Fortress Farms Iowa

Fortress Farms Iowa Veteran-owned, family-run farm selling outstanding pastured goods directly to customers.

It is a lot of manual labor to rotate the animals' grazing paddocks out on the pasture.It is also fulfilling to see how ...
07/22/2024

It is a lot of manual labor to rotate the animals' grazing paddocks out on the pasture.

It is also fulfilling to see how content the critters are, enjoying nutritious, delicious grass that is coming back after baling a couple of weeks ago. Swee'pea and PJ approved!

There are few times I see Jill smile as much as when she is holding a pig.  This little one seems to be somewhat enjoyin...
07/20/2024

There are few times I see Jill smile as much as when she is holding a pig. This little one seems to be somewhat enjoying it, too.

These are Idaho Pasture Pigs we had the opportunity to purchase from Silver Fox Pastures near Kalona, Iowa. Melissa was very friendly and helpful and we even got a tour of her family's beautiful farm.

These breeder pigs will be the cornerstone of our future bacon production capability! Their upturned snouts and breed characteristics are made for increased grazing of forages (and less rooting). This should fit well with our farming model.

Give us a call at (515) 227-4471 if you would like to come check out these sweet piglets!

It is a banner day here at the farm!  We just designed our first sign and are really looking forward to displaying it at...
07/05/2024

It is a banner day here at the farm!

We just designed our first sign and are really looking forward to displaying it at the Kossuth County Farmers Market tomorrow (Saturday) in Algona from 9-11 AM.

Stop on out and say hi to all the great vendors! You can get fresh produce, baked goods, homemade crafts, and honey, not to mention goat's milk soap. See you there! :)

--NEWS YOU CAN USE--A very hearty "Happy Independence Day" to you from Fortress Farms!What with all the recent hubbub re...
07/04/2024

--NEWS YOU CAN USE--

A very hearty "Happy Independence Day" to you from Fortress Farms!

What with all the recent hubbub regarding a certain flag dating back to the Revolutionary War, I thought I would take a minute to look at history together.

Colonel Joseph Reed, General George Washington's personal secretary, designed a special flag during the war that symbolized American colonists' pleas to Almighty God for relief from King George III's tyrannical rule.

George Washington chose to feature the Eastern White Pine tree--commonly used in construction and ship building during the rapid expansion of the colonies--on the flag as a sign of independence. The simple banner was thus adopted by a number of American military naval vessels, among other uses.

Most importantly, the flag represented America's acknowledgement of God as the ultimate Supreme Ruler and Judge over any mortal man--take that, divine right of rule!

You can read all this fascinating information and much more at the below website if you have a few minutes. Sure you do... You owe it to General Washington. Happy Independence Day! :)

https://www.americanflags.com/blog/post/an-appeal-to-heaven-flag-meaning

Another day, another fix-it project.  Jacob and Josiah helped Clint replace a broken door k**b on the bathroom door upst...
07/03/2024

Another day, another fix-it project. Jacob and Josiah helped Clint replace a broken door k**b on the bathroom door upstairs.

It was a job well done! The lock seems to be working especially well, judging by the last photo... XD

07/01/2024

Healthy Harvest highlighted our farm 😊

Here is the base recipe I used for the chicken.  The nice thing about the finished product is the versatility.  We pull ...
07/01/2024

Here is the base recipe I used for the chicken. The nice thing about the finished product is the versatility. We pull most of the meat off and eat it right away, but leftovers are great for making smoked chicken salad and nachos!

Our July batch of pastured chickens is pretty well sold out, but our next batch will be available for same-day pick-up on 15 August. Reserve yours today by messaging us on Facebook or texting/calling (515) 227-4471. Have a great day!

These pastured beauties went in the smoker at 250 degrees for approximately 3 hours.  I used oak charcoal and maple logs...
06/30/2024

These pastured beauties went in the smoker at 250 degrees for approximately 3 hours. I used oak charcoal and maple logs, keeping the chickens as far away from the fire as possible.

They are done when the white meat reaches 165 degrees and dark meat 185 degrees, internal temperature, according to recommended guidelines.

And voila! Gorgeous, scrumptious, best-in-class smoked chicken. I'm hungry now!

Next steps:  After brining the chickens for 24 hours, I rinsed them inside and out and patted them dry.  I coated with m...
06/29/2024

Next steps: After brining the chickens for 24 hours, I rinsed them inside and out and patted them dry.

I coated with my proprietary blend of seasonings (aka I threw in a little of everything without keeping track), inserted a half-full can of beer into each one, and they are ready for the smoker!

Note: I leave the necks on because they taste great and it is almost like getting a bonus chicken wing.

Searching for the perfect meat to put on the grill for Independence Day?  We still have a few broiler birds available.  ...
06/28/2024

Searching for the perfect meat to put on the grill for Independence Day? We still have a few broiler birds available.

You have GOT to try our Smokin' Cannonball Chicken recipe. It is the best chicken you will ever eat. Ever. Plump, juicy, flavorful to the utmost.

I am currently brining 5 chickens in the green buckets before they go in our smoker. More pics and recipe to follow... stay tuned!

Last night, I wondered why the birds outside our bedroom window were chirping so loudly. " CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP!"Then...
06/27/2024

Last night, I wondered why the birds outside our bedroom window were chirping so loudly. " CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP!"

Then I remembered Jill and the kids have the egg incubator stationed just outside our bedroom door. HA!

If you look closely, you can see new life wobbling around in there.

How do you keep animals alive when realfeel temps reach over 100 degrees? Homemade electrolyte solution! 2 cups warm wat...
06/25/2024

How do you keep animals alive when realfeel temps reach over 100 degrees? Homemade electrolyte solution!

2 cups warm water
2 Tbsp molasses
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt

Mix together well and use 1 cup of electrolyte solution per one gallon of water. It kept all of our chickens alive yesterday and PJ, the dairy cow, thought it was tasty. Sweet Pea, the calf, prefers blue Gatorade :)

06/23/2024

Check out our newest video with special guests!

Reserve grill-ready chickens for your Independence Day celebration and receive a thank-you gift from your friends at Fortress Farms.

Contact us on Facebook or call (515) 227-4471 today!

Shout out to some sweet kids that recently visited our farm and sent us an awesome note in the mail.  We enjoyed seeing ...
06/21/2024

Shout out to some sweet kids that recently visited our farm and sent us an awesome note in the mail. We enjoyed seeing you all!

Old-time farmers knew better than scientists all along:  Animal fats and unpasteurized butter are much better for us tha...
06/18/2024

Old-time farmers knew better than scientists all along:

Animal fats and unpasteurized butter are much better for us than whatever the wizards come up with in the laboratory! Say no to fake.

Jill is cooling jars of lard from one of our pastured pigs (see photo). Natural, healthy, and delicious. What could be better?

Message us today to reserve your Fall-time pork and start living the dream!

Real dads doing real things keep our families and nation strong.Happy Father's Day from Fortress Farms!
06/17/2024

Real dads doing real things keep our families and nation strong.

Happy Father's Day from Fortress Farms!

Grass ain't just for mowing!Herbivores + grass = meat and milk.  Omnivores + grass = eggs and meat.Chlorophyll is a turb...
06/12/2024

Grass ain't just for mowing!

Herbivores + grass = meat and milk. Omnivores + grass = eggs and meat.

Chlorophyll is a turbo-charged detoxifier and its benefits pass to us through the products the animals provide. God knows what He is doing. Partner with us and give your family the most wholesome nutrition out there.

Question:  Are the Amish on the internet?Answer:  Surprisingly, yes... sort of.  Apparently, if you buy a mid-50s hay ra...
06/11/2024

Question: Are the Amish on the internet?

Answer: Surprisingly, yes... sort of.

Apparently, if you buy a mid-50s hay rake, the Amish craft replacement parts and sell them on the web through a proxy. Whoda thunkit?!

I am grateful, because the old 5-pieces-in-1 lift spring had served its time and needed swapped out. We are one step closer to cutting and baling hay for ourselves! :D

--NEW PRODUCT NOTICE--"Shhhhh, I'm hunting wabbits!"  Have no fear, Elmer Fudd, we are ready to satisfy your rabbit roas...
06/10/2024

--NEW PRODUCT NOTICE--

"Shhhhh, I'm hunting wabbits!" Have no fear, Elmer Fudd, we are ready to satisfy your rabbit roast cravings!

Jacob processed his first batch of meat rabbits and has frozen roasts available immediately. Rabbit meat is very lean, while maintaining juiciness and flavor.

Rabbit can be prepared just like chicken and we would be delighted to supply you with a sure-fire recipe for success if you need inspiration.

Please message us on Facebook or call us at 515-227-4471 to buy your roast today!

Inherent to the glorious tradition of thrifty farming is having a perpetual abundance of equipment on which to "make rep...
06/09/2024

Inherent to the glorious tradition of thrifty farming is having a perpetual abundance of equipment on which to "make repairs and make do," in the paraphrased words of the wise Benjamin Franklin.

We recently purchased an old hay rack used for parades and Clint did most of the repairs himself. However, he called in a mystery guest mechanic to help break free an exceedingly ornery steering component.

A little heat, a little cutting, a fair amount of welding, and voila, one patriotic-type hay wagon ready for action. God bless America.

They say there is one in every bunch... :DYep, the goats are back, and this time they brought two 3-month-old kids with ...
06/05/2024

They say there is one in every bunch... :D

Yep, the goats are back, and this time they brought two 3-month-old kids with them.

Jill is stocking up on goat's milk to make her luxury soaps in a dozen scents. If you would like to purchase bars of refreshing, nourishing goat milk soap, please message us on Facebook or call us at 515-227-4471. We will also be at the Kossuth County Farmer's Market in Algona on Saturdays in June. Come say hi!

Good morning!  I was unloading the pickup earlier and I thought you might like a little insight as to how we roll here a...
05/31/2024

Good morning! I was unloading the pickup earlier and I thought you might like a little insight as to how we roll here at F.F.

The joker in me might tell you that artisan woodworkers lovingly hand-chiseled each wood chip you see before you, creating a dazzling array of unique specimens.

The REAL story is that we bought a wood chipper and convert collected brush into a valuable farm resource. We house the animals inside during winter and the dried wood chips absorb all the goodies they leave behind while providing a clean, comfortable place for them to lounge.

We add more layers of chips throughout the winter, as needed, and then scoop it all out in the spring. After it composts, we will spread it on the pastures and gardens, enhancing soil fertility and plant growth and allowing us to support more animals in the future. I sure do love the symbiotic nature of a farm!

With thankful hearts, we remember those who not only fought, but died, serving our country and the ideals for which it s...
05/27/2024

With thankful hearts, we remember those who not only fought, but died, serving our country and the ideals for which it strives. May our nation humbly turn back to God and may He bless this land once more.

We will be there next Saturday, rockin' the goat milk soap, pasture-raised eggs, and some baked goods!  We will also hav...
05/25/2024

We will be there next Saturday, rockin' the goat milk soap, pasture-raised eggs, and some baked goods! We will also have a sign-up sheet for our chicken and pork. It is a great local market--we look forward to seeing you there!

Be sure to join us at the market next weekend! Opening day for the Kossuth County Farmers Market is Saturday, June 1 at 9 a.m.

Moving to a new paddock to discover what plants and various buried treasures await them has got to be the epitome of adv...
05/23/2024

Moving to a new paddock to discover what plants and various buried treasures await them has got to be the epitome of adventure for these little fellas.

Of course, once in a while they like to push through the electric fence while it is temporarily turned off and then we embark on a great herding adventure. Either way, great fun. ;)

Toying with getting into the kayaking biz... Thoughts?
05/22/2024

Toying with getting into the kayaking biz... Thoughts?

Space invaders!  Oh wait, never mind...  That's beautiful Jill in her super sweet bee keeping garb, getting her new hive...
05/20/2024

Space invaders! Oh wait, never mind... That's beautiful Jill in her super sweet bee keeping garb, getting her new hive set up. She picked out a desirable location, tucked into some trees and near flowers and fruit trees.

Right now, the bees are on a diet of sugar water but will soon be going out to find their own food. Stay tuned for updates!

Friends,We are close followers of Joel Salatin and his farm in Virginia.  His article below (just a couple minutes to re...
05/17/2024

Friends,

We are close followers of Joel Salatin and his farm in Virginia. His article below (just a couple minutes to read) is great insight into the overreach experienced by small-time farmers wanting to bring food to their local communities. I encourage you to read his commentary, as its principles are applied by TPTB in every facet of our lives. Support your local small farms and let freedom ring!

https://www.thelunaticfarmer.com/blog/5/16/2024/they-dont-quit

Last week had many milestones for our family. One of which was butchering the first batch of rabbits. We had never done ...
05/15/2024

Last week had many milestones for our family. One of which was butchering the first batch of rabbits. We had never done this before, but how hard can it be? With some research, the whole process went rather smoothly. Clint butchered the first rabbit and Jacob did the next two. Once we sample the first roast and ensure quality, we'll add rabbit to our list of meats available for preorder.

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Wesley, IA
50483

Telephone

+15152274471

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