Where Farming Meets Community: Inside the Middlebrook Agrihood with Steve Bruere

For years, we’ve seen the rising demand: people looking for more than just a home. They want community. They want connection. They want to live where food, farming, and stewardship are part of daily life.

But while the vision for agrihoods has gained attention, real-world examples that fully integrate regenerative agriculture, diverse housing, and a true sense of place are still few and far between.

In this episode, Neal sits down with Steve Bruere, President of Peoples Company — one of the nation’s leading agricultural brokerages — to explore both the current state of regenerative agriculture and what it actually takes to bring one of these communities to life.

Steve isn't just advising from the sidelines — he’s developing Middlebrook, a 540-acre agrihood outside of Des Moines, Iowa that blends working farmland, residential neighborhoods, and vibrant mixed-use spaces. With a 20-acre organic farm at its core, Middlebrook represents a compelling look at where agriculture and placemaking intersect.

We dive into the shifts happening across the ag industry, the unique opportunities (and challenges) of building agricultural communities, and why projects like Middlebrook may just be the blueprint for a new kind of living.

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This podcast isn’t just about ideas—it’s about action. From these conversations, two organizations have emerged to bring regenerative real estate to life:

Latitude Regenerative Real Estate is the world’s first regenerative-focused real estate brokerage, dedicated to aligning values-driven buyers and sellers. With a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes regions, Latitude also supports purpose-driven developments across North America through strategic marketing and branding services. If you're looking to buy, sell, or amplify a regenerative project, Latitude is your trusted partner.

Hamlet Capital is an investment and development firm committed to building resilient communities rooted in working farms. If you’re developing an agrihood or conservation community, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can turn visionary ideas into thriving, place-based investments.