All good days begin with a good breakfast and to start Farm Days off right, a pancake breakfast is planned at 6:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The proceeds from the pancake breakfast go to the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department volunteers will serve lunch both days. The Minden Monarchs, Shelby Super Stars and Southwest 4-H Clubs will offer refreshments and delicious desserts all weekend.

On Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m. enjoy Staley’s Chicken for a delicious dinner. Proceeds from the dinner will go toward on-going maintenance at Carstens 1880 Farmstead. During dinner students from Miss Tammy’s School of Dance in Neola will entertain visitors on the front lawn of the farmhouse.

Massey-Harris to be featured

Massey-Harris tractors and equipment will be the featured line this year. All Massey-Harris owners are invited to bring their exhibits to display throughout the weekend.

Horsepower testing, sawmill operations and field demonstrations will occupy tractor exhibitors all day. Nearly 250 pieces of vintage equipment were on display during the 2008 Farm Days show. Visitors will enjoy watching most of the restored tractors as they go through the parade each day at 2 p.m.

Quilt Show

A colorful display of quilts, wall hangings, wearable art and other types of quilting projects will be featured in the new machine shed at the farm. Many talented quilters from around the area will allow their works of art to be displayed for all to enjoy. For details about the quilt show or to inquire about adding your quilt to the collection, please call Jan Hursey at 712-544-2662 or Marilyn Evans at 712-544-2266.

Quilt Raffle

A one-of-a-kind quilt is being raffled this year. 25 area quilters each donated a quilt block which were then pieced together into a 100" x 100" quilt. After Jan Hursey and Marilyn Evans spent countless hours hand-quilting the quilt, we ended up with a beautiful quilt.

The quilt can be viewed at the Shelby County State Bank in Shelby, Iowa and on our new website: www.carstensfarm.com.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at area banks for $1.00 per ticket. Proceeds from the quilt show will go toward the upkeep of Carstens Farm. The winner of the raffle will be announced following the parade on Sunday, September 13, 2009 at approximately 3 p.m. Need not be present to win.

Entertainment

On Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m., the Silver Creek Cloggers will entertain both young and old farmstead visitors alike. Various music acts will add to the fun and folksy atmosphere of Farm Days.

Crafts galore

In case visitors run out of vintage tractors and other pieces of equipment to look at, there will be over forty crafters and vendors on hand. A special display of vintage seed corn sacks will be on display. A wide array of crafts will be available. From unique wooden creations to homemade jams and jellies, there will be something for everyone.

A very healthy crop of farm-grown potatoes will also be available for purchase this year. Proceeds from the sale of potatoes will help make improvements to the farmstead.

Sunday Worship

On Sunday morning a non-denominational worship service will take place at 9:00 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Carstens family home. Everyone is welcome to join in the worship service.

Admission

Admission is $5 per day for everyone nine years and older. We will look forward to seeing you at Farm Days!

Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc., a non-profit group of local volunteers, oversees an 80-acre working farm museum exhibit located between Minden and Shelby, Iowa in Pottawattamie County. The farmstead is the home of Carstens Farm Days, which is held the first weekend after Labor Day each September. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information visit the web site: www.carstensfarm.com.