Welcome Home Des Moines
  • Welcome Home Des Moines
  • Featured
    • Homes
    • Landscapes
    • Remodels
  • Articles
  • Recipes
  • Experts
  • Archives
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe
Welcome Home Des Moines
Welcome Home Des Moines
  • Featured
    • Homes
    • Landscapes
    • Remodels
  • Articles
    • Kitchen & Bath
    • Home Trends
    • Style Trends
    • In The Kitchen With…
  • Recipes
  • Experts
  • Featured
  • Homes

A New Hometown

Middlebrook’s produce stand showing latest harvest available, barn in the background
Middlebrook’s produce stand features the agrihood’s most recent harvest. Photo by Middlebrook.

Iowa’s first agrihood opens in Cumming.

Story by Tracy Dickinson
Photography Courtesy Middlebrook
Featured in September/October 2020

Early last year Diligent Development of Des Moines announced plans for Iowa’s first agrihood, a project described as a “sustainable farming community for the modern age” and a hometown concept that marries the past and the future.

Well, that future is here, and it’s redefining “hometown” in a beautiful way.

Middlebrook Development, located in Cumming, just south of West Des Moines, covers over 500 acres, with four residential plats, a farm, and a variety of commercial projects.

According to Kalen Ludwig of Peoples Company, “In a lot of ways, the pandemic has actually sparked interest, even beyond the Des Moines area. We’ve had people contact us from Chicago and other cities wanting to simplify the way they’re living and get out of those huge metropolitan areas. Our first residents have moved in, and our model home is open, which incorporates all our architectural standards for Middlebrook.”

The development has also been chosen as one of two sites for the 2021 “Town and Country” HomeShowExpo next July.

Artist’s rendering shows homes across a path from planted crops
An artist’s rendering of the Middlebrook development shows the mixed used plan for the neighborhood. Artwork by Middlebrook.

Middlebrook, Iowa’s first agrihood, is modeled after several similar projects across the U.S., including Serenbe in Georgia, one of the nation’s first agrihoods. That community, developed by Stephan D. Nygren, is a model of integrated agriculture and a range of housing options mixed with retail, efficient infrastructure options, and services that nurture the community.

Nygren describes his development philosophy as “radical common sense,” which resonates with American homeowners these days. Agrihoods offer multiple benefits to communities, including promoting the health of the residents, encouraging social interaction, conserving the environment, and creating jobs that support the local community and economy.

Middlebrook is putting its own spin on the agrihood concept in order to achieve similar goals. The Middlebrook community farm saw its initial harvest before the first homes were completed, and sales of local produce have continued, with adjustments for social distancing and health restrictions.

“We’ve had people contact us from Chicago and other cities wanting to simplify the way they’re living and get out of those huge metropolitan areas.”

Kalen Ludwig, Peoples Company
Dan Fillius, Farmer Dan, sitting next to the produce stand

Dan Fillius, the community’s farmer, oversees the farm along with a part-time assistant. “Right now, we have just four acres in crops, with the goal of 20 acres eventually. We have 2 acres of sweet corn; 2⁄3 acre of pumpkins; 2⁄3 acre of vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, kale, zucchini, beets, and carrots; and the rest in cover crops,” he says. “We’ll also be certified organic in 2021. We’re already two years into the three-year process of accomplishing that.”

Fillius, known in the Middlebrook area as Farmer Dan, currently lives in the Des Moines area and teaches at Iowa State University Extension in addition to his work at the farm. He and his wife, a teacher at Des Moines Lincoln High School, moved back to Iowa to be closer to family.

The Middlebrook connection was a fortuitous bonus. “We were working with a real estate agent, looking for a house to start a small farm, and our agent was connected to this project. When he found out what I did, he said Middlebrook was in need of a part-time farmer, and the rest is history.”

Fillius has been managing farms for more than a decade and is excited about the agrihood concept and its community connection. He says Middlebrook added an online order option for vegetable sales this summer. Customers can order ahead and schedule a pickup time.

Artist’s rendering shows homes across a path from planted crops
An artist’s rendering of the Middlebrook development shows the mixed used plan for the neighborhood. Artwork by Middlebrook.

Within the next year or two, Fillius says, Middlebrook hopes to have its own CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) through which customers can contract preseason for weekly produce. Ultimately, the farm will supply enough fruits and vegetables to meet the needs of the estimated 1,000 future Middlebrook residents.

“We’ve already got a weekly farmers market,” says Fillius. “Friday evenings from 4–7 through October we have fresh produce, other local products, and food trucks and live music.”

Bikes and riders around Middlebrook signage
Middlebrook hosts a variety of events through the year, including RAGBRAI in 2019. They featuring their own produce as well as items from other local growers and craftspeople. Photo by Middlebrook.
Produce stand at Middlebrook
Middlebrook hosts a variety of events through the year, featuring their own produce as well as items from other local growers and craftspeople. “Fridays at the Farm” includes live music, food trucks, and activities for the whole family. Photo by Middlebrook.
Middlebrook assistant showing children carrots from the field
Middlebrook hosts a variety of events through the year, featuring their own produce as well as items from other local growers and craftspeople. “Fridays at the Farm” includes live music, food trucks, and activities for the whole family. Photo by Middlebrook.
Red tractor working in the field
A total of four acres of cultivated farm land are under production so far. Photo by Middlebrook.
Child swining from the tree with older kids playing in the background
Middlebrook hosts a variety of events through the year, featuring their own produce as well as items from other local growers and craftspeople. “Fridays at the Farm” includes live music, food trucks, and activities for the whole family. Photo by Middlebrook.
A band performing live at Middlebrook
Middlebrook hosts a variety of events through the year, featuring their own produce as well as items from other local growers and craftspeople. “Fridays at the Farm” includes live music, food trucks, and activities for the whole family. Photo by Middlebrook.
Placing an order at a food truck
Middlebrook hosts a variety of events through the year, featuring their own produce as well as items from other local growers and craftspeople. “Fridays at the Farm” includes live music, food trucks, and activities for the whole family. Photo by Middlebrook.

The market site alongside the farm also features an enclosed chicken yard, a large coop, and a remodeled farmhouse. An old schoolhouse across the road is being transformed into a wine bar and beer garden.

The philosophy behind agrihood development views community on multiple levels—land use, housing trends, environmental concerns, and food consumption. An agrihood is designed to address each of those, and Middlebrook is on track to accomplish that.

In addition to single-family homes and the community farm, Middlebrook will offer townhomes, senior living, high-end estate homes, parks, environmentally appropriate landscaping, and access to the existing Great Western Trail bike trail.

In many ways, most Iowa towns have been a type of agrihood for decades. But as communities spread out and metropolitan areas grow, many believe that the traditional Iowa lifestyle is being lost.

Many of today’s home buyers are looking for neighborhoods that offer the best of yesterday with the amenities of the future—a small-town country feel with the perks of urban life close by.

Middlebrook seeks to be that hometown. •

The exterior of a home in Middlebrook
The Middlebrook neighborhood brings together modern amenities and classic midwestern touches, like farmhouse siding and wide front porches. Photo by Middlebrook.
The covered porch on a Middlebrook home
Ground Breaker Homes designer Katie Long incorporated key architectural elements from the Middlebrook design book in the model home: hickory kitchen cabinets with subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, black accents throughout, modern farmhouse light fixtures, a light-filled interior with fresh white trim and mixed wood accents, and a covered porch with views of the scenic countryside. Photo by Middlebrook.
The living room of a Middlebrook home
Ground Breaker Homes designer Katie Long incorporated key architectural elements from the Middlebrook design book in the model home: hickory kitchen cabinets with subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, black accents throughout, modern farmhouse light fixtures, a light-filled interior with fresh white trim and mixed wood accents, and a covered porch with views of the scenic countryside. Photo by Middlebrook.
Cabinetry with hickory wood in the kitchen
Ground Breaker Homes designer Katie Long incorporated key architectural elements from the Middlebrook design book in the model home: hickory kitchen cabinets with subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, black accents throughout, modern farmhouse light fixtures, a light-filled interior with fresh white trim and mixed wood accents, and a covered porch with views of the scenic countryside. Photo by Middlebrook.
A sitting area with two chairs and flowers
Ground Breaker Homes designer Katie Long incorporated key architectural elements from the Middlebrook design book in the model home: hickory kitchen cabinets with subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, black accents throughout, modern farmhouse light fixtures, a light-filled interior with fresh white trim and mixed wood accents, and a covered porch with views of the scenic countryside. Photo by Middlebrook.
Quartz countertops in the Middlebrook kitchen
Ground Breaker Homes designer Katie Long incorporated key architectural elements from the Middlebrook design book in the model home: hickory kitchen cabinets with subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, black accents throughout, modern farmhouse light fixtures, a light-filled interior with fresh white trim and mixed wood accents, and a covered porch with views of the scenic countryside. Photo by Middlebrook.
A black light fixture over the dining area
Ground Breaker Homes designer Katie Long incorporated key architectural elements from the Middlebrook design book in the model home: hickory kitchen cabinets with subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, black accents throughout, modern farmhouse light fixtures, a light-filled interior with fresh white trim and mixed wood accents, and a covered porch with views of the scenic countryside. Photo by Middlebrook.
Fresh white trim and mixed wood accents in the mudroom
Ground Breaker Homes designer Katie Long incorporated key architectural elements from the Middlebrook design book in the model home: hickory kitchen cabinets with subway tile backsplash, quartz countertops, black accents throughout, modern farmhouse light fixtures, a light-filled interior with fresh white trim and mixed wood accents, and a covered porch with views of the scenic countryside. Photo by Middlebrook.
Resources
  • Developer Diligent Development
  • Real Estate Broker Peoples Company
You May Also Like

It’s Their Happy Place

Same Number, New Home

For The Fun of It

A New/Old Farmhouse

The Good News

Referrals Welcome

Favorites of 2024

Quality Time

View our digital edition!
Recent Features
    • Featured
    • Homes
    It’s Their Happy Place
    • Featured
    • Remodels
    Same Number, New Home
    • Featured
    • Landscapes
    For The Fun of It
Recent Articles
    • Articles
    • Home Trends
    More Than a Dream
    • Articles
    • Home Trends
    Honey, It’s Done
    • Articles
    • Kitchen & Bath
    A Little Pizzazz
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Like Us on Facebook!
Sign up to stay in touch!
Sign up to get interesting news and updates delivered to your inbox. Welcome Home Des Moines is central Iowa's premier home & lifestyle magazine.
Sign up now!
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Up For Our Newsletter
  • Archives
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Welcome Home Des Moines
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
Copyright © 2024 Home Productions, LLC. All rights reserved.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.