The Best Farm Shop in Iowa is Right Here in the Corridor

According to an article from Love Food, the very best farm shop in the state of Iowa is only a short drive from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City! It's a place called Kroul Farms, and it's located off of Hwy 1 in Mount Vernon.

Kroul Farms got its start back in 1946 with Howard and Elizabeth Kroul. The couple and their five children used the farm to raise cattle, pigs, corn, and soybeans. Cut to 2024, and the farm is run by Lizzy and Howard’s son, John, and his wife Kaylene. The website reads:

"...John, and his wife Kaylene, have transformed that farm into a modern marketplace for seasonal produce. They still raise the same traditional Iowa crops and animals as Howard and Lizzy did all those years ago, but have evolved their practices to fit today’s modern, health-conscious consumer. The Kroul family prides themselves on practicing sustainable farming methods, like utilizing cover crops and natural fertilizers."

The Kroul farm store offers a variety of their own products, such as seasonal produce, meat, flowers, firewood, and fresh eggs, but they also carry items from other local farms and businesses. That includes dairy products from Dan & Debbie's Creamery in Ely, honey from Ebert Honey in Lynnville, and preserves from Yoder's Kitchen in Kalona.

Another cool thing about Kroul Farms is that guests are welcome to explore the farm for free. The website says that their goal is to use the working farm as an educational tool for families. The grounds at Kroul Farms are open daily from April through December, with special, festive activities in the fall.

Kroul Farms is currently open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the latest updates, you can follow the official Facebook page HERE.