Growing a business from the ground up with the help of ISU Extension and Outreach

Pleasant Grove Homestead didn't start out so large. Ashley Wenke and her husband Zachary originally just started a small garden on their property for themselves and their children. But soon, their friends and neighbors wanted some produce as well. They kept growing, adding large high tunnels and more egg laying hens. Eventually, they grew large enough that they needed to decide if they wanted to make this a full-time operation. So the Wenkes reached out to the experts at ISU Extension and Outreach to make sure they had the business fundamentals to help them succeed. They took classes through extension, and got advice on how to price their produce to make sure they could make enough money for Zachary to quit his job. Now their business is thriving, and as they continue to grow, they also continue to reach out to Iowa State to help them do so.