Quad Citizens to Know: John and Joan Maxwell

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Cinnamon Ridge Farms in Scott County reflects generations of agricultural heritage. A fifth-generation farmer by lineage, John Maxwell grew up surrounded by agriculture, with family roots in the Quad Cities dating back to 1855. Alongside his wife Joan, the Maxwells have built Cinnamon Ridge into a model of modern agriculture, blending conservation, technology, robotics, genetics, and data analytics.

John launched the farm in 1988 with just a dozen Jersey cows, a thousand dollars, and a loan that few believed would pay off. Rather than follow conventional practices, he leaned into innovation early, adopting no-till farming at a time when it was considered a radical practice. That decision paid off, earning him Iowa’s top soybean yield honors and eventually national recognition as the Nation’s Number One Farmer.

“And with that, John Deere came to me and said, “Will you do tours for us?,” said John,” and that's how I got (started) in the tour industry.”

John and Joan open the farm to visitors through immersive tours that prioritize transparency and education. The Maxwells say being able to offer these tours is their top priority, allowing visitors to experience real agriculture without stereotypes.

“I say to the group when I start to tour, “My favorite day is the day I get to give a tour. So, thanks for making my day.””

The tours are rooted in storytelling, from the humble beginnings of Cinnamon Ridge and Joan’s background working on a Minnesota farm with her late first husband to the advanced technology they’ve built the farm around for today’s needs. Together, they provide a source of education and inspiration.

“I tell the groups that the job you're destined for will find you, if you let it,” said Joan.

Joan plays a critical role in shaping those experiences, bringing her background in analytics, technology, and communications into the day-to-day operation. She regularly upends expectations about what a “farm wife” looks like without trying to.

“People come with a bias, but not necessarily an agenda,” she says. “They open up to our relationship as business people as well as caretakers of the land, but they also see what rural America really is like.”

One of the most memorable visitor experiences at Cinnamon Ridge is its signature charcuterie offering: artisan Jersey cheese made on-site, aged in an underground cheese cave, and paired with local wine or craft beer. And it’s all served in a barn overlooking the land that produces it.

Cinnamon Ridge Farms' mission is to “engage people through the experience of food and modern agriculture” and stands as a testament to what’s possible. A Quad Cities experience birthed from tradition, tweaked by innovation, and led with intention.

Visit Cinnamon Ridge Farms' website TourMyFarm.com to see their processes, products, tour information and more! Watch for events on the farm coming in summer of 2026! For all events happening in and around the Quad Cities, check out the community events calendar.

John and Joan's leadership have been recognized with the following awards: