200 acres hosted by Mary Lynne O.
Creature comforts
Enjoy the comforts of home—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.
We invite you to turn off your phone and unwind on the front porch rocking chair as you watch one of our breathtaking sunsets or sunrises. Pasture and grassland with 7 ponds are accessible by a short hike along the cattle trails. A marked perimeter trail follows Wolfe Creek, home to wildlife and a shady cool spot during the hot days of summer.
Mulberry Cottage is at the northeast corner of a 200-acre cattle ranch where we practice rotational grazing on ten paddocks. The cabin, surrounded by Mulberry and Osage Orange (Hedge Trees) are host to berry eating birds and mammals. (And the occasional marsupial). Cattle are fenced outside the cabin area but may be close by where you hear them and see them. Deer and coyotes are common on the property as plenty of birdlife. The cabin is a farm-stay experience with farm fresh eggs, and Mulberry preserves for your baked goods in the morning.
You will need your muck boots and cowboy hat to hike our cattle trails and wade in the creeks. Try your hand at "frogging" in the marshes of one of our 7 ponds. Bottle-feeding a calf or collecting eggs are some of the chores you are welcome to participate in. You'll be amazed at the variety of wildflowers and birding opportunities. The head cowboy himself will invite you to chore time or have a farm tour of our grazing and regenerative practices. Our natural beef and tallow products are all for sale at the farm or grill up some "Ohnemusbeef" available at our farm store.The Mulberry Cottage comfortably sleeps 4 with a double bed on the main floor and a loft with 2 twin mattresses. The cottage is private but not isolated. You'll be in a grove of trees, where the deck and firepit provide a quiet and secluded feeling. A pond and grazing cattle are in view of the front porch. Water from the taps is good to drink.
The restroom in the cottage has a toilet and sink with a shower. Hot water "on demand" allows for quick cleanups. The air conditioner keeps the inside temps cool during our hot Iowa summers. The kitchen area has a one burner induction stove, air fryer, microwave, toaster and coffee maker along with a mid-sized fridge. All towels and linen are provided.
You will arrive by the gravel lane that is shared with farm machinery going out to the pastures. This is a working farm, and you will see tractors, UTV's and farm equipment at work. Mulberry Cottage is located near hay storage where kids will love to jump on the bales or play tag. Tenting or self-contained small RV's are welcome, however the weather determines suitability and location as mud can become miserable on the farm. You will need to stick to gravel with your vehicle. Ferraris don't work well!
Trails are accessed directly from the cottage or from the gravel road. A painted site map hangs on the wall inside so that you can navigate the trails and ponds. Limited pond fishing may be available for a fee. Working dogs are present and roam, therefore pets are not allowed.
You are encouraged to view cattle during chore times in the farmyard and around the cattle lots, however we ask that you stay out of pastures where cows and calves are present, keeping to the marked trails, as cattle are scared of unfamiliar voices and movements.
