Producing the Future
How the families of Muscatine Island fight to keep a legacy alive.
Jolie Archer | Photographer
Sarah Fournier | Reporter
Hannah Neuville | Videographer
On a Sunday afternoon in late May, Shane Mairet, his family, and close employees fall into position without speaking, following the rhythm of farmers who came before on Muscatine Island. The conveyor belt comes to life and towers of empty buckets wait along the barn wall, ready to be filled with soil. Mairet tends to the machine as soil pours through the chute, while one worker slides buckets beneath it in a quick motion. Pat and Gene, once long time customers, now dependable employees, lift the filled buckets and pass them to Mairets’ sons, Maverick, 8 years old, and Landon, 5 years old. The boys stand on the flatbed wagon, making rows of buckets that will soon bloom into chrysanthemums to sell for the farm’s July through October season. Maverick darts to the end of each row to straighten the buckets while Landon presses his fingers into the soil.
Every second on the farm counts for the family running one of the last two produce farms on Muscatine Island.
Every second on the farm counts for the family running one of the last two produce farms on Muscatine Island.
Shane Mairet and his family work together to keep the farm running on Muscatine Island. After a long day at work, rest is needed.
Shane Mairet and his family work together to keep the farm running on Muscatine Island. After a long day at work, rest is needed.
FOUNDING OF THE SOIL
Muscatine Island, once entirely covered by water, stretches 50 square miles. The name “Muscatine” traces back to the native tribe “Mascoutin” who lived in the region centuries ago.
When shifting currents caused the land to appear above the river water around 1845, it gifted this soil that later became the grounds of the Islands’ successful agriculture. The soil was fast draining with natural high sugars which was perfect for the sweetness that made Muscatine melons famous. Eventually, levees were built to keep the river from overflowing the land, protecting the farms that began to take hold.
For generations, many family farming enterprises grew across the fertile region, and Muscatine Island became known as the place for growing the sweetest melons. Now, the Mairets and the Taylors are the last two remaining families working to keep the produce legacy alive.
When shifting currents caused the land to appear above the river water around 1845, it gifted this soil that later became the grounds of the Islands’ successful agriculture. The soil was fast draining with natural high sugars which was perfect for the sweetness that made Muscatine melons famous. Eventually, levees were built to keep the river from overflowing the land, protecting the farms that began to take hold.
For generations, many family farming enterprises grew across the fertile region, and Muscatine Island became known as the place for growing the sweetest melons. Now, the Mairets and the Taylors are the last two remaining families working to keep the produce legacy alive.
THE HOOPES LEGACY
Businessman W.H. Hoopes saw the potential of Muscatine Island’s rich fertile soil and bought land to start farming in 1874. By 1880, the Rock Island Railroad Depot opened in the center of Muscatine Island, known as Fruitland. That same year, the first shipment of melons left by rail; from that moment on, Fruitland became the way for melons to reach the nation.
The influence of the railroads are still felt today by the vibrations of a train running through the county and the thuds beneath cars as they cross tracks.
By 1899, the Hoopes family was producing 900 acres of sweet potatoes, melons, cabbage, peas, tomatoes, and more. By the 1920s, the fields expanded to eggplants, rhubarb, asparagus, and more. Much of the produce fed the people of the Midwest, and at times shipments extended as far as Florida and New York.
The influence of the railroads are still felt today by the vibrations of a train running through the county and the thuds beneath cars as they cross tracks.
By 1899, the Hoopes family was producing 900 acres of sweet potatoes, melons, cabbage, peas, tomatoes, and more. By the 1920s, the fields expanded to eggplants, rhubarb, asparagus, and more. Much of the produce fed the people of the Midwest, and at times shipments extended as far as Florida and New York.
The watermelon slice sign that now reads “Mairet's” once said “Hoopes Melon Shed”, the marker for the Hoopes family who built a farming empire on the very same soil.
The watermelon slice sign that now reads “Mairet's” once said “Hoopes Melon Shed”, the marker for the Hoopes family who built a farming empire on the very same soil..
In 1889, just fifteen years after Hoopes started farming, Acme Publishing Company wrote that Hoopes had “made the once despised flats of Muscatine Island to blossom as the rose, and spread its fame far and wide throughout the country.”
The influence of Hoopes continued to prove itself through the county. By the 1930s roadside stands lined Muscatine Island and at one point, almost every grower on the island had a fruit stand. According to a 1964 article in the Muscatine Journal, the airport near what is now Mairet Farms became a place for pilots to fly in, grab a few melons or other fruits from a stand, and take off again.
Decades later, the Hoopes legacy remains at the last two produce farms on Muscatine Island.
The influence of Hoopes continued to prove itself through the county. By the 1930s roadside stands lined Muscatine Island and at one point, almost every grower on the island had a fruit stand. According to a 1964 article in the Muscatine Journal, the airport near what is now Mairet Farms became a place for pilots to fly in, grab a few melons or other fruits from a stand, and take off again.
Decades later, the Hoopes legacy remains at the last two produce farms on Muscatine Island.
The Last Produce Farms of Muscatine Island
This fertile section of land follows the southern bank of the Mississippi River along the boarder of Illinois and Iowa.
This fertile section of land follows the southern bank of the Mississippi River along the boarder of Illinois and Iowa.
THE GENERATIONS OF THE HOOPES FAMILY
While flowers bloom around the yard and longboards rest in the grass, Jackson and Charles Kiwala point proudly to the lawn. “The grass was the hardest part to grow,” Charlie said, standing in front of the house that brought the family back together, an idea their mother, Holly Hoopes presented.
The twins, sixth generation of the Hoopes family legacy, were surrounded by agriculture early on. Jack went to Iowa State University for horticulture and due to his family history, was counted on a lot at the school. At one point, the class was researching cantaloupes and students would ask for his opinion. “I was sort of like the local melon expert for a minute,” Jack said.
After moving around a lot through the U.S., the twins found themselves back in Muscatine, standing on the soil that shaped the five generations before them, growing plants that bring them back to their roots of cultivating.
When the twins’ grandfather, John Hoopes, was still farming, he taught the twins' father, John Kiwala, how to farm. “I said yes in a nanosecond,” Kiwala said. Ever since, farming has remained a part of his life.
The twins, sixth generation of the Hoopes family legacy, were surrounded by agriculture early on. Jack went to Iowa State University for horticulture and due to his family history, was counted on a lot at the school. At one point, the class was researching cantaloupes and students would ask for his opinion. “I was sort of like the local melon expert for a minute,” Jack said.
After moving around a lot through the U.S., the twins found themselves back in Muscatine, standing on the soil that shaped the five generations before them, growing plants that bring them back to their roots of cultivating.
When the twins’ grandfather, John Hoopes, was still farming, he taught the twins' father, John Kiwala, how to farm. “I said yes in a nanosecond,” Kiwala said. Ever since, farming has remained a part of his life.
(Left) John Kiwala is ready to give tours to those who are interested in the history of Muscatine Island. (Right) Charlie and Jack Kiwala sit on their front porch, admiring the town where they grew up and how it has changed over the years.
Charlie and Jack Kiwala sit on their front porch, admiring the town where they grew up and how it has changed over the years.
John Kiwala is ready to give tours to those who are interested in the history of Muscatine Island.
In 1986, the Hoopes Melon Shed moved from Stewart Road to Highway 61. Years later, the highway expanded and eminent domain forced the family to demolish some of their fields. With the faster speed limit, fewer people stopped for melons. To bring more customers to the farm, Kiwala built a convenience store with a small restaurant to make buying melons an entire experience. Along with this, he formed a relationship with Fairway where he brought them produce and in exchange, they would put his watermelons on the front page of their flyers.
By 2009, the land that once held the Hoopes Melon Shed went up for sale and not much later, Shane Mairet stepped in. He took possession of the farm and has been carrying the legacy forward ever since.
By 2009, the land that once held the Hoopes Melon Shed went up for sale and not much later, Shane Mairet stepped in. He took possession of the farm and has been carrying the legacy forward ever since.
Hoopes Farm Price Comparison
Illustration of the prices that J. E. Hoopes Company sold produce for in 1926, compared to what the prices would be 100 years later in 2026.
Illustration of the prices that J. E. Hoopes Company sold produce for in 1926, compared to what the prices would be 100 years later in 2026.
HANDING IT DOWN
Mairet started his farm business on the sandy loam soils of Muscatine Island in 2009, at age 22. In 2015, his wife, Karin Mairet joined home. Over a decade later, the Mairets have built a foundation focused on family and produce farming.
Mairet had the same issues with the changing highway as Hoopes Melon Shed had, so he made changes as the years went on. He admitted that when he first began, he was mainly thinking about staying warm.
“I hate being cold in the winter, so the greenhouse worked really well for me” he said, smiling at how young and naive he was.
Like every farmer on the island, Mairet has faced setbacks other than the highway. Just last winter, he planted 2,000 apple trees, protected them from deer, guarded them from rabbits, and watered them carefully. But voles moved down the rows and chewed through the roots and stems, killing 1,900 trees. Since the trees take three years to order and another three to produce, the loss set him back six years.
Mairet waters the plants he is growing for the season while the sun beats down through the cover of the greenhouse.
Mairet waters the plants he is growing for the season while the sun beats down through the cover of the greenhouse.
To adapt to being a farm aligned with a highway, Mairet sold ice cream to bring people into the farm. This year, for the first time, he’ll be selling fudge. The biggest shift came during COVID-19, when he realized there wasn’t an entertainment factor for kids in Muscatine. So, he invested in agritourism, adding jumping pillows, slides, and a corn maze to the farm. Since then, he’s expanded to ziplines and a petting zoo, turning the farm into a place where families can buy produce and spend the entire day having fun.
Like many farms on Muscatine Island, the tradition of family farming continues. Maverick and Landon are eager to be like their dad. Maverick started growing yellow watermelons at age five and now at eight, he helps pickers decide which melons are ready.
Like many farms on Muscatine Island, the tradition of family farming continues. Maverick and Landon are eager to be like their dad. Maverick started growing yellow watermelons at age five and now at eight, he helps pickers decide which melons are ready.
Mairet and his family find the balance between home and farm life, finding a way to have fun wherever they are.
Mairet and his family find the balance between home and farm life, finding a way to have fun wherever they are.
“I need to learn too” Maverick said, holding a sheep steady while his dad attempted to shave one for the first time since he was fifteen. Meanwhile, Landon darts around the barn like one of the chickens, mimicking goat sounds and watching his brother and father sweat through this afternoon activity.
While this happens back at home, at the farm Mairet also runs a retail operation, custom cultivating for five different growers. They hand him a list of what they want seeded and he grows it whenever mother nature allows him to. Mother nature, another difficulty of running a farm.
While this happens back at home, at the farm Mairet also runs a retail operation, custom cultivating for five different growers. They hand him a list of what they want seeded and he grows it whenever mother nature allows him to. Mother nature, another difficulty of running a farm.
LOVE GROWS
Walking into the greenhouse at Taylor’s Market, laughter can be heard from Mary Taylor and her coworkers who tease one another like family. The Taylor family started growing produce on Muscatine Island in the 1980s and they “haven’t missed a year, even during Covid,” says Taylor.
On Memorial Day, Taylor sits inside the greenhouse with a sheet of paper, waiting for members of non profit organizations to pull into the market’s graveled road. Every year, at the end of their gardening season, the Taylors donate their remaining greenhouse plants to local organizations.
On Memorial Day, Taylor sits inside the greenhouse with a sheet of paper, waiting for members of non profit organizations to pull into the market’s graveled road. Every year, at the end of their gardening season, the Taylors donate their remaining greenhouse plants to local organizations.
Charity members at Taylor's Market walk around looking for plants on Memorial Day.
Charity members at Taylor's Market walk around looking for plants on Memorial Day.
“My mom and dad have been doing this for many years. Since 1980 I believe” Taylor calls out to the charity members. “I'd like to thank everybody for coming.”
As everyone waits for Taylor’s words, they look at the plants that surround them and their competitors beside them who will fight for the same plants. At exactly 8:00 a.m., Taylor claps her hands together, “let’s go” and everyone is let loose, eager to overflow their wagons with vibrant colors to bring them back to their organizations.
Taylors Market has been working with the community for years, making generations of the Taylor family work together, beginning with Mary’s parents George Taylor and Janice Bartenhagen. Today, her son, Jake, has returned to the farm as well.
“I like to be my own boss” Mary and Jake both say.
As everyone waits for Taylor’s words, they look at the plants that surround them and their competitors beside them who will fight for the same plants. At exactly 8:00 a.m., Taylor claps her hands together, “let’s go” and everyone is let loose, eager to overflow their wagons with vibrant colors to bring them back to their organizations.
Taylors Market has been working with the community for years, making generations of the Taylor family work together, beginning with Mary’s parents George Taylor and Janice Bartenhagen. Today, her son, Jake, has returned to the farm as well.
“I like to be my own boss” Mary and Jake both say.
Varieties of flowers bring the greenhouse to life while Mary Taylor gets them ready for their last few days.
Varieties of flowers bring the greenhouse to life while Mary Taylor gets them ready for their last few days.
Jake Taylor, who worked as an electrician from 2007 to 2009, eventually found his way back to the farm he grew up on. Today, his watermelons make their way to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Even with the success of spreading his watermelons around the state, the family’s greenhouse plant business remains their most reliable source of revenue as it is more consistent.
“If you have to work, this is the job you want.” said Elaine McCulley, a long time employee at Taylors Market. At the market, it goes further than just blood related families. Alongside Mary is her friend she met while away from the farm for a few years, Susan Langan. They followed each other back to the farm and have been working together for years. The dynamic between the friends that feel like family is felt by the first step inside the greenhouse.
Tom and Susan Langan reminisce on their long history of farming in Fruitland, part of Muscatine Island.
Tom and Susan Langan reminisce on their long history of farming in Fruitland, part of Muscatine Island.
Tom Langan, Susan’s husband, has his own beliefs as to why the produce farming has gone from over 2,500 acres of produce farming to nearly 100 on Muscatine Island. Melon picking, he explained, is entirely hand work, making it extremely labor intensive. As the number of farmers has dropped, so has the number of farming families.
With fewer farming families, “you get fewer kids for free labor” he laughs.
Tom added that it is difficult for small farms to compete with bigger corporations who can afford more technology and mechanization. He also said simply that people shop differently now. Lots of people grab their melons at the grocery store due to the convenience of it, and have less time to shop for fruits from a roadside stand.
Even with the challenges, the Taylors stay strong even in moments of difficulty. One time, Elaine and Mary accidentally dropped fifty trays of cantaloupe seeds and had to dig through the soil together to find every last one, they still laugh it off like it was just another day at Taylors.
When asked about their future, Mary turns to her grandson, Ryan.
“He’s gonna hate every bit of it because I did and his sister hates every bit of it. And then you go… and then you come back” Mary said.
With fewer farming families, “you get fewer kids for free labor” he laughs.
Tom added that it is difficult for small farms to compete with bigger corporations who can afford more technology and mechanization. He also said simply that people shop differently now. Lots of people grab their melons at the grocery store due to the convenience of it, and have less time to shop for fruits from a roadside stand.
Even with the challenges, the Taylors stay strong even in moments of difficulty. One time, Elaine and Mary accidentally dropped fifty trays of cantaloupe seeds and had to dig through the soil together to find every last one, they still laugh it off like it was just another day at Taylors.
When asked about their future, Mary turns to her grandson, Ryan.
“He’s gonna hate every bit of it because I did and his sister hates every bit of it. And then you go… and then you come back” Mary said.
"We just help when we're needed and we try to stay out of the way when we are not."-Maverick Mairet
"We just help when we're needed and we try to stay out of the way when we are not." Maverick Mairet