HUDSON GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Hands-On Harvest: Milk a Cow, Make Butter and Taste the Farm at Hansen's Dairy
A two-hour guided farm-to-table tour at Hansen's Dairy in Hudson that includes a trolley ride, animal interactions, hand-milking, butter-making and product sampling — this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
Hands-On Harvest: Milk a Cow, Make Butter and Taste the Farm at Hansen's Dairy.
On this guided farm tour you move from cow to table: a trolley delivers you to the working farm, a walking route threads past animals and facilities, and every participant can feed a calf, milk a cow by hand, make homemade butter and sample Hansen’s products and ice cream.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Trolley to the Farm and a Walking Tour
Admission includes a trolley ride to the farm followed by a walking tour over gravel paths to see animals and dairy facilities — a gentle mix of seated and on-foot activity.
Milk by Hand and Make Butter
Participants get close to the process: feed a calf, hand-milk a cow, and take part in making homemade butter — tactile, simple tasks that illuminate how milk becomes what’s on your table.
Sample Products and Eat Ice Cream
Tours conclude with samples of Hansen’s dairy products and ice cream, and there are opportunities to purchase perishable items to take home.
What the day feels like
What the Tour Feels Like
Over two hours you shift from a short seated trolley ride to an active, hands-on walking circuit across gravelly ground. The pace is deliberate: animal interactions and demonstrations are interleaved with participatory activities (feeding calves, milking, butter-making) and end with tasting and a chance to buy products.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and who should take extra care.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The guided tour runs approximately 2 hours.
Meet at Hansen's Dairy in Hudson, Iowa for check-in and boarding the trolley to the farm.
Bring water, a camera, closed-toed shoes and clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty; rain gear if needed and layers in cooler months. If purchasing perishables, bring a cooler for your car.
After the tour you can purchase products with credit/debit, Tap to Pay, Venmo or cash.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The guided farm tour runs about 2 hours.
Where do we meet?
Meet at Hansen's Dairy in Hudson, Iowa for check-in and the trolley departure to the farm.
What are the ticketing ages and prices?
Tickets for ages 5 and up are $23.00; infants ages 4 and under are free.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Walkers and wheelchairs are welcome but much of the route is gravel and bumpy; larger-wheeled wheelchairs work best. The trolley and the milking parlor have limited accessibility — call (319) 242-1074 before booking to discuss needs.
What should I bring and wear?
Bring water and a camera; wear closed-toed shoes and clothing you don't mind getting a little dirty. Bring rain gear if rain is expected and dress in layers in cooler months.
Do tours run in the rain?
Tours are typically not canceled for rain; come prepared with rain gear or umbrellas.
How can I pay for products after the tour?
The farm accepts credit/debit, Tap to Pay, Venmo and cash for product purchases after the tour; bring a cooler in your car if you plan to buy perishable items.