Sunday, October 6^th from 11:00 am – 5:00pm

Eight independent family farm operations, all within an easy drive of each other in south-central Iowa,
are jointly hosting open houses. Enjoy a leisurely autumn day “crawling” from farm to farm
(Okay, you don't actually crawl, you drive yourself between farms).

Come visit south Marion County/north Lucas County (one hour south of Des Moines)
to see each of our individual operations. Tour the farms, visit the animals, meet the farmers,
see demonstrations, sample the goodies, purchase locally grown & produced products,
and have lots of fun in the beautiful Iowa countryside! Visit special guest vendors at many of the farms.
FREE admission onto all of the farms (there is a charge to enter the corn-maze at Dan-D Farm).

NO PETS - for the safety of our farm animals and guests, please leave your animals at home.

The eight farms include: Blue Gate Farm, Coyote Run Farm, Crooked Gap Farm, Dan-D Farms,
Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch, Reichert’s Dairy Air, Schneider Orchards, White Breast Pottery and Weaving
(click on a farm name for more information on that individual farm)

Special thanks to our sponsor: Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI).

Blue Gate Farm (Jill Beebout & Sean Skeehan)

Certified Naturally Grown, chemical-free produce, pastured eggs, and honey bees servicing our CSA and markets. Sample homemade preserves & honey; guided tours of the farm and season-extending high tunnels; take home some of our farm-fresh products.

Herb Lemonade and homemade cookies available.
www.bluegatefarmfresh.com

2012 Special Guests:
- Glorybe Photo Cards from Columbia, IA with beautiful nature and farm pictures.
- Peace Tree Brewing Co. from Knoxville, IA will be sampling some of their handcrafted beers and offering bottled root beer to take home - www.peacetreebrewing.com
- Aunt Louise's Cinnamon Rolls from Russell, IA. This is Jill's actual Aunt who makes big and wonderful cinnamon roles - come early before they sell out!
- Still Waters Fiber Farm from Pleasantville, IA, demonstrating fiber spinning from rabbit fur.

Coyote Run Farm (Matt Russell & Patrick Standley)

A 110 acre farm being rebuilt to profitability through relational marketing and sustainable agriculture that grows chemical-free produce & cut flowers, pastured poultry & eggs, hormone-free/grass-fed and grain-fed beef, hay, and mules. Self-tour the farm and high tunnel.

Complimentary borscht and dessert served throughout the day.
www.coyote-run-farm.com

2012 Special Guests:
- live music by Matthew Jonn

Crooked Gap Farm (Ethan & Rebecca Book)

A good representation of contemporary homesteading, the Books started their farm on an empty 40 acre piece that had been fallow fields and timber for many years. They built a house and outbuildings and now raise heritage and rare breed animals including woodlot pigs, grass-fed cattle, pastured lambs, pastured rabbit, pastured broilers and laying hens. Ethan and Rebecca also keep a large household garden and fruit plantings. They will be taking reservations for whole/half hogs and will have their meat available to purchase so bring your cooler.

2012: Blacksmith and threshing demonstrations throughout the day.
www.crookedgapfarm.com

Dan-D Farms (Dan Dennison)

20 acre corn maze, racing pigs, barn yard animals, hay rides, giant slide, pick-your-own pumpkin, and much more.

During Farm Crawl the barn yard area is free, admission is charged for the maze. Refreshments available.
www.dandfarms.com

2012 Special Guest:
- Wee Bee Apiary and Farm from Knoxville, IA will be sampling and selling their honey and bees wax products - www.weebeeapiary.com

Pierce's Pumpkin Patch (John & Joy Pierce)

Thousands of different pumpkins, squashes, gourds, decorative corn and a shop full of Halloween celebration décor.

Brisket and pork sandwiches, jumbo hotdogs and all the fixing available.
Pierce's Pumpkin Patch on FaceBook

Reichert’s Dairy Air (Lois & Jack Reichert)

A small goat herd, micro-dairy with custom built milking barn and cheese-making studio. Sample some of the several varieties of delicious, award-winning, artisan cheeses and see the goat herd.
www.reichertsdairyair.com

2012 Special Guests:
- Grape Escape Vineyard & Winery from Pleasantville, IA offering samples and sales of their wines - www.grapeescapeiowa.com
- The Stamps Family Farm from Chariton, IA offering sales of pastured pork - www.stampsfamilyfarm.com

Schneider Orchard (Arnie & Jane Schneider)

Stroll through orchard; tractor wagon rides for the kids; Chariton FFA will be doing games and activities for the kids. Rope making demonstrations. Something for everyone!

Homemade fresh fruit pie ala-mode, apple crisp, and caramel apples available.
www.schneiderorchard.com

2012 Special Guests:
- Pipers Candies from Chariton, IA with special treats - www.piperscandy.com

White Breast Pottery and Weaving (Sharon Seuferer & Carol Oliver)

Visitors can see how local clays, from beneath the waters of White Breast Creek, are used in making pieces that reflect the area. View the beautiful loom-woven rugs made onsight. Visit a herd of miniature horses.

Pottery, broom-making and loom demonstrations. Live music. Refreshments available.
www.whitebreastpottery.com

2012 Special Guests:
- Maryls Sowers, basket weaving.

Sunday, October 6th from 11:00 am – 5:00pm

Eight independent family farm operations, all within an easy drive of each other in south-central Iowa, are jointly hosting open houses. Enjoy a leisurely autumn day “crawling” from farm to farm (Okay, you don't actually crawl, you drive yourself between farms).