J40 FARM CRAWL 2014 - July 26, 2014

Keosauqua – The J40 Farm Crawl returns for the 6^th Annual celebration of all things local on July 26.  The J40 Farm Crawl showcases ten businesses ranging from family farms to local artisans and crafters.  Highlights include: an Amish school benefit breakfast and bake sale, special discounts at the participating stores and shops, farm tours, and demonstrations by the local crafters and artists.

 

The farm tours feature horse-drawn wagon rides at Lengacher’s Greenhouse, wood-fired clay oven bread baking and garden tours at Bloom and Bark Farm and cheese tasting at the internationally renowned Milton Creamery.  LB Construction will be serving grilled hot dogs and homemade pie, while touring their unique barn with living quarters.  Crane Winery will be sampling their delicious sweet wines at Bloom and Bark Farm. The Troy Academy, the first institution of higher education west of the Mississippi will be open for guided tours.

 

Featured artists along the farm crawl include Bob Norman, the only formally trained conservator in the state of Iowa.  Bob’s studio and gallery are open at the Pittsburg General Store.  Villages Folk School’s George Crawford will be at Bloom and Bark Farm to hand make brooms using broom corn while wife Pat Crawford demonstrates natural fiber dyeing, along with several other demonstrating artists.  Other attractions of the farm crawl include door prizes, discounts on poly outdoor and beautiful hand-crafted furniture at Yoder’s Indian Creek Furniture along with homemade ice cream.  “Exploring the farms and businesses along J40 is a great way to see how family farms and family businesses are finding their niche in the Iowa rural landscape,” says Kim Steele-Blair, proprietress of Bloom and Bark Farm and main organizer for the event.

 

The J40 Farm Crawl begins Saturday, July 26 at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m., with the Amish School Breakfast served from 8:00 a.m. – 12 noon (free-will donation). The Farm Crawl is a fabulous opportunity to share summer family fun along Iowa’s Historic Hills Scenic Byway and celebrate the local businesses that add vibrancy to the Iowa landscape.  Maps and brochures can be downloaded at www.villagesofvanburen.com, check out our J40 Farm Crawl Facebook page, or contact Kim Steele-Blair at bloomandbark@netins.net or (319)293-6168.