Agritourism on the Byways

March 21st marks the 50th anniversary of National Ag Day. The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) and the National Ag Day program were started in 1973. The ACA is composed of leaders in the agriculture, food, and fiber communities dedicated to increasing the public awareness of agriculture's vital role in our society.

ACA believes that every American should:

• Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
• Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
• Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
• Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

National Ag Day kicks off National Ag Week, celebrated in 2023 from the 21st to the 27th of March. The week celebrates and acknowledges the agricultural industry and the role it plays in stabilizing the economy.

Agriculture plays a vital role in western Iowa. Not only is agriculture the engine of western Iowa's economy, it has shaped its landforms, and organized our communities. Western Iowa would not be what it is today without agriculture. Ag's footprint on western Iowa is seen all along its scenic byways: grain silos and semi-trucks full of grain, terraced fields and center pivot irrigation, and even the Loess Hills that were never ploughed because of their steep grade.

There are numerous ways that you can show your support for agriculture in western Iowa, not only on National Ag Day or National Ag Week, but throughout the entire year. Agritourism is increasing in popular and is a great way to support your local agricultural industry.

The National Agricultural Law Center defines agritourism as, "the crossroads of tourism and agriculture. Stated more technically, agritourism can be defined as a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining and/or educating the visitors while generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner."

There are many forms of agritourism: pumpkin picking patches; corn mazes, U-Pick operations, petting and feeding zoos, hay rides, cut-your-own Christmas tree farms;, dude ranches, demonstration farms, agricultural museums, living history farms, on-farm farmers’ markets, winery tours and wine tasting, rural bed & breakfasts, garden tours, and more.

While we could compile a lengthy list of all the agritourism attractions and activities on western Iowa's scenic byways, below is a truncated list of some notable agritourism destinations. If you have any questions about local agriculture and agritourism in western Iowa, send us an email (info@goldenhillsrcd.org).

Local Foods

​Iowans are surrounded by fertile farmland, yet most of the food consumed in the state travels an average of 1,500 miles before landing on a dinner plate. Golden Hills strives to improve the southwest Iowa foodshed by building and maintaining alliances between regional producers and consumers. These alliances are further supported by raising awareness among southwest Iowans about the food that is available in this region.

Golden Hills convenes the Southwest Iowa Food and Farm Initiative (SWIFFI), a multi-county coalition of individuals and organizations within the local food system. Golden Hills provides training, assists in navigating regulations, helps with grant writing, and offers other forms of support. The assistance provided by Golden Hills helps make local food more accessible to those living in southwest Iowa. The benefits of an active and local foodshed are felt by all involved. Revitalization of rural communities by boosting local economic development and improving the health of its citizens are just a few examples of the benefits of an active local foods system.

Golden Hills organizes farmer meet-ups to meet local food producers for networking and socializing. Check the SWIFFI website for upcoming meet-ups and other programs.

​Farmers Markets & Festivals

Golden Hills maintains a Local Food Guide that is available in both English and Spanish. The guide highlights farmers markets, food hubs and local food delivery, and local farms and value-added farm products. Purchasing produce from farmers markets is an excellent way to support local agriculture, as is signing up for CSAs and supporting your local food hubs and food delivery services.

The Woodbine Apple Festival will be held on September 30, 2023. From pies to pastries to slushies to caramel, the last Saturday of every September is dedicated to a festival of everything APPLE! Since 1988, people have traveled the historic Lincoln Highway and the scenic Loess Hills byway to reach Applefest in Woodbine.

Along with apples, the festival hosts one of Iowa’s largest car shows, which has attracted over 350 makes and models from as early as the Model T Ford. There is a craft show, hold an outdoor market, and also support our many local business vendors

Audubon Century Farm Tour

Get out and see real farms that are a century old. The Audubon Century Farm Tour is a self-driving tour of eight of Audubon County's century farms. A brochure, with a map included, is available at the county tourism office (800 Market St, Audubon, IA 50025). Private tours are available upon request.

Ross Grain Elevator

Audubon County is home to one of the oldest wooden elevators in Iowa. The Ross Grain Elevator was built in the 1800s. It is historically significant due to its unique architecture. Most importantly, original grain elevators were instrumental in opening outside commodity markets. This benefited both local citizens and the country as a whole—the Ross elevator helped build Audubon County’s economy!

In 2014, the journey to save this 1881 agricultural icon began. Thanks to contributions from the Iowa Barn Foundation, friends, family, community members, and like-minded preservationists across the United States, the Ross Grain Elevator is saved! 

Shelby County Historical Museum

​The Shelby County Historical Museum​displays Iowa's agricultural, military, and rural history through a variety of interactive exhibits. The museum's exhibits are housed in two buildings and two cabins built in the 1850s.

Wisecup Farm Museum

A family-friendly and fun attraction, The Wisecup Farm Museum will be closed in 2023 due to the untimely and unfortunate passing of Charles Wisecup. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.

The museum is a historical household and farm equipment museum. Outside, over 100 pieces of farm equipment, replicas of a 1800s school house, a 1800s cedar church, a log cabin,  a 1900s gas station, and a free putt-putt golf course. Inside the barns you'll find household antiques, tools, rakes, shovels, wooden corn-shellers and a whole lot more!

Hopefully the museum will continue in honor of Charles and his love of farming and desire to honor the past.

Local Orchards, Fruit Farms, Family Farms, etc.

Trapple Orchard began in 2011 and is located in Little Sioux, Iowa. ​ They have 450 fruit trees and 20 varieties of fruit and produce, including apples (Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Delicious, Granny Smith and others), pears, cherries, plums, apricots, peaches and berries. U-pick operations began in fall 2019.

Trapple also runs Sonshine Orchards, an organized effort dedicated to help provide information, resources and assistance for those that are interested in beginning a community orchard in their local area.

​Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard has expanded to include their own vineyard, wine, pumpkin patch, and a focus on specialty food items that you can’t find anywhere else. Since 1994, Ditmars has been known for their beautifully maintained apple orchard and fun family activities.

Small's Fruit Farm is a 33-acre orchard clinging to the slopes of the Loess Hills that overlooks the Missouri River Valley, 3 miles east of Mondamin. Their season starts with strawberries in June and ends with apples in the fall, with many more fruits and veggies in between. There is also pick-your-own strawberry and pumpkin patches, when available. Stop by for a sample of their cider or enjoy a piece of pie and ice cream in the pie parlor.

​Loess Hills Lavender Farm provides a peaceful experience centered around the mystical and magical herb, lavender. The farm began in 2005 and was purchased by new owners in 2020 after the original owners retired. They open for the 2023 season on April 29th.

One Farm fresh produce and herb seasoning salts are sold weekly at the local farmers market in Harrison County. One Farm produce can be found on menus at many restaurants in Omaha and Des Moines such as Baela Rose, The Boiler Room, Ted & Wally's, and The Cheese Shop, thanks to sales and distribution through Farmtable Procurement & Delivery.

In late 2020 (the farm's 10th anniversary growing season), they opened a seasonal pop-up market at 215 East 7th Street in Logan, Iowa. The community response was overwhelming, and so they continue on with a more permanent and expanded local foods store - One Farm Market.

Sawmill Hollow Family Farm hosts farm bus tours, shopping visits, farming excursions, private and special events including culinary tours and weddings. Call 712-648-2432 to schedule a tour or event. Farm visits are by appointment only October - May. Please view our blog or join our mailing list for more information on upcoming events or email us to arrange your own personalized event. Their largest annual event is the North American Aronia Berry Festival. Over 3,000 enthusiasts visit the farm to enjoy live music, farm fun, and healthy lifestyle workshops.

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The list above is just a sampling of the agritourism attractions and activities in western Iowa. For a more detailed list of farmers markets and local producers and farms, check out our Local Food Guide.