Iowa State Fair

Blueberry Bottom Farm/Zihlman Family Farms, Brighton

August 18 at 11:45 a.m. – Anne and Bill Riley Stage

Steve and Kim Andersen manage the Blueberry Bottom Farm, a strawberry and blueberry farm in Brighton. The farms are part of a 455-acre diversified organic farming operation, focusing on sustainability and stewardship. The Zihlmans, made up of Kevin Zihlman, his sister, Kim Andersen and her husband, Steve Andersen, produce organic row crops of oats, wheat, corn, soybeans and alfalfa, plus an orchard of fruit and nut crops. The orchard is marketed directly to consumers through U-Pick, their farm stand and social media, as well as small grocery outlets in Iowa City. The Blueberry Bottom Farm products are marketed at an on-farm stand. The family believes that each generation makes their mark on growing food, creating community and leaving a legacy.