Oak Street Station

Decorative gourds in an endless array of shapes and colors are available at The Harvest. Hidden throughout the farmyard every year, they have “scarecrows” representing all 9 of their grandchildren. Many visitors go on a hunt every year to try to find all 9. The Strasser’s selection of squash.

The candy onions are popular.

Serving farmers in southeast SD and northwest IA

SEMI and AG TIRES (new and used) MOBILE TIRE REPAIR AND SERVICE

712-753-4800

2403 US Highway 18 Inwood IA 51240 There’s still a strong element of trust between the Strassers and their customers. Upon arriving, customers follow the signage to the “start here” table where they get a pencil and paper to keep track of what they load in a wagon. Their purchases are rung up based on what they’ve written down. “We accept whatever they’ve written – you give people a chance to be honest. I'm sure there's a gourd or two that gets out of here without us knowing about it,” Dave said. Furthermore, they recognize the financial limitations families face – they have sections of pumpkins and gourds with price tags of $1-$3. Just like any farmer, they battle pests – for them, the worst ones are deer, raccoons and squirrels. “We take some of the rotten pumpkins and some of the chewed-on ones and put them back there in the trees so the squirrels will stay where they're supposed to be and not mess with my product. Naughty little things!” Gail said. Pumpkins are troublesome in and of themselves because it’s not always apparent when there’s a rotten spot or have been too long in the sun. “Pumpkins need to have a turkey timer in them so that when they're done with their life it’s pops up so I can find them more easily to throw them away,” she said.

WORK ETHIC

They use every corner of their 21 acres to grow crops in 11 different patches. Dave said, “Originally it was a lot of pasture because the kids had 4-H calves and cows.”