By Linda Schreiber

Retirement gave Jeff Disterhoft time to consider how he wanted to spend his next chapter. 

Passing the Lacina berry farm near Oxford inspired an idea: what if unused land could help feed people experiencing hunger?

Disterhoft approached farm owner Dave Lacina about using an acre or more to grow food for those in need. As food insecurity continues to rise in Iowa, Dave agreed, and Fields of Faith became a reality.

The need is significant. According to the Food Bank of Iowa, 12 percent of Iowans – more than 385,000 people – experience hunger, including 16.6 percent of children (roughly 120,220). Every county in Iowa has seen an increase in food insecurity.

Volunteers. To help meet that need, Disterhoft invites Master Gardeners and volunteers from service organizations to lend a hand with planting, fertilizing, pruning, and other gardening tasks to keep the gardens productive and healthy. He is grateful area faith groups have partnered to support the effort.

^{Members of the University of Iowa women’s golf team on April 21, 2026, traded in their clubs and carts for shovels and tractor rides to help Fields of Faith prepare the fields for the growing season. (Photos courtesy of Jeff Disterhoft)}

Impact. The work is making a difference. In the last two years, Fields of Faith has donated 29,000 pounds of fresh produce – the equivalent of 73,000 meals – to food pantries and faith-based organizations.

Such growth continues this season. The garden added 180 apple trees this spring, and the young orchard is already showing new growth. An additional 9/10 of an acre of tillable ground expanded the vegetable garden, nearly doubling its size.

Partnerships. This spring, members of the University of Iowa women’s golf team helped plant spinach, lettuce, potatoes, sweet corn, and other crops. Disterhoft and Lacina also installed plastic between the rows and irrigation lines to support production.

Not every experiment is successful. A new process using potting soil to start plants did not perform as expected. The upside, says Disterhoft, is there will be more room for summer crops. 

By the end of May, Fields of Faith expects to have 1,000 tomato and pepper plants in the ground, along with cucumbers and zucchini started in the greenhouse.

“Service brings people together, and food opens the door to those relationships,” Disterhoft said. 

Volunteers help Fields of Faith continue growing food while strengthening community connections.

Action. To learn more about volunteering, visit fofiowa.org or email info@fofiowa.org.