Many of the work ethics and life philosophies found in northeast Iowa’s farming communities today can be traced to their farming ancestors, the pioneers. If ever there was a set of circumstances to develop a person’s character and stamina, it was tilling virgin land and surviving the harsh extremes in weather on the prairie. Add to this the fact that pioneers were far from the nearest town, and it becomes quickly apparent why frugality and ingenuity were staples of pioneer character, and why those traits are still found in today’s farmers. While many settlers from diverse backgrounds adopted a Midwestern culture upon moving to Iowa, the region boasts a colorful heritage that is alive today, including influences from Germany, Norway, the Czech republic and Slovakia.
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