Farmers markets are a dazzling display of America’s heartland year-round, but they shine especially during the summer months, when locals leisurely stroll the grounds, filling tote bags with just-plucked produce, enjoying live tunes and meeting the hardworking people behind the booths.
Now, those folks are inviting us to come to them, opening their dining rooms and barn doors for immersive, communal feasts that offer what we crave most: connection to the land and each other.
Discovery drives it all — seasonal menus from the region’s best chefs, a road trip in sight, and the chance to make a weekend of it, enjoying these towns in late summer splendor. The fact that many of the events champion charitable causes only has us packing our bags faster. From community burger nights to multicourse meals, here are the best farm dinners to travel for — plus, where to post up, post-meal.
Farrand Hall (Colon, Michigan)
James Gray and Jacob Hagan originally purchased this historic property to be a weekend getaway from Chicago, but after holding a few small events, they realized the space’s special qualities in bringing people together. The two bridged their backgrounds in art, design and hospitality to create the communal hub Farrand Hall is today, home to a market, bakery and cafe, and several culinary gatherings throughout the year. Keep an eye on their calendar for frequent chef collaboration dinners featuring leading talent from across the country, including Chicago’s own Dominique Leach on Oct. 4. The team also hosts monthly, multicourse dinners with their chef, Ken Miller, including a late summer menu on Aug. 29 and on Sept. 26, a Harvest Dinner benefiting their Culinary Internship Program.
Walker Homestead Farm and Winery (Iowa City, Iowa)
This farm and winery, established in 2020, sits just outside of downtown Iowa City and spans 85 acres of gardens, orchards, vineyard and pasture. The team carries out its mission of building community through thoughtful, year-round agricultural education and culinary events, giving guests ample opportunity to connect and learn sustainable practices of care. Visit for their Thursday Open Hours, when they serve a menu of wood-fired pizzas and farm-inspired plates, or book one of their Farmer’s Table dinners. These popular monthly gatherings — taking place on Sept. 10, Oct. 8 and Nov. 12 — feature a welcome drink, live music and a multicourse menu honoring that week’s harvest.
For an overnight: Embrace Iowa City’s artistic history in the heart of downtown at The Graduate, where lobby walls are adorned with poetic verse, and amenities honor University of Iowa alumni (such as Wilder, a restaurant honoring Gene Wilder). For a more rustic stay, check out the treehouses and huts at Calyx Creek, a 200-acre lavender farm.
