How Drost Brothers Popcorn Got Started

Guest blog by Jackson and Amanda Drost - Mahaska County, Iowa

The Land Management team is excited to share this inspiring story written by our valued tenants, Jackson and Amanda Drost, about their child’s popcorn business that has grown into a thriving family endeavor.

At Peoples Company, we value innovation, dedication, and teamwork - qualities the Drost family exemplifies and that we strive to foster in all our tenant relationships. The Drosts are an Iowa-based farming family who lease farmland from a Peoples Company client in Mahaska County. Since taking on the Johnson farm, the Drosts have actively implemented conservation practices and made meaningful improvements to the land.

Their journey is not only heartwarming, but also a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passion and persistence are combined with strong family and community support. Peoples Company is proud to be a customer of Drost Brothers Popcorn, with their popcorn featured in our 2025 holiday appreciation baskets.

We invite you to read their story below - and don’t forget to connect with the family on social media to follow their journey and show your support!

Our oldest son, Richard (11), has been growing popcorn since he was six. The idea started after Jackson told him how he used to grow popcorn as a kid. Richard thought that sounded fun and wanted to try it himself. We let him plant some popcorn in our sweetcorn patch that first year. He picked it by hand and hand shelled it with his grandpa in our shop as their winter project after school. We had enough to pop for ourselves, and he was proud of it.

Taking It a Step Further

By the time he was eight, Richard asked if he could grow more and try selling some. We agreed as long as he was willing to put in the work. He planted a little more of both yellow and white varieties, and when he was nine, he started selling to friends, family, and at a couple of local vendor fairs.

We took a photo of the boys that first day they picked popcorn to sell - it was a cold October morning, and they were out there hand-picking ears. That photo ended up becoming the logo for Drost Brothers Popcorn.

Everyone Pitches In

Since then, Richard’s grown more each year. In 2024, he planted four times what he did the year before. He keeps track of expenses, pays his cousins and neighbors to help pick, and covers his own costs (except for the land). We don’t pay for labor or materials but we’re always around to help when he needs it.

Andy, our youngest, is five, and he helps out too. He’s not making big business decisions, but he loves picking popcorn and running the old sheller. Selling is his favorite part, and he’ll tell just about anyone why they should buy their popcorn.

A New Product Idea

Last year, Amanda saw popcorn on the cob being sold at a local store - the kind you can pop in the microwave directly off the cob. She brought one home to show Richard, and that kicked off a little family project.

After lots of testing (and a few busted bags in the microwave), we figured out how to cut the cob to the right length, which kind of paper bag to use, and how to package it. The boys now sell two shrink-wrapped cobs in a pack, with two paper bags and instructions. We all helped put them together - usually at night when things slowed down.

The on-the-cob packs were a hit, especially during the holidays. They sold out fast, and Richard’s goal is to get them into local retail shops. We are looking into the proper licensing so we can make this happen for him.

How It All Comes Together

Harvest starts in late September. Most of it is picked by hand. After that, the popcorn dries with fans until the moisture is just right. Then we test small batches by popping it - partly for quality control, partly for a snack!

Most Saturdays in October are spent shelling, cleaning, or packaging. Once shelled, the popcorn is cleaned with an air compressor and stored in totes until it’s ready to be bagged. Packaging usually goes through winter and wraps up by February. Andy helps with bagging kernels, and he’s always ready to crank the sheller when needed.

What They’re Learning

This year, Richard planted mostly yellow popcorn since it seemed to sell better than white. He’s paying attention to what people want and adjusting as he goes.

We’ve also had a lot of conversations about money, and Jackson sat down with the boys and explained a few options. Richard decided to put most of his popcorn earnings into a mutual fund. The only thing he’s bought so far is a small farm toy. Andy wanted a camping tent (which he got), but the rest of his money also went into a mutual fund. Jackson sits down the boys quarterly and shares how their mutual fund has grown.

We’re trying to help them think long-term - not just about making money, but about using it wisely. Richard is learning how to keep records, sales vs. expenses, and logistical planning. The boys are also gaining social skills by interacting with customers and vendor fairs and anyone that buys popcorn from them.

We’ve told them from the beginning this is their thing. If they decide they’re done tomorrow, that’s totally up to them. But for now, they’re still learning a lot and having fun with it. Maybe someday, their popcorn sales may help buy them their first farm?

In 2025, their popcorn was used at a couple of varsity basketball games at school and was the official popcorn of the New Sharon Little League, where both boys play. The Little League alone went through 280 pounds of popcorn kernels.

They’ve planted more than ever this year, and we don’t think they’ll have much trouble selling it.

This year, we launched a business Facebook page, Drost Brothers Popcorn , where we share updates and photos of their journey. We also set up a dedicated business inquiry email at DrostBrothersPopcorn@outlook.com to help manage communications.