Northeast Iowa – Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) honored the best in
heritage development during their annual Golden Silo Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, April 4,
2012. Regional partners gathered at the Waterloo Center for the Arts in Waterloo, IA to honor
this year’s award recipients.
Golden Silo Awards are presented to individuals and organizations whose contributions
demonstrate excellence in preserving and telling the America’s agricultural story. The following
individuals and organizations were recognized for their contributions (photos available upon
request following event):
Keith Elwick, Vinton, IA
Hero in American Agriculture
New this year, the award honors an individual, organization, business, agency, or local
government who has been a catalyst in revolutionizing the industry of agriculture. By doing
just what they did, they changed the way we feed the world.
Carl & Mary Koehler History Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
Outstanding Interpretation
New this year, the award honors a Partner Site who has shown excellence in interpreting the
story of American agriculture
Dan McFarland, Hawkeye Buffalo Ranch, Fredericksburg, IA
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.
Ice House Museum, Cedar Falls, IA
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.
Hartman Reserve Nature Center, Cedar Falls, IA
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.
Geof Grimes, SSNHA Board of Trustees, Waterloo, IA
Amanda Schwartz, National Farm Toy Museum, Dyersville, IA
Outstanding Volunteer(s)
Honors an individual or organization who has given tirelessly to SSNHA.
Jenison Meacham Memorial Art Farm & Museum, Belmond, IA
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 Amana Heritage Society Museums, Amana Colonies, and
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, Iowa City.
Also featured at this year’s event was a special presentation by the Grout Museum District,
Waterloo, IA, from its farm story video history project. Iowa farmer Keith Elwick, who was also
recognized during the ceremony as a “Hero in American Agriculture,” shared his inspiring story
as an inventor on his farm near Vinton, IA. His ‘revolutionary’ Hawk Bilt manure spreader helped
transform agriculture worldwide and made him the first American to receive two British
implement prizes from the Queen of England. Thanks to the Iowa Farm Bureau for sponsoring
this year’s event.
“Every year we look forward to honoring these deserving individuals and organizations, and
each year I am more impressed with their accomplishments and dedication to the Heritage
Area,” 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
