Our Team
Angela Tedesco
I grew up in Oklahoma on a small farm with lots of freedom to wander and explore the out-of-doors. Our family always had a large garden, and when I was old enough, helping my mother harvest and put up the produce or prepare it for dinner for our family of seven was where I learned what good food tastes like. After attending college in the sciences (chemistry, Univ. of Ok), working in research laboratories, moving to Iowa in 1975 and raising children, and then a brief foray as a religious education director, I later returned for a horticulture degree at Iowa State. During that time I attended conferences and learned about community supported agriculture (CSA). I formed a connection with others who were looking for healthy food and serving community while honoring the farm and the soil.
I started Turtle Farm in 1995 as a CSA and had the support of many customers who were willing to join that growing adventure with me over 17 years. I found customer education about food and how it was grown was an important and satisfying component of not only my CSA, but the community as well. After retiring from farming in 2012, I have supported other local food endeavors such as the Iowa Food Coop, given talks to community groups, and most recently written a book about to be released about my farming adventure. Being a part of CULTIVATE gives me another opportunity to serve, support, and educate the community about food and how it gets on our plates.
I live in Johnston with my husband John on an acreage with a large garden and lots of wildlife that like to share it.