Field Day at Otter Creek Orchard Farms – Family Fun on the Farm

Field Day at Otter Creek Orchard Farms – Family Fun on the Farm

Dallas and Kara Jo Hendrikson started their dream to create a place for families to enjoy the fall harvest season and fresh produce when they purchased an apple orchard from Chuck and Julia Crail in 2020.  Both Dallas and Kara Jo had worked on the orchard prior to the sale, so were familiar with the farm.

“We both could sense the potential of the place for a family fun destination,” says Dallas. “They had a great product in the apples, which was already drawing a lot of people. We thought we could add a few things to make it even more of an attraction.”

Since the Hendrickson’s took ownership of the u-pick orchard, they have added a corn maze, pumpkin patch, sunflower patch, watermelon, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, as well as numerous activities and games for families to enjoy on crisp fall weekends. One of the newest revisions is a building which includes a kitchen, concession stand, store, and restrooms.

Dallas notes that this is the fourth fall they’ve been open. “People come from over an hour away,” he says.  “And they come back again and again. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it to see the joy on people’s faces!” Opening day this year is Saturday, September 16.

This Field Day will begin at 5 pm. Dallas and Kara Jo will take visitors on a tour of the orchard, sunflowers, pumpkins, and anything else folks would like to see. Field day guests will also enjoy some apple-based snacks and a chance to ask questions about agri-tourism.

The orchard will be available for u-pick, and Otter Creek products will be for sale in the store.

Dallas has bigger dreams for their business. “We’d love to expand to having a 2-weekend festival each month of the summer months, and becoming a roadside produce market. We’re really invested in providing a great ag experience for families.”

Questions about the Field Day may be directed to Mary at connection@healthyharvestni.com. 

The North Iowa Local Food Connections program is coordinated by Healthy Harvest of North Iowa to build relationships between local food and farm businesses.  This series of field days provides an opportunity to learn about the unique businesses across our region raising and providing great food.  The network creates a space for businesses and friends to collaborate, learn, and create connections that build businesses and productive communities. 

North Iowa Food Connections program is a partnership of Healthy Harvest of North Iowa (www.healthyharvistni.com), local food and farm business.  Support provided by a USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa. 

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Healthy Harvest of North Iowa is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that connects and educates in support of the local food system. Information can be found at www.healthyharvestni.com.