As part of Iowa State University, the farms are intended to be an educational resource for students and the community. In order to ensure the safety of visitors, farm staff, and animals, tours of the farms are available through prior appointment only. We require tours to be scheduled 1 week in advance. To schedule a tour, please call the farm contact at the number provided below. If visitors arrive at the farm unannounced, they are encouraged to call the farm superintendent on arrival.
We also offer several annual family-friendly days for children to attend. Please check our website for exact dates but the following items are great for kids:
- Animal Learning Day, Jeff and Deb Hansen Center - farm animals will be at this event
- June Dairy Days, Dairy Farm (first week of June) - Tours of the farm with lots of kids activities
When attending a tour, please remember the following:
- Wear comfortable clothing. Depending on which site you go to, you may be required to change into ISU biosecure clothing. Iowa State also provides plastic booties to wear over shoes.
- Wear comfortable shoes as quite a bit of walking will be required.
- Tours are free and open to the public
- We are required to follow the Biosecurity policies that the USDA provides to prevent spread of disease. Please be aware of the following guidelines below.
Farm Biosecurity Policies:
****African Swine Fever Advisory 2019 [PDF]****
According to USDA guidelines, the following biosecurity policy applies to ALL visitors, staff, students, and faculty at the Poultry Science Farm:
- All visitors must register with farm personnel
- Clean clothes and boots/shoes (plastic boots will be provided) that have not been on other farms must be worn
- International visitors or travelers must be in the US five days prior to being on the farm
- Poultry: No contact with any avian species (including parrots, canaries, etc) or swine for at least 72 hours prior to being on the farm.
- Swine: All visitors must have 48 hours away from other swine prior to visiting the farm.
Special arrangements will be made for groups of pre-school or school age children. These groups may schedule to visit the farm and view the milking process. Tours are by prior arrangement only, and there are some restrictions.
Farm Contacts
Farms available for tours:
Dairy Farm: Mary Healey, 515.296.4219
Beef Teaching Farm: David Bruene 515.509.9601
Horse Farm: Nikki Ferwerda, 515.290.7669
Sheep Farm: Ben Drescher, 515.291.4725
Swine Teaching Farm: Ben Drescher, 515.291.4725
Farms not available for tours:
Beef Nutrition Farm
Swine Nutrition Farm
Lauren Christian Swine Research Center
Poultry Farm