Welcome to Farmington, Iowa

Home of Indian Lake Park and the

Strawberry Festival

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One of Iowa's best kept secrets may be Shimek State Forest, nestled along the Des Moines River in the far southeast tip of the State.  Nearly 9,000 acres of oak and hickory trees, and more than 1,000 acres of pine plantations interspersed, the visitor is afforded the opportunity to view a multipurpose woodland used for timber production, wildlife management, and many recreational opportunities.

The forest is named after the late Dr. Bohumil Shimek, and Iowa naturalist and former University of Iowa professor.  During the 1930's, Shimek convinced the State to acquire vanishing forestland in Lee and Van Buren Counties, along with abandoned farms, which were depleted from more than a century of farming.  Then referred to as the "Lee and Van Buren State Forest, work began to reforest the open areas and the Civilian Conservation Corps planted many acres of hardwood and softwood stands.  These northern and southern species were trial demonstrations to determine adaptability to Iowa's climate.  The pines that predominate today, Easter white pine and red pine, have shown that the northern species have fared the best.

Land acquisition continued until pre-World War II days.  The name was changed again some time during the 1940's to the "Farmington State Forest."  Through an appropriation by the Iowa General ASsembly in 1964, an additional 3,000 acres were added in a purchase from the U.S. Forest Service.  These 3,000 acres were part of a larger holding intended to be part of the proposed "Hawkeye National Forest."  Reasons are still unclear as to why this national forest was dropped; however, the state forest system benefited greatly.  In 1950, Iowa honored the late Dr. Bohumil Shimek by naming the largest contiguous stand of State-owned forest after him.

Forestry demonstrations within Shimek State Forest include various plantings, thinnings, and harvests with emphasis on sustained yield management for the dominant white and red oaks, used for veneer and sawlogs.  Through private contractors, timberstand improvement or thinnings have been done for pulpwood, firewood, and Shiitake mushroom logs.  During the last two years, experiments through demonstration thinnings have been conducted to produce "Iowa-grown" softwood products from the many acres of pines.  Possible uses for landscape timbers, other products, which are currently "imported" to Iowa, are being marketed.  The establishment of a new market for forestry products with the wholesale industry can be linked to the cooperation of the Iowa Wood Industries Association.  This will have significant implications for expansion of the wood industry in Iowa and will ensure management production on more forested acres.

Picnicking, study, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, bicycling, mushroom hunting, hiking and horseback riding are all available at Shimek State Forest.

Forestry field days that address forestry issues for private landowners are held each September.  Spring and fall nature walks and outdoor days for students attract more than 2,000 individuals annually.  And, the very successful Forest Craft Festival, held at nearby Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, in October, is another major forestry event.  For information on these events, contact the area forester at Shimek State Forest, Farmington, Iowa, at (319) 878-3811.

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Last modified: 05/09/08

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