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Grade A Gardens will have its tent at Second and Court Street when the Des Moines Farmers Market opens in May. Grade A Gardens sells all of its produce within a 60-mile radius of the Clasens' Earlham farm.

EARLHAM — Jordan Clasen, 35, is no stranger to the retail produce consumer.

“I basically grew up in a grocery store. At 14, I was already working produce and loving it, and I eventually became an assistant manager,” said Clasen. “From 2007 to 2012, I was managing the produce department at Gateway Market and Cafe, a specialty restaurant in West Des Moines.”

Clasen specialized in working with some of Iowa’s best producers.

Unknown to Clasen, his future wife Whitney, 33, was traveling world locations from Costa Rica to Spannocchia, Italy, studying the growth of grapes, hogs, olives, and all things vegetable. Returning to the United States, she worked for Grinnell Heritage Farms for two seasons, grateful for the valuable experience.

“Whitney began working for Grade A Gardens in 2016,” said Jordan Clasen, “and it was apparent that we both had a love for good food and farming. We married in 2018.”

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Whitney and Jordan Clasen share a love of food and farming. Their primary purpose in operating Grade A Gardens is to sell healthy fruits and vegetables.

The couple has two children, Wilhelmina, 3, and Canute, 1.

“My dad worked at Hy-Vee, and that’s much of the reason I say that I grew up in a grocery store,” said Clasen. “I got to meet some wonderful producers over the years. I was fortunate to meet vegetable grower Larry Cleverly, a local celebrity who retired from the market a few years ago. Larry was the guy that really brought farm-to-table to central Iowa. He also got me interested in growing and selling garlic.”

Clasen began growing garlic on a friend’s property “as a side hustle,” increasing from 5,000 to 10,000 plants. “By late 2009,” said Clasen, “I just wanted to farm all the time. I love my office being outside.”

In 2010, he was working the Des Moines Farmers Market part time, one to two Saturdays a month selling wheat grass, garlic and a few other vegetables. By 2012, Clasen was working the market full time at a prime spot in the market.

Grade A Gardens, since that time, has expanded from just a few acres to 30, growing organic fruits and vegetables; what began as a gourmet garlic farm not only serves through the Des Moines Farmers Market but a CSA, and area restaurants and specialty grocers.

Garlic, however, is still a strong part of the Clasens’ business.

“We offer many different varieties and even sell garlic braids,” said Clasen. “Garlic has been grown for well over 5,000 years and in ancient Greece, braided garlic was used as a ward to protect babies and children against evil. Although today braids are seen by many as a decorative kitchen item, years ago, they were used as food, medicine and spiritually by many different ancient cultures.”

While the Clasens’ primary purpose is to sell healthy vegetables, customers often notice the artistic flare used to present their produce. Grade A Gardens sells all their produce within a 60-mile radius of their Earlham farm. “We carefully select our seeds,” said Clasen. “We have some of the best beautiful soil that Iowa has to offer and, using organic growing methods, we offer some of the finest produce available. We also maintain that our business contributes to a strong local economy, a healthy ecosystem, and a vibrant social fabric.”

Part of the social fabric offered by Grade A Gardens is dinner hosting.

“Whitney transforms our farm into a dining room where our guests can enjoy food that is grown right there,” said Clasen. “We host three dinners each season and tickets will be available soon through www.gradeagardens.com.”

The Des Moines Farmers Market opens in May and Grade A Gardens will have their tent at Second and Court Street.

“Our loyal customer base is what motivates us to be at the market week after week, rain or shine,” said Clasen. “We bring as much produce down as possible. We put a lot of care and attention to detail into our food. We enjoy talking produce with our customers. We’re looking forward to another great season.”