Country Homestead Bed and Breakfast

The Country Homestead Bed and Breakfast is located on a boundary between the Missouri floodplain delta and the windblown Loess Hills in western Iowa which were originally prairie. Settling of the land prevented fires, which resulted in succession of brush and trees.

Remnants of native prairie can still be identified on the farmstead in: 100 acres of cropland below the road (some agricultural wetlands)*150 acres of Loess Hills behind the house (using common names).

Reese Homestead: 1916. These hills are approximately 15 miles east of the Missouri River. They run from Akron on the north, to Hamburg, at Iowa's southern border. This picture was taken 1/2 mile east of the western front of the hills, standing on the Little Sioux River bottom.

In 1916 the Loess Hills were covered by a mixed grass prairie, which burnt periodically but consistently. The prairie thrived on a fire ecology, and depended on fire to maintain itself. The prairie of Iowa's central plains provided rich soil and has been turned into cropland. It is estimated that 95% of Iowa's remaining prairie is in the Loess Hills--Iowa's West Coast. With the settlement of the hills, suppression of fire, and grazing of livestock, the trees have gradually begun to succeed the prairie. The trees are currently succeeding the prairie at an alarming rate. At Reese Homestead we are making a concerted effort to protect, restore and reconstruct the prairie. During a visit to Country Homestead you will be able to hike and see some native prairie in the Loess Hills. Inquire about purchasing Loess Hills Local Ecotype seed. (See Prairie Potpourri.)