Big as a Barn News: February 2024

We're hiring!

WCI has an exciting employment opportunity:

Chef/Director of Food Programming

Providing overall leadership for food programming and culinary services, this is a key and impactful role in carrying on the Wallace family legacy of connecting food, land and people. The Chef/Director of Food Programming will oversee Pizza on the Prairie, farm to table dining, educational program meals and the production of Abundance products. Review the job description and contact Deb if more info is needed.

Looking for a 2024 theme

It's about time to choose a theme for this year's Prairie Art exhibit! Past themes have sparked a lot of creativity from our community artists. Here's a recap:

2019: Wildflowers

2020: Pollinators

2021: Prairie Creatures Great & Small

2022: Roots & Wings

2023: Prairie Footprints

Got a great idea for this year's theme? Please email

Amy Zellweger with your thoughts. We'll carefully consider each suggestion before making the final decision. And stay tuned for all the details about painting your own board!

Pizza on the Prairie dates announced

It's not too early to start that summer bucket list! WCI's Pizza on the Prairie is definitely a "can't miss" event.

The 2024 season begins Friday, May 31 at the Wallace Farm and continues every Friday night through September 27. We expect to open reservations in mid May so watch your email for the exact date.

In the meantime, staff will be busy planning and making several improvements to the "whole-farm" experience including expanded visitor parking, new sound equipment and better signage.

Historic corn plot featured

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 5 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 corn plot is sponsored in part by Corteva Agriscience.

Thinking about your IRA?

If you are 70½ or older, you might be required to take a minimum distribution from your IRA. Do you know that you can give any amount up to $100,000 from your distribution to a charity of your choosing? By rolling over your IRA distribution directly to a qualified charity like Wallace Centers of Iowa, it qualifies as your required minimum distribution and you avoid having to include the distribution as taxable income. Interested? Please contact your IRA administrator for more info.



Note: WCI does not provide legal, tax or financial advice. When considering gifting options, seek the advice of your own legal, tax and/or financial professionals.

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