‘Rare Iowa Farm’ Checks All the Boxes for Potential Buyer
- Brooke Bouma Kohlsdorf
- 25 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Just 20 minutes from downtown Des Moines, Iowa, a rare and storied farm has hit the market for the first time in decades. The agent listing the land told American Farmland Owner that it has something few properties can boast: the perfect combination of everything you want inside one contiguous tract of land.
“This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime listings,” said Jake Sickels, Land Agent with Peoples Company.
Located just south of Norwalk, the 225-acre Alice Joan Hansen Estate is hidden behind a gated entrance and located next to Zo-El Annett Woods, an area that includes a scenic trail, suspension bridge, and hiking paths.
Sickels said the property, listed at $2,194,140, is part cropland, part recreational land, and checks every box:
Income-producing row crops
Native CRP habitat
Timber
Recreation
Water
Privacy
Proximity to Des Moines
RELATED: Hunting property sales are strong in Illinois, according to what this land broker told American Farmland Owner in July.
A Legacy Property with Income Potential
Of the 225 acres, 146 are designated as cropland, with a Corn Suitability Rating (CSR2) of 73.3, signaling strong productivity. Over 91 acres are currently in row crop production, while 54.43 acres are enrolled in Conservation Reserve Programs (CRP), generating nearly $7,400 annually through conservation practices that support wildlife, soil health, and water quality.
“The land has been with the same family for about 40 years,” Sickels notes. “It’s a true legacy property, and one we originally helped them purchase.”
The CRP ground, coupled with row crops, means this property isn’t just beautiful. It is also functional and has the capacity to generate income.
A Recreational Haven in a Private Setting
Beyond agriculture, the Hansen Farm offers recreational appeal. Thick timber corridors, bottomland cover, and native grass fields attract whitetail deer, wild turkey, and upland game. The land also includes hardwoods and winding creeks.
“It’s right next to Zo-El Annett Woods, which is a conservation property,” said Sickels. “This area has some of the best hunting and habitat around. Whether you’re into bowhunting or just riding ATVs and enjoying nature, it’s an amazing spot.”
An old railroad right-of-way provides natural funnels for deer movement and ideal stand locations. “You’re in your own little world out here,” Sickels added, “but still close to civilization. That’s what makes it unique.”
A Future Homesite or a Forever Retreat
The farm also includes a scenic building site, nestled within the CRP fields and overlooking crop ground and timbered ridges. Utilities are accessible, and a 30’ x 48’ steel building is already in place for storage or equipment.
“It’s rare to find something this size, this close to Des Moines, that still feels so remote,” Sickels said.
Market Conditions: A ‘Slow Burn,’ Not a Slump
Sickels, who started his land career through a passion for hunting and rural real estate, emphasizes that the current land market is nuanced.
“Row crop land values are still tied to commodity prices and ag income,” he explained, “but recreational land is more sensitive to interest rates. Prices have come down in some cases but not because of lack of interest.”
Still, he said, the market isn’t distressed. “There’s not enough inventory or seller distress to really drive prices down. It’s more of a slow burn than a drought. For the right buyer — someone who wants to be involved in both ag and recreation — this is a standout property.”
And it’s not just hype, he believes. “I’ve been through every rural listing in the area,” Sickels said. “There’s really nothing else like this. That’s what makes it so cool. It’s truly one of a kind.”
