2016 Taste of Northeast Iowa Local Food and Farm Crawl
Event Details
Website: http://www.iowafreshfood.com/site/farmcrawl.html
Event Description
Twelve independent food and farm businesses, all within an easy drive of each other in beautiful northeast Iowa, are jointly hosting open houses. Enjoy a leisurely autumn day “crawling” from farm to farm in this part of the Driftless Region. (Okay, you don’t actually crawl, you drive yourself between farms).
The tours are free and open to families. (Please leave pets at home). Delicious local food products will be available to sample and purchase on site. Click here to download the map and flyer.
Click here for a Google Map of the tour locations.
Iowa Food Hub
124 E Elm St., West Union SATURDAY ONLY
This non-profit local food distribution business focuses on connecting farmers to schools, institutions and grocery stores. Not usually open to the public, visitors are welcome during the Farm Crawl. More.
Country View Dairy
15197 230th StreetI Hawkeye SATURDAY ONLY
www.countryviewdairy.com
At Country View Dairy, they make all natural farmstead yogurt in both Original and Greek style, using the wholesome milk from their family’s own dairy herd. Their state-of-the-art creamery is located right on the family farm, guaranteeing the freshest premium quality products. Their farm store carries a wide variety of other local products. Be sure to grab a cup of premium frozen yogurt soft-serve.
Growing Greener 4-H Greenhouse
12517 220th Street, West Union SUNDAY ONLY
Facebook
A project sponsored by the Iowa Food Hub, the greenhouse is operated by a crew of 4-H members and youth interns. They are learning to grow food and flowers and sell their products direct to consumer and through the food hub.
Gordon’s Gardens
14009 120th Street, Maynard
Gordon Murray-John enjoys raising uncommon vegetables. It is only natural that he started sharing them with everyone else. Gordon is a member of the GROWN Locally cooperative and a regular vendor at the Oelwein and Independence farmers markets. Visitors will see his gardens, high tunnel and packing shed as well as all the uncommon vegetables. More.
Shrimptastic
15916 Lincoln Road, Fayette
Shrimptastic provides locally grown, indoor saltwater pacific white shrimp. Take a peek at the production area. Shrimp should be available for purchase; bring your cooler. More.
Apples on the Avenue
3035 Addison Blvd (Hwy 218), Nashua
http://www.applesontheavenue.com
Apples on the Avenue offers 25 unique apple varieties through U-pick and pre-picked apples, ripening from mid-August through the end of October. This weekend is their Fall Festival, 10 am—6:30 pm. Bring the whole family out for a wagon ride! More.
Hawkeye Buffalo Ranch
3034 Pembroke Ave, Fredericksburg
www.hawkeyebuffalo.com
A small herd of grassfed bison is the highlight on this stop. Tour the farm, store and historic barn. Wagon tours out to the pasture are available at 1 PM, 2 PM and 3 PM for a fee. More.
K&K Gardens
108 E. Wilbur Street, Hawkeye
http://www.kkgardens.com/
K & K Gardens is an innovative retail garden nursery that is also a big supporter of local farmers and artisans. This weekend is their Arts & Crafts Vendor Celebration and will feature local producers of homemade arts, crafts, pottery, photography, local produce, and other specialty items. Saturday 9-4, and Sunday 11-4. More.
Prairie’s Edge Farm
1206 150th Street, Castalia
www.prairiesedgeiowa.com
Enjoy the gorgeous fall weather with a trip to this Century Farm. Come see the sheep and cows on fresh grass, take a hay ride, and check out the hay loft and all the tractors. More.
Empty Nest Winery
1352 Apple Road, Waukon, IA 52172
Family owned and operated, they specialize in handcrafted, small batch, unfiltered pure berry wines. Sample their wines in their new beautiful new facility. Open Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday from 1-5. More.
Peake Orchards
323 N. Line Drive, Waukon, IA 52172
Peake Orchards planted their first trees in the early 1980’s and began selling fruit in 1989. With approx. 1,000 trees and about ten varieties to choose from, they have something for everyone. Visit the farm stand, view the packingshed and take a wagon ride to the orchard. More.
WW Homestead Dairy
850 Rossville Road, Waukon, IA 52172
www.wwhomesteaddairy.com
Two dairy farm families started the creamery to produce a full product line including cream-line milk, cheese curds, block cheeses, butter, and premium ice cream. Even though the processing room is quiet on the weekend, you can take a self-guided tour of how the milk travels from the farm to your refrigerator. Be sure to stop and get cheese curds and an ice cream cone! More.
