Information for Tours

We send this information (in addition to your tour date and time) by email or postal mail to each tour group after scheduling.

You are welcome to bring sack lunches if you wish to have lunch before or after your scheduled tour. We do, however, ask that you bring a trash bag and carry out your trash.

When you arrive, pull into the parking lot marked by the big bus sign (past our farm driveway). You will see the pumpkin house (you can't miss the color!) at the entry to our farm. Please send all needed representatives of your group to the pumpkin house to pay and receive instructions to start the tour. Tour cost is $4 per child or adult; one adult per class is free. We accept cash, checks, PO's and debit and credit (MasterCard, Visa and Discover). We welcome parents' participation so that they can spend time with their children on our farm, though we do require that they pay for the tour. Please inform all parents and chaperones that they will also need to pay $4 for the tour. It will speed the start of your tour if you collect all money in advance.

The tour typically lasts 1½ hours. Many times, every slot for a tour time is full. Please have your group be as punctual as possible. We do understand that, with the way many school's busing situations are, it can be difficult. We will do our best to get started on time so you have the chance to see everything on your tour. Keep in mind, though, that if your group is late your tour may be cut short. It is only fair that we start the next tours on time.

At the time your tour is scheduled to begin, we'll enjoy the following things:

• take a hayride out to the orchard to pick 2 apples (has been 3, but the crop is low this year) and then to pick 2 gourds (beginning at the end of September);
• visit the grading room to see how apples are sorted;
• feed chickens, goats, pigs, sheep and elk;
• go through the time tunnel to visit the one-room schoolhouse;
• play in the homes of the Three Little Pigs; and
• visit the Country Store. (This is the best time for adults to purchase pies, apples, jams, etc.)
  

Our tours are held rain or shine. On rainy days we do apple tasting, learn how apples grow and read stories. If it is raining, you may use the first driveway and pull up to the store. We will check you in for the tour there, rather than at the pumpkin house.

If you have any further questions, please call us at 515-250-3190.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,
Your friends at Center Grove Orchard

We are located just north of Ankeny and south of Ames, 5 miles east of I-35 on Highway 210 (Exit 102, Cambridge). Then, north 1/8 mile on 610th Ave.

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