RiverRidge Farm was established in 2005 by Dean and Denise Biechler and their children, Katie, Josef, Peter, and Reikel. Located six miles north of Ames, Iowa, RiverRidge Farm is settled in the Skunk River Valley and sits just above the Skunk River (hence “River Ridge”). The farm was started back in the early 1900′s as an extension of the Iowa State University Horticulture Farm. It was owned by th
e Manney family, who planted all of the apple trees in the orchard on the farm in the 1930s, and built the out-buildings and the cabin, which is now the Biechler family home. The farm was eventually separated into two parts, a 14 acre property which included the cabin and apple orchard. This was eventually bought by Dean and Denise Biechler in 1979. The remaining 86 acres was sold to Delmar and Jo Van Meter in 1974. The Van Meters farmed the ground for some time but, eventually quit farming and cash rented the farm ground out to several farmers. This ground was farmed conventionally by those farmers. As Dean and Denise’s children grew older, they became involved in 4-H and began to buy livestock to raise for 4-H. The Van Meters allowed them to graze the beef and dairy cattle, as well as the horses on the pasture ground. In 2005 the Van Meters approached the Biechlers about buying the farm. In 2005 the Biechlers purchased the farm and once again the original 100 acre farm was reunited. The years of separation had done its damage, though. At the time of the purchase, the 86 acre part had been farmed conventionally for 80 years, with no break. Of these 80 years, the majority had been corn. The marsh had been tiled and the wetlands in the big field had its bottom chiseled out. There was almost no top soil left on any of the fields. The barn and outbuildings, as well as the original house, were in disrepair or had fallen down all together. The Biechlers immediately set out to save this farm. All row crops were taken out. In their place new pastures and hay fields were planted. Bordering these pastures and hay fields, they planted native Iowa tall grass prairie with help from the NRCS. Much effort went into conservation measures such as restoring all of the wetlands and making sure no cattle could get into them. New farming practices were implemented as well. These were centered on ecological responsibility. These included no till, rotational grazing, grass based animal production, and all organic practices. The Biechlers currently have a herd of about 15 beef cattle, about 50 free range chickens, and raise hogs occasionally. On top of this they manage almost 10,000 square feet of garden and almost 15 acres of hay ground. Future plans for the farm include building a high tunnel for garden production earlier and later in the season, a green house, more garden space, and possibly a CSA. There are plans to remodel the original farm house and rent that out with the other farm house, as well as restoring all of the old out buildings. With a little positive energy and a lot of hard work RiverRidge Farm has been transformed. It does not end here though there is much to be done and we are excited for the future.
