A piece of Amana history is being renewed through a collaborative effort to replace the aging wood floor of the historic Festhalle Barn, one of the Amana Colonies’ most recognizable places. Best known as the home of the Amana Colonies Oktoberfest, the Festhalle Barn, built in 1900, continues to welcome thousands of visitors and serves…
From his first day at the Amana Society which as fate would have it, was August 1, 2018, the very same day the ground-breaking ceremony was held to begin the restoration of the Amana Woolen Mill site for Hotel Millwright, Greg Luerkens’ time in the Amanas has been busy, challenging and yes, inspiring. Officially his…
AMANA, Iowa — December 2, 2025 — Amana Society, Inc. (ASI) today announced that Jason Brancel has been selected as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Brancel will provide strategic leadership and oversight for ASI’s diverse portfolio of businesses, which includes Amana Farms, the Service Company, Amana Meat Shop, Amana Furniture…
Amana Society Farm Manager John McGrath joined industry leaders as a panel expert at Cargill’s 2025 Risk Management Summit in San Francisco, sharing insights on practical strategies for managing agricultural risk. As global commodity markets face growing volatility—from supply chain disruptions to extreme weather events, Cargill’s Risk Management team plays an increasingly vital role in…
The Des Moines Register ran a piece on September 30th, 2025 (with companion photo gallery/video) spotlighting Amana Farms/Amana Society as one of Iowa’s largest landowners—highlighting its roughly 22,000-acre contiguous operation (crops, forest, pasture), its cattle feedlot, and the anaerobic digester that turns manure into electricity. It also sketches how the Amana community’s 170-year history led…
As fall harvest continues in our second season of strip-till planting, we look back on our video with Farms Manager John McGrath. This milestone reflects more than just a shift in technique—it represents the Amana Society’s continued commitment to sustainable farming practices that preserve our soil, protect water quality, and ensure a resilient agricultural legacy…
Experts still seeking answers on why trees are dying By Olivia Cohen | The Gazette AMANA — Despite deploying thousands of tests and running samples, researchers still haven’t determined why so many white oak trees across Iowa have died. Tivon Feeley, forest health program leader with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said although Iowa researchers…
The Amana Meat Shop & Smokehouse has earned Reserve Champion in the Small Diameter Smoked and Cooked Sausage Category at the 2025 American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) National Championship. The AAMP National Championship is the largest competition of its kind, judged by experts on appearance, consistency, and flavor. Earning the Reserve Champion title places…