Story by Erin Bender
Photos by Tuesday Photography
Since we first opened our doors in 2000, Breadroot Co-op has been all about connecting our community through natural and organic foods. As we’ve grown, so has our amazing network of local producers. In 2025, we’re proud to carry products from over 40 local vendors, stretching from the Black Hills to the Eastern Plains of South Dakota.
We think it’s just as important to spotlight these vendors as it is to stock their products. So much of what we do is rooted in cultivating community, and this blog series is one more way to grow that connection. Take a moment to read about the people behind your favorite products — and get familiar with the faces and stories that make our Co-op what it is.
Our first stop in this series took us to Journey Microgreens, tucked into a converted garage just outside Deadwood, S.D. Stepping inside, you’re immediately surrounded by vibrant trays of tiny greens, each inch packed equally with flavor and function. Dan bends over a tray of pea sprouts, carefully snipping them for our tasting, while Toniya guides us through the space, pointing out the different varieties and sharing little stories about each one. The faint hum of grow lights mixes with the earthy freshness that fills the air, creating a surprisingly serene atmosphere.
Dan smiles as he recalls their very early days — just four trays of microgreens and the start of a fun new hobby. That initial fascination quickly turned into a full-blown passion, and today, the Ulmers’ garage hobby has grown into a thriving business, offering dozens of varieties to local chefs and Co-op customers alike. Six years in, with 35 varieties (and counting), the Ulmers are on a mission to build the largest vertical garden in South Dakota. Walking through their space, you can feel their passion in every sprout.
What makes their approach even more inspiring is that both Dan and Toniya came to microgreens through their own health journeys. They discovered how transformative nutrient-dense foods could be, and they wanted to make that experience accessible to everyone. It’s part of why they focus on microgreens — these tiny plants take just 7–10 days to grow from seed to harvest and are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The Ulmers believe everyone in the Black Hills deserves to experience the flavor-packed benefits of microgreens — and they’re constantly growing and expanding to reach new plates. Most recently, they’ve partnered with the Farm to School Program, bringing their greens to Meade County School District (spanning from Piedmont to Sturgis to Whitewood) and the Lead-Deadwood School District to bring their greens to local students.
Dan generously offered us a wide range of samples — from classic greens like kale and broccoli to funkier sprouts like cantaloupe and borage, grown specially for local chefs. Dan snipped greens from every aisle of their operation and piled them on a plate for us to dig in. Each bite packed an almost unbelievable flavor, nearly identical to the taste of the plant’s full-grown counterpart. You don’t expect a tiny sprout to explode with flavor the way a slice of summer melon does, but that’s part of the magic of microgreens. After tasting our way through the samples, we were left with that unmistakable good-food feeling — the kind that only truly nutrient-dense foods can provide.
But taste isn’t the only magic manifesting here. Dan and Toniya shared the incredible health benefits microgreens hold. This fascination with functionality is what drew them both to this world. As they put it, “Microgreens are more than just a garnish—they’re one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to add serious nutrition to your everyday meals.” These tiny greens pack a big punch — they’re nutrient-dense and often contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than their mature counterparts. The Ulmers have a genuine passion for healthy living and want to share that with every customer. If you happen to catch them in the store or at an event in the Hills, they’re always happy to chat about microgreens.
If you ever think a little sprout can’t make a big impact, throw a pack of Journey Microgreens in your cart at the Co-op; they’re sure to change your mind.
