2024 east-central Iowa Egg U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Egg U-Pick Orchards in east-central Iowa in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for eggs that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have eggs orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

New! We just went live with our latest website, FunFactoryTours.com - As they name implies, you can find a fun factory tour, including chocolate, automobiles, historical forts and sites, famous buildings, Active Federal facilities even fun geology: like fossils and volcanic areas

Benton County

• K & K Ranch - Uses natural growing practices, apples, broccoli, carrots, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, kale, melons, peppers, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked
  5488 33rd Ave, Center Point, IA 52213. Phone: (319) 929-3736. Email: Kalebholsinger@yahoo.com. Open: Call ahead. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Venmo. . Alternate Phone: (319) 929-3297. . Get off interstate and head east, take your first right turn at the big rooster. First house on the left. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. (ADDED: January 17, 2021)

Johnson County

• Orchard on Sand Road - No pesticides are used, apples, blueberries, strawberries, Fresh eggs, gift shop, porta-potties
  5888 Sand Road Se, Lone Tree, IA 52755. Phone: (319) 721-1532. Email: centuryfarm1@gmail.com. Directions: From Iowa City, drive south on S. Gilbert Street Sand Road. The farm is approximately 8 miles south of Iowa City. Once you cross a four-way stop and a bridge, look for signs on the left. We do not use pesticides on the . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . UPDATE for 2020, The farm was sold - we're waiting to hear from the new owners - if you know anything about it, please write me! The Orchard was sold last year, and the new owners are not opening it for picking, at least for 2020. From Iowa City, drive south on S. Gilbert Street /Sand Road. The farm is approximately 8 miles south of Iowa City. Once you cross a four-way stop and a bridge, look for signs on the left. We do not use pesticides on the crops. New in 2018, day-long summer camps integrating tech+nature for those in 4th grade and up. (UPDATED: March 22, 2018) (added back after being closed last year)

 

Eggs

Eggs: Tips, Recipes and Information

Many PYO farms keep chickens and have farm-fresh eggs to sell. Certainly, these eggs are fresher and better in every way than those from a grocery store. Many of these farms sell the eggs year round, often via an honor box

• Types of eggs
• Egg buying guide: grades, sizes and more
• How long do eggs and egg products stay safe and fresh in the fridge
• Selling eggs from your backyard chickens
• Facts about eggs and chickens
• Glossary of meat, milk and eggs terms

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call or check their website or facebook page before you go to the farm - Egg supplies can vary, chickens lay fewer in cold weather.
2. Bring a container for the eggs.  Some farms have them some not, but if you save and reuse egg cartoons, the farmers will appreciate it. It helps cut their costs - and thus yours!
3. Bring cash - many operate honor boxes for eggs
   

When you get home

 To keep eggs safe, take eggs straight home and store them immediately in the refrigerator set at 35 to 40 F. Leave the eggs in their carton and place them in the back of the refrigerator, not in the door (which is the warmest part of the fridge).

Egg Storage Chart
Product	Refrigerator	Freezer
Raw eggs in shell	3 to 5 weeks	Do not freeze.
Raw egg whites	2 to 4 days	12 months
Raw egg yolks	2 to 4 days	Yolks do not freeze well.
Raw egg accidentally frozen in shell	Use immediately after thawing.	Keep frozen; then refrigerate to thaw.
Hard-cooked eggs	1 week	Do not freeze.
Egg substitutes, liquid Unopened	10 days	Do not freeze.
Egg substitutes, liquid Opened	3 days	Do not freeze.
Egg substitutes, frozen Unopened	After thawing, 7 days, or refer to "Use-By" date on carton.	12 months
Egg substitutes, frozen Opened	After thawing, 3 days, or refer to "Use-By" date on carton.	Do not freeze.
Casseroles made with eggs	3 to 4 days	After baking, 2 to 3 months.
Eggnog, commercial	3 to 5 days	6 months
Eggnog, homemade	2 to 4 days	Do not freeze.
Pies, pumpkin or pecan	3 to 4 days	After baking, 1 to 2 months.
Pies, custard and chiffon	3 to 4 days	Do not freeze.
Quiche with any kind of filling	3 to 4 days	After baking, 1 to 2 months.

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers