LAUREL — On a pleasant late spring night in central Iowa, more than 40 attended the first ever “Party in the Pasture” event on Oak Ridge Ranch north of Laurel.

It was exactly as advertised. The setting was a pasture and attendees brought lawn chairs and bug spray. A number wore boots – all recommended by the hosts.

Attendees had the opportunity to purchase fresh menu items ranging from chili dogs to nachos – all prepared by host and ranch co-owner Missy Sharer-Pieters and friends from a nearby food cart.

“We were very pleased with the turnout and we are thankful the weather cooperated with us,” said Sharer-Pieters. “We are tentatively planning for a second party in early fall. No specific date set but thinking pre-harvest.”

Baskets containing farm fresh produce were available for purchase too.

“I saw this on Facebook and thought I would come out,” said Kim Rubenbauer of Dillion.

“This is relaxing,” said fellow attendee Ellen Nicky of Marshalltown. “I would attend something like this monthly.”

In addition to the food and setting, an event highlight was the acoustic guitar duo Bon Jecci. The group’s names are derived from the spelling of guitarist John Jacobson and Becci West names. Both live in Marshalltown.

Fittingly, their stage was a rustic farm wagon and nearby were the Pieters’ cattle, who would occasionally moo during the performance. Bon Jecci has played together for nine years, said West.

“We perform music over the decades,” West said before their performance.

The duo is busy and performs in the central Iowa area and has performed in other communities including Fort Dodge, said Jacobson.

“We just got put together,” said West.

“I saw her at a karaoke event and asked her if she wanted to get together and play a little bit,” Jacobson, who had previously been in a country-western band, said. “I thought we would try it.”

“I about lost my gourd,” said West. “I’ve always wanted to do this, and here we are.”

Sharer-Pieters lives on and works the farm where she grew up. Partners are her mother Sue (nee Fuller) Sharer and husband John Pieters.

Sue’s late husband and Missy’s father Michael “Mick” Sharer was extremely active on the farm before he passed away in 2020 at age 78, Sharer-Pieters said.

Sharer-Pieters is a well-known Marshalltown area cattle rancher, businesswoman and artist. She owns and operates Messy Missy’s art studio in Marshalltown and the Pitchfork Primitive and Fodder Restaurant in Laurel. The restaurant, located at 203 S. Main St., opened in 2017 and offers a farm-to-table dining experience with unique gifts and original art, according to its Facebook page. Business hours are Wednesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 641-691-5205.

Sharer-Pieters participated in a chef’s contest last year, and as part of the process, was interviewed in the studio by WHO-TV13’s anchor/reporter Jannay Towne.

“I made it to the final four of my group,” she said. “There were four groups, so I guess we can say I made it to the Sweet 16 of the contest. Ha!”

Pieters has won numerous awards for her art issued by the Iowa State Fair.

“Missy is the most creative person I know,” said friend Ann Stalzer of rural Marshalltown upon arriving for the event.