The boys were a bit shy about climbing up into the cab of the tractor.

I went outside the barn to look at the cows … and be looked it. I moved slowly towards them, and a few cows were curious, but the herd as a whole was rather skittish.

Rachel hosted us for a dinner of Iowa beef. Marianne baked some croissants.

Meat, potatoes and salad were served as a buffet.

The boys were active during the meal, but starting succumbing to jet lag after dinner.

We were supposed to spend another day at the farm, but the forecast of an approaching winter storm led us to choose to fly out one day earlier. We didn’t get the maximum opportunity to talk about how the farm operates as a business, so I may have to schedule a return visit some day.

There are certainly lots of open fields with fences around them.

In the area, there some Amish farms who continue to follow traditional methods of agriculture and living. This includes both high ground with a stream in the valley.

We waved hi to the woman putting out her laundry.

In contrast, an industrial pig farm is a longhouse with ventilation at both ends.

DLH drove us past an old school house, now dilapidated, where he first attended class as a child.

There are some non-agricultural businesses in the area. On the main road near town is Books Are Fun.

Northwest of Fairfield is Maharishi Vedic City, incorporated as its own municipality. We drove by Capital of the Global Country of World Peace.

Closer to town is the Maharishi University of Management, prominent with its dome.

A little further up the hill is the Maharishi Tower of Invincibility.

In town, the best place for lunch is supposed to be the Entree Cafe.

While we enjoyed the food, the cafe was also a destination for Internet access.

Part of doing research is breaking out of our traditional thinking to see the world in a different way. Seeing how people live in a rural area is a big change for us city-dwellers.

It’s a working farm. DLH’s career is in New Jersey, so he has been leasing the land to other family members on a long-term basis.

The barns haven’t been a high priority for construction. They may become meeting rooms some day.

Construction on the exterior of the house is complete. The building was done without plans, around a period house built from a Sears and Roebuck kit.

The great hall is open to the second floor. Windows let in light even in the middle of winter.

On the other side of the house, the diningroom has windows on multiple sides, filling the area with light.

In the middle of the house is the stairs — by a wall from the original Sears & Roebuck house — with a passage by the pantry into the kitchen.

The kitchen is open, with lots of working room.

When we were there, three of the bedrooms on the second floor had been finished.

The second floor opens up over the great hall, giving a great view.

Upon the third floor is a meeting room with a long table and comfortable chairs.

Looking out the east window from the third floor, we saw one of the farm trucks pull up and drop off a few things.

Out the third floor west window, the town water tower is in the distance.

While we were visiting, the workmen finished the stairs for the house, completing all of the structural elements. The floors were done, and the major walls were in. There’s still lots to do, but a visitor now has a good idea of what the final result will be.