Ronnigers Organics

Moyie Springs, Idaho

By Terri Schmidt, Co-op volunteer writer

In 2009, Marqui arrived at the far northeast corner of Idaho in Moyie Springs - just a few miles from Canada and Montana, to work as an intern on Ronniger’s potato farm. She had studied Environmentalism and Ecology in school and wanted to learn what a real farm was like, experiencing the full season from seed to plant. Growing organically was important to her. She loved the experience. She also came to love the farmer’s son, Simon Ronniger. They ended up getting married and little by little took over the farm from Simon’s Dad, David.

David Ronniger was a mentor to Simon and became Marqui’s teacher too. David started the first organic food store in Salt Lake City in 1971 prior to coming to Moyie Springs, where he farmed for decades. He was a legend in his time, being the first farmer to plant organic seed potatoes. Idaho farmers had grown only one type of potato, and David introduced over 200 varieties of certified organic seed potatoes. He was also the second largest breeder of Haflinger horses in the USA. David ‘retired’ to Montana in 2011 and started the Camas Health Food store and restaurant. Sadly, he passed away in 2017.

Simon and Marqui are continuing David’s diligence. The Ronniger’s farm is certified organic, a process that takes extra time and money, but has earned the trust of their customers. Marqui said, “Organic certification is integral to our business model. The process of being an organic and local and an accessible farm go hand in hand.” She said it’s important to protect the land. They are proud to provide good safe food for their customers while also keeping the soil healthy.

Ronnigers Organics main focus is storage crops – potatoes, carrots, parsnips, winter squash, and beets, and cabbage. They also grow other produce to supply their farmer’s market booth in Sandpoint, including lettuce, snap peas, kale, chard, raspberries and strawberries. The farm has a heated hoop house where they grow produce into the cold months and plant seeds beginning in February. The couple grows over 100,000 pounds of produce a year, and use a huge concrete root cellar to store fresh root crops through the winter.

The Ronnigers sell to a variety of places including the Moscow Food Co-op, Super One, and Winter Ridge Natural Foods in Sandpoint, Pilgrims in Coeur d’Alene, Linc Foods in Spokane, and Western Montana Food Co-op, in Missoula. Simon or a hired driver deliver the produce in their van. They are in the process of purchasing a box truck, which will increase the amount of produce they can haul. A farm store on their property allows local customers to drop by and purchase produce.

Simon and Marqui have two sons, 10-year-old Strummer, and 7-year-old Shepard, who love living on the farm. In summer they run through the fields picking raspberries and peas and “eating so many carrots!” They are getting old enough help with harvesting. The farm hosted a fun field trip for their son’s fourth grade class, allowing the students to learn first hand about where their food comes from. Marqui and Simon take a little time off from weeding during the summer months to go swimming with their sons in the river and hiking to a local waterfall. The family also enjoys skiing in the winter months.

To learn more about Ronnigers Organics, check out their website: www.ronnigersorganics.com