Central Iowa-area food lovers, take note: a one-of-a-kind farm-to-table experience is headed your way. H8R Acres and Crafted Food Services are teaming up for an evening of flavor and community that puts locally raised lamb at the center of the plate. The event, hosted at Moxie Kitchen + Events, promises to be both a culinary celebration and an educational opportunity for home cooks curious about this often-underused protein.

The evening kicks off with a cocktail and grazing board hour, followed by a three-course dinner prepared by local culinary powerhouse Chef Jacob Schroeder. Known for his warm hospitality and ingredient-driven cuisine, Schroeder will guide guests through approachable, delicious lamb dishes perfect for recreating at home. Dessert will follow, and Moxie Kitchen will offer a cash bar throughout the night.

The idea for the event was sparked by real conversations with curious customers. During past farm-to-table events, attendees often commented that it was their first time eating lamb, said Annie Palmer of H8R Acres, who co-owns the farm with Aaron Roth. We’ve also heard similar feedback from people who buy our meat locally many hadn’t tried lamb before or weren’t sure how to prepare it. We wanted to change that. 

By creating this experience, Palmer and Roth hope to introduce more Central Iowans to the flavor and versatility of lamb while building lasting connections between producers and consumers.

 I hope our guests walk away from this event confident in preparing lamb in their own kitchens, said Palmer. And of course, I hope they’ll choose H8R Acres lamb in the future. 

Located just 25 minutes from Des Moines, H8R Acres is a small but dynamic farm raising Navajo Churro sheep and Berkshire pigs using sustainable practices. Their lambs are born each February and raised to market weight on the farm. Annie and Aaron s hands-on approach allows them to offer a transparent and traceable food source to local customers.

The event also reflects the collaborative spirit of the local farming community. For events like this, we’ve worked with other Warren County producers like Cortum Farm & Co., MmMmGood-Hue Produce, Byers Dairy Farm, and BA Family Farms, Palmer shared. It’s an incredible experience to come together and create meals entirely sourced from right here in our community. 

Palmer’s leadership in agriculture has been shaped, in part, by her involvement in Farm Bureau. From receiving a scholarship my senior year of high school, to earning the Grow Your Future award, and now serving on the Warren County Farm Bureau board, Farm Bureau has given me opportunities to grow both professionally and personally, she said. It’s helped me advocate more effectively for the ag industry. 

The partnership with Chef Schroeder is a natural fit. A self-described all-purpose flour of hospitality, Schroeder wears many hats from private chef to co-owner of Moxie Kitchen + Events. His passion for local ingredients and culinary education aligns perfectly with H8R Acres mission.

This evening of lamb, learning, and local connection is a chance to support small farms, expand your cooking skills, and enjoy an unforgettable meal along the way.

Tickets are available now at: www.eventbrite.com/e/live-laugh-lamb-tickets-1249555035749?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl