From Dry Skin Solution to Thriving Business: The Story of Farm & Three

How a Texas Transplant Found Success Making Natural Tallow-Based Skin Care Products in Rural Iowa

Leslie Assman never expected to sell nearly a thousand jars of skin care products when she first started making tallow cream in her kitchen. What began as a remedy for her young son's severely dry skin has quickly grown into Farm & Three, a thriving business offering natural, tallow-based skin care alternatives throughout western Iowa and beyond.

A Solution Born from Necessity

"I first made it in October for my youngest because he has super dry skin and any lotion I've ever used for him burns his skin," Leslie explains. After seeing tallow-based skin care trending on social media, she decided to give it a try. "My first batch wasn't the greatest, but it still worked. I knew what I did wrong."

The results were immediate and dramatic. Her son's chronically dry skin improved significantly, and her husband was so impressed he encouraged her to make more and sell it. In November 2024, Leslie took her first batch to a holiday shopping event in Avoca, Iowa.

"I sold like 20 of them, so I was like, okay," she recalls with a laugh. That modest beginning quickly expanded, and within just a few months, Farm & Three products were available in eight stores across western Iowa. Even more impressive, Leslie sold over 800 jars of her tallow cream before her website even launched.

Back to Basics: The Power of Tallow

Farm & Three's flagship product is its tallow cream—a whipped, fluffy moisturizer made from rendered beef fat, jojoba oil, and essential oils. Unlike conventional lotions that contain water and chemical emulsifiers, Leslie's cream is all-natural and remarkably effective.

"I think people are looking for an alternative to regular lotions," Leslie says. "There's a big push to be more natural, and it's just been really good."

The products' effectiveness speaks for itself, with customers repeatedly sharing success stories. "I've had lots of people tell me it's helped my hands, my face—especially because it was just so dry," she notes. One friend who makes sourdough bread found it helped her "sourdough hands," which had become painfully dry and rash-like from frequent bread making. Another pregnant friend used it on stretch marks: "They're still there but they're not like angry and red and painful looking; they've calmed down."

Beyond the tallow cream, Farm & Three also offers lip balm made with tallow, jojoba oil, beeswax, and essential oils. Leslie recently added handmade soap to her product line, which her family has enthusiastically adopted. "My boys don't even use shampoo or anything anymore. They use the soap to wash their hair," she shares. "I don't think we'll ever go back to buying soap."

The Science Behind the Success

For those wondering why tallow works so well on skin, Leslie explains that tallow is remarkably similar to our skin's natural oils, which allows it to penetrate deeply and last longer than most lotions. The substance contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, providing antioxidant benefits that fight aging. Vitamin E can stimulate blood flow to the skin, which increases collagen production.

Tallow also offers anti-inflammatory properties through vitamins E, D, and K, and possesses anti-microbial properties that can help stop the spread of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Despite being oil-based, it won't clog pores if used appropriately.

A common misconception? "It doesn't smell like meat," Leslie laughs. "People think it's going to smell like a cheeseburger, but it doesn't."

A Growing Product Line with Community Roots

What makes Farm & Three special isn't just the effectiveness of its products—it's the local connection. Leslie sources her beef fat from Arcadia Meats, where her family has their meat processed. "Everything is basically local, minus the supplies I have to order," she explains.

This local emphasis resonates with customers who appreciate supporting small businesses with local ties. Farm & Three products are now available in stores throughout Harlan, Dunlap, Manning, Council Bluffs, Onawa, Pisgah, Walnut, and soon Storm Lake.

Leslie offers her products in various scents, with frankincense, lavender, and lemon being the most popular. She also creates specialty scents like vanilla bean (infused with real vanilla beans for eight hours) and coffee (infused with ground coffee, which provides the added benefit of caffeine for the skin).

While many similar products on the market command premium prices, Leslie intentionally keeps her prices accessible. "I only charge $18 for a four-ounce jar, and I know people that have been paying $50 for a two-ounce jar," she says. "I just don't want to be the most expensive person. I want everybody to be able to buy it."

Looking Ahead: Expansion and Innovation

Leslie isn't resting on her initial success. She's currently developing a "sun cream"—a natural alternative to conventional sunscreen using non-nano zinc oxide, tallow, coconut oil, and beeswax. For summer, she's planning citrusy cream varieties and a lemongrass and citronella formula that will double as an insect repellent.

The business is expanding beyond her kitchen table—she's moved operations to a former office space and has equipment in the basement, including a pneumatic jar filler that has been a "game-changer" compared to filling jars by hand with a spoon. Plans are underway to build a dedicated outbuilding on their farm property to house production.

Leslie also envisions hosting small classes where people can learn to make their own tallow products. "I think it's a good skill to know how to make soap and lotion," she says. While her husband notes the process takes dedication, Leslie sees this as an opportunity to share her passion with others who appreciate handcrafted skincare. These workshops would allow participants to experience firsthand the satisfaction of creating natural products tailored to their needs.

Fostering a Natural Skincare Movement

As Farm & Three continues to grow, Leslie remains committed to her founding principles—creating effective, accessible skincare products that harken back to traditional wisdom. What started as a mother's solution for her child's dry skin has blossomed into a business that's changing how people think about skincare across western Iowa.

"I love creating these products, but what I like the most is that it truly helps people," Leslie says. Her kitchen-table enterprise has become more than just a business; it's a reminder that sometimes the most effective solutions aren't found in complex formulations but in returning to what worked for generations before us.

With each jar of tallow cream whipped in her kitchen and each bar of soap carefully crafted and cured, Leslie isn't just building a business—she's fostering a movement toward more natural, sustainable personal care. As Farm & Three continues to expand its product line and reach, Leslie's genuine approach and commitment to quality ensure that this small Iowa business will continue making a big impact on the skin—and lives—of its growing customer base.

Visit Farm & Three products at Floral Elegance in Harlan, Holistic Health in Manning, Common Grounds in Dunlap, The Furniture Girl Marketplace in Council Bluffs, massage therapists in Pisgah and Onawa, and Frosting Ink in Walnut. Shop online at www.farmandthree.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram for new product announcements and availability updates.