Tom O’Brien discovered his passion for large-scale farming at the age of 12. As his life evolved, so did his goals. In 2016, after moving back to the same block he grew up on, he embraced his long-held dream and became a farmer. This decision led to the creation of Gardens on Glen in 2019, an urban farm and garden center in Council Bluffs.
Tom started market gardening in 2016, selling his produce and diving into market research. He also sought to develop other self-sufficient life skills, such as food preservation, soap-making, animal husbandry, and processing. By leveraging his personal savings, Tom launched the business in 2019, offering plants, products, and rabbit meat to customers through farmers’ markets and Facebook.
In 2020, after establishing his perennial plants, Tom launched a modified version of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program called a Crop Share Plan (CSP). This initiative began with 20 weeks of produce and value-added products for five subscribers. As Tom expanded his gardening space, the CSP grew to 22 weeks and 15 subscribers.
Through the CSP, Gardens on Glen has produced an estimated 2,000 pounds of produce using just 2,000 square feet of gardening space. This program exemplifies the sustainable practices that Gardens on Glen promotes throughout the Council Bluffs community.
“We believe that by leading by example, we can educate and empower others to live more self-sustainably using the resources they have to their highest potential. Not everyone needs to have a market garden, but we believe that everyone should be playing a stronger role in the production of their own food and personal/family needs,” said Tom.
To further educate and empower others, Tom began writing cookbooks in 2020, with his first cookbook, Rockin’ Rabbit Recipes, released in 2022.
Since introducing rabbits to the operation in 2019, Gardens on Glen has expanded further by adding chickens in 2021. This addition has allowed them to hatch chicks and raise young chickens to sell as egg layers for individuals starting their own flocks. Tom’s daughters, Gwen and Isla, have embraced the growth, helping care for the rabbits and chickens and assisting in the garden.
Some additional expansions to the Gardens on Glen operation include growing heirloom varieties of fruit and nut trees produced by a local partner, growing their own trees, and working with a partner to manage a small apiary (beekeeping operation).
Tom credits much of Gardens on Glen’s success to the continued support of community partners and customers.
“When customers implement skills learned and products customized from Gardens on Glen into their daily lifestyles in healthy and sustainable ways, we are successful.”
Even though Gardens on Glen has seen growth in recent years, it did not come without its unforeseen challenges. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the various rules and regulations regarding livestock within city limits. By adapting his business practices to meet city codes, Tom has seen Gardens on Glen flourish.
As an entrepreneur, Tom had his own barriers to overcome when starting Gardens on Glen. Feelings of self-doubt and fear that he wasn’t ready stood in the way, but when Tom decided it was time to start, he started. He did not let these barriers hinder his entrepreneurial journey.
“There’s always more to learn, but at a certain point, it was necessary to realize that I had accumulated enough knowledge and experience that waiting any longer to officially startthe business was going to be detrimental. So, I started making and selling products, tracking data, and adapting to keep up with my growth potential and Gardens on Glen’s.”
Gardens on Glen has accomplished great things through all the challenges and barriers. Their biggest accomplishment has been creating and maintaining data collection systems from scratch. Diligence in tracking measurable data has allowed them to impact their future sustainable growth. “We make decisions that lead to ‘next year’ regularly being our best year ever!” said Tom.
Gardens on Glen has contributed to the knowledge and skills that positively impact the Council Bluffs community through classes, published books, and participation in community marketplaces. The business provides customers with the highest quality local products and produce and shares their expertise in urban farming techniques, self-sufficient living practices, and resource management. This knowledge empowers the community to enhance their own healthy living skills and abilities.
When looking to the future, Gardens on Glen plans to grow its products and services while expanding its business footprint and influence, ultimately serving broader markets.
Tom’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Be a producer. Produce and make something useful to sell that you have a passion for and a strong belief in.
- Be able to recognize when you’ve learned enough to start and then start. Don’t wait for perfection.
- Know what skills you have and what skills you don’t have. If you can’t develop a skill efficiently and/or effectively, find an expert to overcome the challenge. The SBDC is a great resource and will find you an expert with the right answer.
Gardens on Glen is grateful to Iowa Western SBDC Regional Director Elizabeth Christensen and the SBA for their assistance in finding experts with the information necessary to decide if pursuing a particular product development was feasible and would be worth the reward. Through business counseling, Tom has received assistance with setting up business documents and completing necessary registrations. Currently, Gardens on Glen is being assisted by the SBDC to pursue grant opportunities that will help them remain debt-free.
“The Small Business Development Center has been, and continues to be, a valuable resource to Gardens on Glen’s relentless pursuit of sustainable growth!” said Tom.
Learn more about Gardens on Glen by visiting their website and social media!