Northeast Iowa – Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) honored the best in
heritage development during their annual Golden Silo Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, April 7,
2010. Regional partners gathered to honor award recipients at the Sky Event Center in
Waterloo.
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:
Seed Savers Exchange, Decorah
Alan Hutchings Outstanding Visionary
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.
Richardson-Jakway Historic Site, Buchanan County Conservation, Aurora
Outstanding Preservation in Agriculture
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.
African American Museum of Iowa, Cedar Rapids
Outstanding Partner
Honors an organization, institution or individual who has shown support and partnered
with SSNHA on numerous occasions to create awareness for the Heritage Area.
Cascade Community Enhancement Corporation, Cascade
Outstanding Volunteer
Honors an individual or organization who has given tirelessly to SSNHA.
Wapsipinicon Mill Museum, Independence
“People’s Choice” – Site of the Year
Honors a SSNHA Partner Site who has been voted for by the public to be their favorite
site of the year. Finalists included Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, Waterloo;
and Jenison-Meacham Memorial Art Center and Farm, Belmond.
Providing the keynote for the event was Mary Swander, Poet Laureate for the State of Iowa.
Swander performed a vignette from her play Farmscape, a docudrama capturing the changing
rural environment.
“This year’s Golden Silo Award recipients demonstrate the commitment and work ethic that has
made Iowa the center of American agriculture, feeding both the United States and the world,”
commented Don Short, SSNHA President.
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:
Jenison Meacham Memorial Art Museum & Farm
1179 Taylor Ave
Belmond, IA
515-293-0381
