328. From Grass-Fed to Wood-Fired: Pizza Farmer Maren Beard of Luna Valley Farm

How can agritourism deepen community connections and support a diversified farm?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we're joined by Maren Beard, co-owner of Luna Valley Farm in Decorah, Iowa. Maren and her husband, Tom, run a certified organic regenerative farm, raising 100% grass-fed cattle and sheep while also serving up delicious wood-fired pizzas to their community.

Tune in to hear how Luna Valley is creating connection through food and what it really takes to run a thriving pizza farm!

Episode Highlights:

• Origin Story: How did Maren and Tom get started with Luna Valley Farm? [1:41]
  
• Turning a Barn into a Pizzeria: What inspired the idea for pizza nights, and how did it grow? [6:49]
  
• Day-to-Day Life: What does a typical week look like on Luna Valley? [8:51]
  
• Wood-Fired Pizza: What are the most popular pizza offerings, and what makes them so special? [16:47]
  
• Cattle Farming: How does the grass-fed cattle operation fit into their regenerative practices? [24:45]
  
• Hindsight: What would Maren do differently if she were to start over again? [32:36]
  
  

Don't miss this episode to hear how Maren is blending food, farming, and hospitality to build something truly special in rural Iowa!

📲 Connect with Luna Valley Farm:

🌎 Website: Luna Valley Farm
📸 Instagram: Follow @lunavalleyfarm
👍🏼 Facebook: Like Luna Valley Farm

 

About the Guest:

After a youth spent in rural Wisconsin, Maren studied Environmental Studies and Spanish at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. After earning a M.S. in Sustainable Food Systems she worked on campus sustainability issues in the Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities for nearly a decade. These days she is a full time pizza farmer! When she's not preparing for and hosting pizza nights, she loves taking local adventures with Fritz (3), Otto (1) and her partner Tom. 

 

The Thriving Farmer Podcast would like to thank our sponsor, Real Organic Project. 

Are you an organic farmer looking to communicate the premium quality of your milk, meat, fruits, veggies, or CSA shares to shoppers?

Through a no-cost, add-on certification to USDA certified-organic, Real Organic Project aims to bring organic back to its high-integrity roots, prioritizing healthy soil, humane treatment of animals, labor protections and a more regionally based agriculture for community well-being. The application deadline is coming up on Tuesday, April 15th. Visit https://realorganicproject.org/apply to submit an application and join the movement today!

All applications received by April 15th are guaranteed a 2025 inspection.

👉Visit https://realorganicproject.org/apply to apply today!