Faces of Food & Fitness

Annie's Garden & Greens - Ann Bushman, Ft. Atkinson, Iowa

Ann Bushman has owned Annie's Gardens and Greens near Fort Atkinson, Iowa for 15 years.  Even though her property is less than acre, it's home to a greenhouse, a high-tunnel building, and a hoop house.  These buildings extend the growing season well into winter.   

Ann grows a variety of crops.  She normally grows asparagus, green beans, peas, carrots, onion, radishes, beets, potatoes, celery, Swiss chard, herbs, rhubarb, raspberries, but every year she tries something different.

Ann sells produce at her roadside stand from May to October and a storefront in Calmar called Annie's Green Grocery.  The store has fresh, local produce all year long as well as other products from local growers like frozen meat, dairy, eggs, wine, breads and preserves.  Ann also runs a CSA (community supported agriculture) where local food is delivered to homes and drop-off points across the region.
 
In her certified kitchen, Ann processes produce by freezing or canning.  She sells the product to area schools.  In addition, school children have visited her garden— helping plant in the spring and harvest in the fall.  

Ann likes herbs because they satisfy hunger. In the summer, Ann hosts a tea and grilling workshop featuring fresh herbs.  Both workshops include tours of the gardens and explanation of the different plants; then, the guests pick and sample herbs.  During the tea workshop, guests use the herbs to make teas.  There is also a luncheon complete with homemade tea, cucumber and dill sandwiches, apples and sage upside-down cake and tarragon cookies.  During the grilling workshop, guests learn how to skewer meat, rub them with herbs and grill to perfection.  

Ann and her husband have five children, eight grandchildren, and Max, their golden retriever.  Her family is very busy—between gardening and operating custom farming, trucking and composting businesses.  

Ann has been playing in the dirt all of her life.  She loves fresh, green things and likes being self-sufficient.  Ann hates leftovers, so the Bushman's either eat, freeze, or can excess produce. 

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