IOA Field Day: Jefferson County Farm Crawl

Back by popular demand! Join IOA for our second annual farm crawl in Fairfield, Iowa on Sunday, July 28.

Widely known as a culinary hotspot, Fairfield is a unique community of sustainable farms and businesses that work together to create a vibrant farm-to-table experience. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the best of Fairfield's local organic community.

Stop 1: Radiance Dairy

The day will start with lunch at Radiance Dairy, featuring their farm's renowned dairy products and a delicious catered meal with local and organic ingredients from Fairfield's Taco Dreams. Then, farm owner Francis Thicke will guide a walking tour of Radiance Dairy, showcasing their cattle, unique grazing process, and organic milk, cheese, and yogurt production.

Radiance Dairy Radiance Dairy Taco Dreams lunch

Stop 2: Pickle Creek Herbs

Next, we'll board an air-conditioned motor coach and head to Pickle Creek Herbs, where farm owner Jocelyn Engman will provide a tour of her 100-acre family farm. Jocelyn will showcase her herbs, berries, tomatoes, and garlic, discussing her sustainable practices throughout. We'll have the chance to sample her homemade, herb-infused olive oils, vinegars, soaps, salves, and more.

Pickle Creek Herbs Pickle Creek Herbs Pickle Creek Herbs

Stop 3: Premier 1

Then, we'll travel to Premier 1 where livestock manager Fiona Harrar will provide a tour of their farm and indoor warehouse. Participants will meet their sheep and explore a variety of cutting-edge farm equipment. Premier 1 has three farms where they raise chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, meat goats and horses. Throughout the tour, we'll learn about how they continually test their products on these farms to ensure high-quality results. 

Premier 1 Supplies Premier 1 Supplies Premier 1 Supplies

Stop 4: Blueberry Bottom Farm

We'll then drive up the road to Blueberry Bottom Farm, where farm owner and IOA board member Kim Anderson will give a presentation and farm tour of her organic blueberry and newly incorporated day-neutral strawberry fields.

Blueberry Bottom Farm Blueberry Bottom Farm Blueberry Bottom Farm

Stop 5: Radiance Dairy

This farm crawl adventure will conclude with a return to Radiance Dairy, where we'll enjoy homemade ice cream and berries from Blueberry Bottom Farm.

Meal & Transportation

Farm crawl features a local and organic catered lunch (including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options) and air-conditioned motor coach transportation between farm tours.

  • $60 for IOA members
  • $75 for non-members

Agenda

12:00 - Check in and lunch at Radiance Dairy
12:45 - Welcome and tour of Radiance Dairy
1:30 - Bus Departs
1:45 - Tour of Pickle Creek Herbs 
2:30 - Bus Departs
3:00 - Tour of Premier 1
3:45 - Bus Departs
4:00 - Tour of Blueberry Bottom Farm
4:45 - Bus Departs
5:00 - Return to Radiance Dairy for homemade ice cream

Exhibitors

Email [email protected] if you wish to set up a table at this event.

Funding Acknowledgement

This material is based upon work that is supported by the Risk Management Agency (RMA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the program agreement with the project number 15061 titled "Risk Management Outreach and Education for Beginning, Transitioning and Organic Producers". Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the RMA and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

WHEN
July 28, 2024 at 12:00pm - 5pm
WHERE
Radiance Dairy
1745 Brookville Rd
Fairfield, IA 52556
United States
Google map and directions
CONTACT
Kristi Kasper · · 515-608-8622

Will you come?

$75.00 IOA Non-Member
$60.00 IOA Member