Fifth Generation Farm Shares Bounty With Ames Residents

Norine Black speaks passionately about her fifth generation family farm.

Once a privately owned seed farm, Black’s Heritage Farm is now a tourist produce farm found just two miles south of Ames, on University Avenue.

“This farm is a treasure because it’s been here for so long,” she said.

The farm has been in Black's family since 1936.

Black’s Heritage Farm offers a full line of locally grown produce and baked goods 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the in the Main Street Depot. Sweet corn, tomatoes, an assortment of vegetables, zucchini, lettuce, onions and pumpkins are available.

When asked about her favorite Farmers' Market product, Norine Black quickly answered, “our sweet corn, of course and tomatoes right behind it.”

Most of the products Black's sells are grown on the farm. The only product Black brings in is the Missouri Peaches.

“We trade sweet corn for peaches so it’s a cooperative effort,” Norine said. “We appreciate that Ames has made the commitment to shop local. I could never sell 40 acres of vegetables if it wasn’t for the customers.”

Black’s customer and Ames resident Sue Dillman said she enjoys local produce.

“I enjoy purchasing fresh produce locally,” Dillman said after purchasing a bag of peaches. “I’m going to go home and freeze them.”

Black’s employee Bethann Schrader appreciates the work.

“I like fresh fruit and vegetables plus I get to talk to people all day,” Schrader said.

Black also has a love of farm work.

“I enjoy the challenge of getting up with the sun and that cool quiet time,” Norine Black said of farm hours.

In September, Black's will be hosting a bounty meal using fresh farm products. Advanced tickets for the sit-down dinner will be available for sale at the farmers' market.

Black's Heritage Farm was originally a seed farm, but became a tourist and produce farm about 12 years ago. The farm is open to visitors during the growing season.

Horse-drawn hayrides take visitors through the pumpkin patch on weekends where guests can pick their own pumpkins.

Trolley rides are available for birthday parties. The trolley is pulled by Black's two draft horses.

Guests can also pet and feed animals, ride ponies, sit on a farm tractor, eat "country food,"

“Buy local produce and enjoy the great outdoors in the country," Black said.

“Everything we do at Black’s Heritage Farm is what we’ve learned and we would like to pass that on,” Norine said. “Teaching someone how to grow something, watching someone learn, encourages people to follow the healthy path.”

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