The UNI Local Food Program and Iowa State University Extension & Outreach are hosting the 2019 Farm Crawl on September 29th noon-5 p.m. Free admission and no registration required. On this day you have the opportunity to visit up to six farms and learn how local farmers grow your food and manage their farms. The more farms you visit the more chances to win great local food prizes! You provide your own transportation and visit the farms at your own pace. Each farm will have different activities and many of them have local foods for purchase. A printable farm crawl guide with a map is available at ceee.uni.edu/localfood. There will be activities for all ages but please leave your pets at home.
Beck Orchards in Buckingham will have walking tours of the farmstead that will include information about the apple trees (25 varieties), vegetables, perennial flower beds, meat goats, and their bee hives. Learn how and why they started an apiary. Fresh apple cider will be available and you can purchase apples in the repurposed red barn.
FITKIN Popcorn, the producers of FIT-POP, is part of a fourth-generation family farm near Cedar Falls. The popcorn is grown using sustainable practices, and the kitchen is licensed by the state. Jim Fitkin will answer all your questions about growing and storing popcorn. Check out the popcorn bar and enter to win a giant FIT-POP CUBE. Kids activities.
Hanson’s Hollow in La Porte City is a family-friendly destination for fall produce and farm fun. They grow more than 100 varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squash and also offer a petting zoo, playground and fall-inspired family photo settings. Burgers grilled by the Benton County Cattlemen will be available for purchase. There will be recipe samples using our fall produce, as well as childrens’ games.
MBS Family Farms in Plainfield is a fifth-generation family farm producing corn primarily for ethanol and soybeans primarily for seed. Land stewardship has always been our focus, and being a preferred employer in our local area is very important to them. There will be guided tours, both walking and in our “party” bus. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.
OneRoot in Lamont is a new one-acre market garden producing unique vegetables and flowers. They grow veggies without the use of any synthetic chemicals or fertilizer. Fresh, all natural produce direct to the consumer. Garden tours every hour with a tomato tasting at the end! A variety of veggies will be for sale as well as build your-own flower bouquet.
Timeless Prairie is a family-owned and -operated 10 acre high density dwarf apple tree orchard growing 26 different apple varieties using Integrated Pest Management and Good Agricultural Practices. Their orchard has been awarded the Iowa State Fair Premier Exhibitor Award and numerous Blue Ribbons. You can find their apples at Farmers Markets in Cedar Falls (both downtown and College Hill), Des Moines, Independence, Hiawatha, and Iowa City. Each half-hour there will be a walking orchard tour including information about the ISU research project, processing building, and cold storage facilities. Visit the Orchard Market for apple samples and to purchase apples and other goodies.
If you have questions please reach out to unilocalfood@gmail.com.
