Big as a Barn News: March 2024

Coming Soon!

Kevin Blair of the Macksburg, IA area will soon be joining WCI as Garden Programs Manager. Currently the Agriculture Education Teacher/FFA Advisor at Orient-Macksburg & Nodaway Valley schools, Kevin will finish out the academic year before beginning his new job full time. In the meantime, he'll be doing some prep work at the Wallace Farm.

Kevin brings 35 years of experience as a high school agriculture instructor, plus a background in ag business and machinery operations. One of his priorities will be integrating WCI's new Geothermal Greenhouse into produce production and educational programming. We're excited to welcome Kevin to our team!

Hiring Garden Programs Intern

We're looking for a college student interested in learning about fruit and vegetable production at the Wallace Farm this summer. In addition to helping the Garden Programs Manager manage the garden and orchard, the Intern will participate in special projects, one of which could be integrating the newly completed geothermal greenhouse into food production and educational programs. $450/week, basic housing available. Occasional evening/weekend work may be required. Minimum of 10 weeks, maximum of 14 weeks – actual dates TBD. Description & application info here.

Prairie Grasses & Flowers

Grab your paint brushes! Starting March 15, you can reserve one or more primed 2' x 2' Prairie Art boards and take part in the summer-long exhibit. This year's theme of "Prairie Grasses & Flowers" offers a host of creative possibilities of all ages and skill levels. To cover the cost of materials, boards are just $10 each and you can claim yours after the exhibit is over. Your masterpiece is due back to the Wallace House or the Wallace Farm by Friday, May 10. Boards will be on display in the prairie starting May 31 through October 1.

To reserve your board, visit the Prairie Art Exhibit web page. The online reservation process gathers your contact information and payment. Amy and Colette will be in touch soon after with pickup details.

NEW! American Dreamer Online

In this new online program, watch Iowa actor Tom Milligan portray Henry A. Wallace in the one-act play “American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace”, then stay tuned for expert insight from historians Dr. Pamela Riney-Kehrberg and Dr. Timothy Walch.

The free program is available to anyone, but history classes, book clubs and study groups may have a particular interest. Simply fill out a short request form on the American Dreamer web page and the video link will be provided in just a few days. A study guide and timeline are also available. Grants from the Iowa Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area supported this project.

Not to be Overlooked

In a salute to corn producers, the Adair County (Iowa) Free Press highlighted the Henry A. Wallace Historic Corn Plot at the Wallace Farm in its Jan. 24 issue.

Started in 2021, the 50' x 100' plot features five different varieties of open-pollinated and hybrid corn. The earliest variety dates to 1847; the most recent was introduced in 2014. Henry A. Wallace worked with some of the earliest varieties; later varieties were developed from some of his work.

"This plot is a chance for people to get up close to what they usually pass by at 55 miles an hour," commented Deb Houghtaling, President & CEO. "You can really see how corn has changed over the years." The Henry A. Wallace Historic Corn Plot is sponsored in part by Corteva Agriscience.

Get Your Name Out There

Sponsoring WCI's programs or events like Pizza on the Prairie at the Wallace Farm or Hearts & Homes Luncheons at the Wallace House are a great way to get your name or business in front of people who share an interest in the Wallace Centers of Iowa.

Beginning at just $250, sponsorship levels can include your name featured on a program webpage, print materials, signage, newsletters, social media posts and more.

Want to find out more? Email Ann or call her at 515.243.7063.

Connect with us!

Visit us online at wallace.org

The Wallace Centers of Iowa

Wallace House: 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314

Wallace Farm: 2773 290th Street, Orient, Iowa 50858