Creating the kind of community we want to live in

There's a side of our farm that I don't usually give updates on as it isn't theoretically "farming." But it is something that means a lot to both Beth and me. It's the events we hold in the barn, we affectionately call Whippoorwill School.

Me, talking to the crowd at our Peru to Iowa Dinner in our Barn.

Just this last Saturday, we had our first farm to table dinner of the season with Chef Mariela Maya.  She produced a fantastic Peruvian five course meal made with meat and produce from Iowa--the vast majority of which came from our own farm.

Chef Mariela Maya and her assistant Valeria

Thirty lucky guests feasted for nearly 3 hours; some of them even showed up for a quick--and hot-- tour with the farm's cow herd. To top it all off, Mariella's husband, Carlos, played Peruvian, Italian and French music on accordion for most of the meal, providing even more ambiance than our refurbished 1870's barn has on its own.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/47835b_0837f183afcc40fb8e7205d98fee0d59/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Carlos plays the accordian to a lively crowd of eaters

We also recently held a Pasta-making class, and will have another one coming up fast on August 22nd. 13 excited students made fresh pappardelle, fettuccine, capellini and ravioli.  We finished the class with a meal made by our own hands--people coming together to learn new things, meet new people and share memories, thoughts, food and affection.

It takes a village to make a long noodle!

These events are as important to us as raising cattle and goats because we bring people together in this divisive time.  We want to help create the kind of community we want to live in and work to build it little by little with every event we host, every meal we cook, every lesson we teach.

A visitor from Minneapolis who came to the farm for the dinner and spent the night put it this way:

Happy diners taking pictures of all the food

"The dinner was an intimate way to get to know people while doing things we all love. I crave great food and real connection with our fellow human beings. This event satisfied both cravings."

We have more events lined up for the late summer and fall! We hope you will consider joining us too!

~John Hogeland, Whippoorwill Creek Farm and School

Classes and Events

• August 22--Pasta II: Color and Shapes. No experience necessary! Food enthusiasts, home cooks, and anyone inspired by pasta and fresh ingredients will enjoy this class.

  
  

• September 12--Songwriters Retreat. This retreat offers songwriters of all experience levels the opportunity to hone one’s craft in a dedicated time and space rarely afforded by the demands of our daily lives.

  
  

• September 19--Mexico on the Farm. This Harvest Celebration will highlight the talents of Chef Mora and the delicious grass-finished beef, goat, and vegetables we grow on Whippoorwill Creek Farm.  

  
  

• And many more! You can find the listing for all the classes on our website.