Agritourism

Appleberry Orchard barn in southeast Iowa
Dairy cows in a southeast Iowa pasture at sunset. Hinterland Dairy.
Harvestville Farm pumpkins
MAFAB Mississippi River fish catch

Southeast Iowa boasts a rich agritourism history, deeply rooted in its fertile lands and agricultural heritage. The region's landscape is characterized by rolling hills, expansive fields, and lush river valleys, providing the perfect backdrop for agritourism experiences.

Throughout the years, agritourism has thrived in Southeast Iowa, attracting visitors from far and wide to experience the region's agricultural traditions firsthand. From family-owned farms to sprawling orchards and corn fields, there is no shortage of opportunities for visitors to engage with the land and learn about the farming practices that sustain the local economy.

One of the highlights of Southeast Iowa's agritourism scene is its ample farmers' markets and Fort Madison’s Downtown Summer Markets. These bustling venues offer a diverse array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and locally made crafts, providing visitors with the chance to sample the region's bounty while mingling with farmers and producers.

IOWA CORN!

  • An ear of corn always has an even number of rows.

  • On average, an ear of corn has about 800 kernels.

  • An ear or cob of corn is actually part of the flower and an individual kernel is a seed.

  • West Point, Iowa holds it’s annual Sweet Corn Festival every August and offers 18 tons of free steamed sweet corn to it’s visitors.

Did you know….

People shucking corn for the West Point Sweet Corn Festival
Bison in the pasture at Southeast Iowa's Quarry Creek Elk and Bison.

Home, home on the range

Before European settlers arrived, Iowa's landscape was rich with wildlife such as elk and bison. Today, these majestic creatures are rare in the wild, but they once thrived across the state.

The combination of habitat loss, overhunting, and the absence of wildlife protection led to the disappearance of these species from Iowa. As settlers moved west, bison numbers declined sharply due to hunting for their meat and hides, and by the 1860s, sightings had become infrequent.

Elk, often associated with western mountain states, also once roamed Iowa’s prairies in large numbers. Unfortunately, overhunting led to their extirpation by the 1860s.

Today, elk and bison have been reintroduced to Iowa, allowing visitors to see these magnificent animals up close. While they are no longer found here in the wild, you can visit them at places like Quarry Creek Elk & Bison.

FUN FACT: Bison, often called buffalo, are North America's largest land animal and can stand six feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 2,000 pounds.