Kimberly Ropp - ICT Urban Greens

Kimberly and Bruce Ropp of Wichita might have the tiniest farm in Kansas. Rather than measure it in acres, they measure it in square feet — 110 feet to be exact; 11 feet by 10 feet.

“The person at the Farm Service Agency said we just squeaked by getting it registered as a farm,” says Kimberly “But we can grow 18 pounds of microgreens every eight to nine days. We grew 936 pounds of fresh microgreens for 2025.”

According to the Kansas Foundation for Ag in the Classroom, “Microgreens are young and tender edible greens produced by sprouting the seeds of a variety of vegetable species and herbaceous plants. A few examples of microgreens include sunflowers, radishes, beets, totsoi, mustard, kale, onions, arugula, broccoli and pea shoots.”

            However, they are not to be confused with sprouts, which are seeds germinated by soaking in water then consumed whole with the seedling, radicles and what remains of the seeds.

            “I walked into a grocery store during the pandemic and couldn’t find vegetables anywhere,” Kimberly says. “I went down a rabbit hole researching ways I could grow vegetables in my own home. I live in urban Wichita and don’t have access to land, so I discovered microgreens.”

            Seeing an opportunity to create a revenue stream for her family, Kimberly formed ICT Urban Greens and began looking for customers. 

            “I was like a sitting duck at a farmers market,” she says. “I would take a large harvest and not sell them all. I simply could not afford any waste. So, I found chefs and a few private individuals who ordered in advance. I have the crop sold before I raise it. But that also means I’m committed to a contract to deliver a certain amount on a certain day.

            “Chefs like them because they pack a lot of flavor,” she says. “They make tasty garnishments for eggs, sandwiches, salad toppings, meat dishes and nearly any other food. Depending on the plant, the nutritional value is anywhere from 10 to 40 times that of the mature plant.”

            Over time, she’s had the opportunity to find other spaces to add seasonal crops on raised bed gardens in their yard and on her son’s rental properties.

            Although Kimberly, also known as The Greens Lady, primarily sells wholesale, she’s looking to add retail customers to her business. 

            You can reach Kimberly at:

Phone: (316) 641-4057

[email protected]

https://www.icturbangreens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICTurbangreens

Note: Kimberly is part of our SC HH Woman Farmer and Rancher of the Year series.