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Preppin Mama is an emerging homesteading hub and general store located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Currently operating as a home business offering freeze-dried foods, stuffed cookies, and preparedness goods, we are expanding into a full-scale brick-and-mortar location on Main Street, which is under renovation. Our new storefront will be more than just a place to shop—it will be a retail space, an educational center, and a community gathering spot rooted in the values of self-reliance, sustainability, and supporting local.
At Preppin Mama, we offer high-quality tools, shelf-stable foods, home goods, and locally sourced products. A unique museum-style display will showcase vintage tools and lost trades, preserving the wisdom of past generations. Our classroom space will host workshops on essential skills like canning, sewing, soap-making, and other practical skills to help you live more sustainably.
Community is at the core of everything we do. We’re excited to collaborate with area makers, artisans, and homesteaders, providing a space to showcase their goods, lead workshops, and share their expertise. Preppin Mama is a place for people to come together, learn, and grow stronger as individuals and as a community.
Meet Preppin Mama
Hey there, I’m Dani—the face (and spirit!) behind Preppin Mama. I’m not just a business owner; I’m an aspiring homesteader, learning as I go and loving every minute of it! I may not have a green thumb just yet (gardening is still on my to-do list!), but I’m diving in headfirst and soaking up everything I can. Every new skill I pick up—whether it’s baking, preserving food, or experimenting with freeze-drying—feels like a fun, exciting adventure, and I’m thrilled to bring you along for the ride!
In 2020, when the world was changing, I decided to take a leap into homesteading with my daughter by my side. What started as a little family baking project turned into a full-blown passion. We began crafting our signature s’more cookies with wholesome, real ingredients (think unbleached flour, organic sugars, and fresh farm eggs), and before we knew it, people were lining up for our sweet creations.
And then came the freeze-dryer. My husband and I made the decision to bring one into our kitchen, and let me tell you—game changer! It opened up a whole new world for us, from freeze-drying fruits and vegetables to making candies and stuffed cookies. With a little creativity and a lot of trial and error, Preppin Mama came to life.
This whole journey has been a blast—challenging, yes, but so incredibly rewarding. And the best part? I get to share it with my amazing family. My husband builds everything I dream up, and Tatum (my Little Mama) is always right there with me, keeping things fun and lighthearted. I feel so blessed to have their support as we turn this dream into a reality, one fun, messy, and wonderful step at a time.
Meet Little Mama
Tatum, lovingly known as “Little Mama,” is my right-hand girl and the heart of our homesteading journey. Full of energy, joy, and creativity, she’s always excited to jump in and help—whether it’s baking with me, prepping recipes, or doting on our cheerful hens.
Tatum is especially passionate about nutrition and is already dreaming big—she’s working toward opening her very own juice bar inside our emerging Hub! She loves experimenting with flavors, learning about the benefits of whole foods, and finding fun, tasty ways to fuel the body with goodness.
Though petite in size, she’s a powerhouse. From hauling feed and flour to setting up for events and molding chocolates, Tatum keeps things running smoothly. Her connection with our customers is something special—she remembers names, notices favorites, and is especially beloved by our youngest patrons.
Tatum’s heart is as big as her smile, and her excitement for this journey is absolutely contagious. She brings sunshine to everything she touches and keeps us grounded in joy and purpose every step of the way.
How it Started
In 2023, we returned to Southeast Iowa and founded Preppin Mama, LLC, and since then, we’ve been on an exciting journey of growth and learning. We’re building a homestead with animals, gardens, and greenhouses—but gardening, like many other skills, is still on my to-learn list!
The spark for this journey started in 2020 when our family shifted focus to baking, food preservation, and learning sustainable living practices. Our s’more cookies, made with real, wholesome ingredients, became a hit. Soon, requests started pouring in.
At the same time, my husband and I invested in a freeze-dryer, which opened up a world of possibilities for preserving food. From freeze-dried fruits and candies to gourmet stuffed cookies, we began offering an expanding variety of products, and Preppin Mama was born.
This journey has been a dream come true, and I’m so grateful to share it with my family. Tatum and I work side by side, and my husband’s unwavering support and skills have turned every idea into reality. As we continue to grow, we are thankful for the community that has embraced us along the way.
Why We’re Building the Hub
Over the last couple of years, we’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredibly talented makers, homesteaders, and passionate folks who are keeping traditional skills alive. At the same time, we’ve seen a deep longing from our customers—for local goods they can trust, for food security and sufficiency, and for the know-how to preserve, make, and master the skills that have nearly disappeared in just two short generations.
This is exactly where The Hub comes in.
The Hub will be more than just a store—it will be a place of learning, connection, and empowerment. A place where the old ways and the new ways meet. Where people can walk in and feel the heartbeat of a self-reliant community, discover tools and products made with intention, and attend classes that revive lost arts like fermenting, canning, soap-making, mending, and milling.
We want to create a space where people can not only buy from local producers, but also become producers themselves—confident in their skills, proud of their knowledge, and connected to a wider movement of sustainability and resilience. Our goal is to strengthen the roots of our community so we can all grow stronger together.
Our Mission
Our Mission
At Preppin Mama, our mission is to reignite the spirit of self-reliance by creating a vibrant, local hub where heritage skills, nourishing food, and community connection come together.
We believe that natural is better, and that the path to a resilient future starts with reclaiming the wisdom of the past. Through clean, locally sourced foods and time-tested tools, we equip individuals and families to take ownership of their food, their homes, and their health.
Rooted in the idea that food and skills were always meant to be passed down, our philosophy of “learning by doing” fuels every workshop, every product, and every conversation at the Hub. Whether it’s canning your first batch of garden-fresh tomatoes, grinding your own flour, or mastering the art of herbal remedies, we’re here to help you build confidence step by step.
Together, we’re cultivating a community that values sustainability, celebrates the handmade, and empowers each person to live more intentionally. One skill, one meal, and one neighbor at a time.
Accomplishments & Acclaim
We remain deeply thankful to all those who have offered love and support as we pursue our dream.
Women of Business 2023
Mother-daughter duo dare to dream
Southeast Iowa Union
HILLSBORO — From a disconnected place away from home Dani Murphy and her daughter Tatum Kane began baking and freeze-drying their way into a business where they see God provides everything… CLICK TO READ MORE