Access & Directions

From Barneveld, take S Jones St. to County Rd K. Turn right onto County Rd K. Turn left onto Prairie Grove Rd. Turn right onto Arneson Rd. 

Google Map

Site Steward

Connect with the site steward to see how you can care for this rare habitat at an upcoming work party.

This site is stewarded by The Prairie Enthusiasts Empire-Sauk Chapter.

Site Steward: Rich Henderson (Email)

What Makes A to Z Farm Special

There are several  areas of remnant prairie that are being restored. The entire valley bottom of the farm is one big groundwater discharge area with wetland vegetation, springs and seeps that form the start of a cold water stream. The farm already supports rare species such as Hill’s thistle (Cirsium hillii), pomme-de-prairie (Psoralea esculenta) regal fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia), and a large population of marbleseed (Onosmodium molle). With management and restoration, the farm has good potential to provide diverse and critical habitat to a wide array of declining prairie species.

How was A to Z Farm Protected

A to Z Farm Industries was a dairy farm partnership between Hilton Arneson and John Zauner. When Hilton passed away in 2005, the farm was unable to stay in operation. Rather than seeing it become subdivided with houses, both Hilton’s family and John Zauner supported it going to conservation purposes instead, and they worked with The Nature Conservancy to accomplish this. Using grants from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, the Conservancy acquired the farm. They then sold 10 acres with the house and farm buildings to a private individual, and, tthen in 2007, donated the remaining 276 acres to The Prairie Enthusiasts to be part of our Mounds View Grassland preserve. We’re grateful to the Arneson family, John Zauner, The Nature Conservancy and the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund for making this possible.

How You Can Help A to Z Farm

The remnants on this property are being restored. Connect with the Site Steward to see how you can help. 

Check out our Events Calendar to see upcoming work parties or contact the site steward to get involved.