Northeast Iowa – Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) honored the best in
heritage development during their Annual Golden Silo Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, April 8,
2009. More than 70 regional partners attended the event held at the Park Place Event Centre in
Cedar Falls.
Golden Silo Awards are presented to individuals and organizations whose contributions
demonstrate outstanding excellence in preserving and telling the stories of American agriculture.
The following individuals and organizations were recognized:
Alan Hutchings Outstanding Visionary, Iowa Wine Trail
Honors an individual, organization, business, agency or local government who has shown
sustained support for the Heritage Area for more than five years, created a legacy in
heritage development and provided leadership in the heritage development movement.
Outstanding Preservation in Agriculture, Four Mounds, Dubuque
Honors an individual, organization, project, business, agency or local government who
has made an extraordinary effort in preserving the icons to the story of American
agriculture.
Outstanding Partner, Grout Museum District, Waterloo
Honors an organization, institution or individual who has shown support and partnered
with SSNHA on numerous occasions to create awareness for the Heritage Area.
Outstanding Volunteer, Hollis & Bev Ryken, Ackley Heritage Center, Ackley
Honors an individual who has given tirelessly to SSNHA.
“People’s Choice” – Site of the Year, Reiman Gardens, Ames
For the first time, SSNHA called for nominations and asked partner sites and visitors to
vote online for their favorite site of the year. Finalists included Motor Mill Historic Site,
Elkader; and Mines of Spain Recreation Area, Dubuque.
Providing the keynote for the event was Fred Kirschenmann, SSNHA Board Chair and Leopold
Center Distinguished Fellow. Named one of the top 20 most influential people who will change
our world by Plenty Magazine, Kirschenmann is a leader in the organic/sustainable agriculture
movement.
“We are blessed in the Heritage Area with many wonderful ambassadors for agriculture’s past,
present and future,” commented Don Short, SSNHA President. “The Golden Silo Awards honor
their selfless dedication and commitment.”
SSNHA is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an Affiliated Area of
the National Park Service. The Heritage Area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of
Iowa. Interstate 80 borders it on the south and Interstate 35 borders it on the west. Through a
network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA interprets farm life, agribusiness and rural
communities – past and present. To learn more about Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage
Area, please visit www.silosandsmokestacks.org.
Topics: Press Releases
Related Attractions:
Reiman Gardens – Iowa State Universtiy
1407 University Blvd
Ames, IA
515-294-2710
Ackley Heritage Center
Heritage Center Museum, 120 State St
Ackley, IA
641-847-8070
