The Great Outdoors

BRANDED CONTENT

At the heart of the Middlebrook Agrihood is an emphasis on access to nature. Even its location, wrapping the Great Western Bike Trail just south of the Des Moines metro, champions engagement with the land and Iowa’s rural legacy. Within the 800-acre development, hundreds of acres are set aside for parks, ponds and open spaces, as well as community cornerstones such as the Middlebrook Meadow and Wilson’s Orchard

The Meadow is more than 50 acres of nature preserve with native grasses and flowers, abundant wildlife, and a meandering creek. Situated south of the village core, the green space also contains a 1.5-mile walking trail that connects the bike trail with Wilson’s Ciderhouse and farm market building. The Meadow is accessible year-round during daylight hours for residents and visitors who keep pets on leashes and leave no trace.

From the vantage point of the meadow, hikers might see grazing farm animals. The sheep (coming in 2025) are part of Wilson’s polyculture farm, which opened one year ago and occupies more than 100 acres at the southwestern corner of Middlebrook. Wilson’s is a beloved orchard and farm-to-table restaurant in the Iowa City area, and opening a second location is an exciting expansion for the local treasure. “2024 was a year of milestones for us,” Wilson’s Jacob Goering says of the venture that began in 2019. “Our farm in Des Moines is very similar to our Iowa City farm — we have a Ciderhouse (a full-service restaurant and tasting room), a farm market, a private event venue, a variety of activities, and, of course, 100-plus acres where guests can pick their own flowers and produce from April to October.”

“It has the prettiest views in the Des Moines metro,” Ludwig said. “It feels tranquil and authentic — you aren’t looking at concrete and city. It’s so relaxing.”

This spring, several family-friendly events will add to the incentive for visiting Wilson’s Farm in the Agrihood. First, the annual Easter Egg Hunt during the second and third weekends of April. Every hunter will depart this epic farmyard event with a bunny bag filled with toys and treats, but the lucky hunters who find a golden egg will get an extra-special surprise. Wilson’s second-annual Tulip Festival will begin April 23 and go through mid-May. The fields of blooms are a visual feast, a fabulous opportunity for photo shoots, and an early-season occasion to pick your own bouquets. More events and you-pick seasons for flowers as well as berries, apples and pumpkins continue through the spring, summer and fall.

But Wilson’s is so much more — including a restaurant with a delicious, a bakery that uses fresh, local, unprocessed ingredients, and market with a curated selection of produce, prepared foods and more. “They have amazing wood-fired pizza and great apps, and the whole menu is farm to table,” said Kalen Ludwig, director of sales and marketing with Diligent Development. “They have a tap room with hard and soft cider, and the event venue has a separate entrance and is perfect for an outdoor wedding.” For the kids there’s a three-story play barn with a giant slide, and for the adults, there’s a patio with a view of the orchard and surrounding countryside. “It has the prettiest views in the Des Moines metro,” Ludwig said. “It feels tranquil and authentic — you aren’t looking at concrete and city. It’s so relaxing.”

Like the Agrihood itself, Wilson’s has a long-term plan of continued growth but will not lose sight of the core value of access to nature and engagement with the land. “The development of our farm and the Agrihood are both in a very early phase,” Goering said. “There are so many new and exciting things to come.”

> CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MIDDLEBROOK MERCANTILE