Kroger farm history

My grandfather, Hans Kroger was born in Germany in 1902. He immigrated to the United States working as a farm hand with his sponsor. He purchased a 160-acre farm near Hartley, Iowa from Henry & Bertha Shore on October 4, 1941. In 1951 he and his wife Otilla built a new house, their family lived in the basement while the upper level was being finished. Hans & Otilla raised 4 children in this house, 3 girls; June, Ruth and Karen and the youngest a son, Kenneth. Hans worked hard on the farm raising corn, soybeans, hogs, cattle and also milking dairy cows. Otillia raised the chickens.

My parents Kenneth & Glenda Kroger took over the farm work in 1963, moving into the farm house in 1968. Our family of 5 included my parents, 2 sons Kim (me), and Monte as well as my little sister Kendra. Dad worked the farm raising corn, soybeans and hogs. Monte & I raised chickens, calves and pigs showing at both the Obrien and Clay County Fairs in 4H and FFA. My folks increased their hog production by adding a nursery unit. They also added a drying bin and storage bins for the corn used as feed for the animals.

Hans died in 1971. After Grandma Otillia died in 2001, my parents bought the acreage in 2002. The farm ground was split between the 4 kids equally. My parents remodeled the house adding a family room and attached 2 car garage in 2006. My 3 aunts sold their acres of the farm ground to a neighbor. My dad kept his 40 acres which I & my wife, Jayne rented from him. Dad continued to help us harvest by hauling grain to the coop. Our 3 children, Dallen, Keith and Kassandra would help Grandpa as needed, especially weening pigs. My parents sold the acreage and moved into Hartley in 2019. My parents later sold the farm ground in 2023 to Brent Reick.

Dad grew up on this farm helping his dad. I grew up on this farm helping my dad and later farming the ground. In total I worked on this farm for 50 years. 4 generations of Kroger’s have worked on this farm. It was very emotional combining the final crop. This whiskey is made from that final crop as a reminder of our family farm. The barn on the label still stands on the farm today.

Cheers!

Kim Kroger

Corn to Whiskey