LT Organic Farm Offers Food, Recipes, Guidance to Improve Customers' Lives

LT Organic Farm may look like a traditional Iowa farm from the road, but it offers the latest in organic food, nutritional advice, and healthy cooking classes.

Started in 2000 after the owner/operators moved to Waukee from Chicago, LT Organic Farm is part of the Community Supported Agriculture movement. CSA members pay a yearly fee and receive weekly produce baskets of seasonal foods from the farmers in return.

LT has been operating under a purely organic philosophy since owners L.T. Bhramdat and his wife, Ahilia, brought their ideas on healthy living to Iowa, straight from the medical clinics of Chicago.

“We saw so many people suffering and dying in Chicago and witnessed the destruction that people in this country have done to their own bodies," L.T. Bhramdat said. "We felt compelled to move our children to a place where we could raise them in the best health possible, and start giving back to our community with our knowledge.”

In addition to the standard weekly organic produce a customer receives with a one-year membership, LT also offers preventative medicine counseling plus weekly classes on how to prepare nutritious meals with the items provided that week.

Just want to relax and enjoy a good healthy meal? The family also operates an organic restaurant in their barn, serving both vegetarian and meat-based dishes.

The primary goal of LT Organic Farm is optimizing health and reducing chronic or degenerative diseases through organic foods. “Proper eating and education on what we put in our bodies is the most important part of our business. It was our reason for becoming farmers,” Ahilia said.

L.T., a former practicing cardio-pulmonary specialist, speaks at many forums and brings a wealth of experience treating the sick. Ahilia, a registered nurse, teaches cooking and nutrition courses twice a day at their restaurant.

First-year member Angie Bower travels from Des Moines each week to gather her food, learn new recipes, and brings her two children along with her. 

“I’ve been interested in eating healthy most of my adult life, and have recently been learning about the benefits of eating organically," she said. "L.T. and Ahilia have really challenged my thinking on many ideas I had about living well, which has caused me to do more research to find out what is best for my family.”

Membership registration begins in late fall for the upcoming season, and residents are encouraged to visit the farm to sign up.

LT Organic Farm and Preventative Medicine Clinic is located at 32513 Ute Ave., just north of the Waukee exit on I-80. Restaurant hours are typically during regular times each day of the week, but customers are encouraged to call ahead to ensure there is availability. The phone number is (515) 987-3561.