QC 12-Year-Old Grows Backyard Garden Into Produce Business
Jaxon Songer started J’s Produce with a small table in his driveway and now has bigger plans for his growing business.
By Wafaa Ezzat | Published: Aug. 31, 2026 at 12:54 AM GMT+2 | Updated: 4 hours ago
What began as a small fold-out table in a Davenport driveway has blossomed into a thriving business for 12-year-old Jaxon Songer.
Songer, a student at Wood Middle School, has been tending to plants since early childhood.
"I was doing gardening when I was, what was it, three, two years old?" Songer shared.
About three years ago, he transformed his hobby into a money-making venture.
"I just felt like I needed money and then I had a little fold-out white table and started the garden again...upgraded to my old stand, then another one, and then this one," Songer recalled.
Today, J’s Produce offers an array of fresh produce including tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, squash, eggs, watermelon, sweet corn, and more.
Most of the vegetables are grown in his family's backyard with their support, while his sweet corn and watermelon come from Muscatine.
Running a business requires hard work, even during scorching summer days.
"Going out 100 degrees and picking sweet corn... Dad knows all about that," Songer laughed.
His dedication has allowed him to enjoy some of his earnings – he recently treated himself to a small electric motorcycle.
He's also found inspiration in local produce entrepreneur Cory Carter, who has expanded his business to multiple stands area-wide.
While they've become friends, Songer aims to surpass Carter's success. His ultimate dream, however, extends beyond J’s Produce.
"My biggest dream is building a big farmhouse and just moving my family in...helping them out too," he said with enthusiasm.
With Songer back in school, J’s Produce operates on weekends at the BP near 53rd and Pine streets in Davenport.