Explore Iowa’s farm history at Carstens Farm during the 40th annual Carstens Farm Days on September 10 and 11! This longstanding tradition showcases how farming practices have moved from hand labor to horse machinery to tractors and allows you to see the tools that formed our rural heritage.

Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc., is a non-profit group of local volunteers overseeing an 80-acre working farm museum exhibit between Minden and Shelby, Iowa, in Pottawattamie County. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Come see steam engines as they power antique threshing machines, and check out the cool antique cars, trucks, and machinery! Over two hundred restored tractors will be on display. The festivities include a parade, crafts, and tours of the original Carstens farm buildings.

A colorful display of quilts, wall hangings, wearable art, and other types of textiles will be featured in the Quilt Show, and over 50 crafters and vendors will be on-site selling a wide variety of crafts, plants, and antique items.

Admission is only $5 per day for those nine years or older.

On Friday evening, a pulled pork sandwich dinner will be hosted by the Friends of the Shelby Stone Arch Trail Committee from 5:00 p.m. til 7:30 p.m. The days will kick off on Saturday and Sunday with a delicious breakfast at 6:30 a.m. Snacks, lunch options, refreshments, and desserts provided by Hodged Smokehouse Catering of Minden and other local non-profit groups will be available throughout the weekend. On Saturday at 5:30 p.m., Staley’s Chicken will also serve dinner. Don’t forget to grab some homemade ice cream from Benny’s Ice Cream; it’s a fan favorite!

To learn more about Carstens Farm Days, visit their website.