Jersey cows with bells on their collars eating at the feed bunk in the free-stall barn
Donahue, Iowa · A family century farm

Robots milk the cows.We make the cheese by hand.

Visit a modern, state-of-the-art dairy, watch our Jersey herd come in to the robots on their own schedule, and taste the cheese we make from their milk, right here on the farm.

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1stin the nation overall for milk production, Jersey breed
#1for protein, and 5th overall for fat
5generations of Maxwells farming in Iowa
1988the year the Cinnamon Ridge story began
A tour group standing in front of the Country Cupboard farm store The Iowa Century Farm marker
Our story

A neglected farm, turned award-winning.

The story of Cinnamon Ridge began in 1988, on a farm that had been rented out and neglected. It was a chance to start fresh and turn a dream of owning a farm into reality.

Today it is a true family-owned and operated century farm. For five generations, the Maxwells have been farming and thriving in Iowa.

John MaxwellGrew up on the Century Farm near Walcott and began milking cows young.
Joan MaxwellRaised on a southern Minnesota farm; manages the farm’s data.
AmyThe sixth generation; manages all the dairy operations and has led the herd to its awards.
EdwinOur cheesemaker.
Farm tours

Come see it for yourself.

From robotic milking to cheese production: every tour is a mix of farm life, a little education and a tasting. Tours are by appointment.

Two tour coaches parked at the farm
$17 / person

Group Farm Tours

A slideshow on 50 years of the Maxwells’ farm, an equipment demonstration (weather permitting), the robotic dairy barn and cheese plant, then a cheese sampling.

Groups of 20+ · 1.5–2 hours
A row of Jersey cows with brass bells at the feed bunk
$15 / person

Behind the Barn Door

No group of 20 needed. See where the cheese is made, watch the robots milk the herd, then sample cheese upstairs, overlooking the free-stall barn.

Any size group · 10 am · about 2 hours
A young Jersey calf with an ear tag looking at the camera
$10 / child

Open Barn Saturdays

See the robotic milking system up close, plus the back scratchers and soft sand bedding where the cows rest. Bring the family or come solo.

Summer Saturdays · 10 am · 45–60 min
Slices of Cinnamon Ridge cheese fanned out on a board
$10 / person

Charcuterie Board

Add a charcuterie board of our own cheese to your group’s visit.

Add-on · groups of 20+
Request a group tourAsk about a tour
Jersey cows lined up eating in the bright free-stall barn
Humane milking

A barn where the cows call the shots.

Our Lely robotic milkers let every cow decide when she wants to be milked, strolling in at her own convenience, around the clock. It is a stress-free routine for the herd, and it gave our family its time back.

  • Lely robots, built right here in Pella, Iowa
  • Soft sand bedding and back scratchers in the free-stall barn
  • Top Producing Jersey Herd, 2019 – 2022
Cheese made in Iowa

Our family, feeding yours.

Farmstead cheese made right here from the milk of our Jersey cows. It all started with cheddar, and we went on to flavors you won’t normally find in a grocery store.

A cut wheel of farmstead cheese with a Cinnamon Ridge Farms knife
Cut from the wheel
Seasoned cheese curds in a silver dish beside grapes
Cheese curds
Slices of cheddar and pepper cheese fanned out on a board
Cheese blocks

Curd flavors

  • Boetjes & Whiskey
  • Dill Ranch
  • Garlic & Herb
  • Habanero
  • Jalapeño
  • Parmesan Basil
  • Ranch
  • Sriracha
  • SW Chipotle
  • Tomato Basil Garlic
  • White Cheddar

Block flavors

  • White Cheddar
  • Bacon Cheddar
  • Jalapeño Cheddar
  • Habanero Cheddar
  • Smoked Cheddar
  • Gouda
  • Smoked Gouda

Cave aged

  • Herbsen Rock
  • Cinnamon Ridge Select
  • Maxwell Munster
Shop our cheesesAsk about gift boxes
The Country Cupboard

At the end of our lane.

Our cozy on-farm store sits at the end of our half-mile driveway. Everything is made with love and care right here in the heart of the Midwest, alongside goods from our friends and neighbors.

  • Apple & rhubarb streusel bread
  • Banana bread
  • Honey wheat bread
  • Fresh-baked cookies
  • Homemade fudge
  • Our own dry-aged beef
  • Beef and pork
  • Our farmstead cheese

And don’t leave without a picture with our 12-foot ear of corn.

A Jersey cow looking out from the feed rail
From our visitors

The highlight of the trip.

You took risks, invested years of hard work, and now share your knowledge. It was the unexpected highlight of our river cruise.

Mississippi River cruise guests, from Wisconsin

The meal was delicious and we thoroughly enjoyed the cheese made right on your farm. The presentation on the history of your dairy farm was fascinating and we loved getting to see the cows "in action" during our tour!

Mike & Vickie, farm-to-table dinner
Top Producing Jersey Herd2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Top Solids Herd2019 – 2023
Hilmar Cheese Yield Award2018, 2022
US Dairy Sustainability Awardand the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award
Visit

Find us in Donahue.

Address
10600 275th St
Donahue, IA 52746
Tour hours
By appointment only
Monday – Friday, 7 am – 5 pm
Saturday, 9 am – 1 pm
Sunday, closed
Email
Info@CRFarms.Farm
Follow
Facebook · YouTube

Plan your visit

Group tours run for 20 or more; Behind the Barn Door tours welcome any size group. Tell us your date and how many are coming, and we’ll set it up.

Get directionsEmail us
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