When I took the helm at Summertime in 2015, I spent considerable time reflecting on our place in the industry. I thought about staying the course as a repacker and shipper. After all, the company has been around since the early 1970s, built wonderful relationships with growers, as well as wholesalers and retailers throughout the Midwest. We could have ridden the growth out, but I envisioned a different role for us. The question that propelled my vision was “if other states can grow potatoes, why can’t we?” Here 
in Iowa, we are surrounded by some of the best farm ground in the world with ample water supply. Fueled by a personal passion for the land and farming, I set out to vertically integrate Summertime.
Strategic Growth
As a nation, we are facing port shut downs, labor shortages, logistical challenges, rising inflation, long food miles and extreme weather events. All of these factors make our food supply in the Midwest vulnerable since we rely so heavily on coastal growers. Local and regional food is going to grow. It has to. We must find more economical ways to grow food and limit our food chain vulnerabilities. I want
to be a part of the solution. With our Midwestern location, we are can strategically shorten the supply chain and reduce food miles for our customers.
Passion for Farming
To propel our company forward, we needed a clear vision of where we wanted to grow. Having our own farm site opens up diversification and vertical integration opportunities. Right now, we are exclusively growing potatoes, but I know whatever we choose to grow in the future, start to finish we will have pride in the process. Although we still source potatoes from our valued growing partners, there’s a special level of pride that comes from being a part of the process from planting to harvest. I love watching the plants grow, putting the hard work in and 
reaping the benefits at the end of the season. Now, we are able to share that experience with our customers. I invite you to tour Summertime Farms. We are very proud of our decades long history but equally excited about what we are building for the future.