more peppers on plants in the background.

Close-up of a yellow dahlia flower being held against a blue sky.

Person holding freshly harvested yellow carrots in front of a greenhouse in a garden.

Bright red and pink dahlia flowers with lush green leaves

Freshly harvested carrots with greenery on farm soil

A red carrot on a wooden board in a garden setting.

Close-up of a pink and white cosmos flower with a yellow center, surrounded by green foliage and other cosmos flowers in the background.

Cluster of ripe red tomatoes hanging on a vine with green leaves.

A person holding an ear of fresh corn in a field, wearing a black glove, with green leaves and blue sky in the background.

Fresh green cabbages on a stainless steel counter in a kitchen setting.

Hand holding kidney beans with red and white speckled pattern.

Close-up of young green plants growing in a field with rows of other plants in the background, under a cloudy sky.

Looking for something else?

We love hearing ideas and exploring new possibilities. Growing a diverse mix of vegetables and flowers means we’re always responding to what our community is excited about.

If you’re looking for something specific—whether it’s a certain variety, size, ripeness, or a bulk order—we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a chef, florist, neighbor, or simply curious, reach out and tell us what you have in mind. We read every message and respond as quickly as the season allows.

Person holding colorful carrots in a garden, wearing a straw hat with a red flower, standing near a raised garden bed with more carrots, under a blue sky with clouds.