Help us tell the story of American Agriculture.
What do we do now? That’s the question that always gets asked after a big milestone or celebration. Now that we are past our 25th anniversary what’s next for Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. I’m happy to say we have some great things in the works!
We are working to expand our stories to include the diversity of people who have contributed to the success of agriculture in Iowa. We are working with experts in the field of telling diverse stories. And we’re providing resources to our sites that want to enhance the story in their communities to include all people. As we move into our next quarter century we have made a long-term commitment to find and tell the stories of all people working in Iowa agriculture.
A project that we want to complete in the very near future is the Phase 2 work of our headquarters in Waterloo, Iowa. We have only been in our space at 305 W. Park Ave a few short years. We always knew there was more we wanted to do in order to provide an engaging space for people to come and learn where they can go to experience the story of American agriculture. Our next phase of the work includes adding an area for children to discover what they may be interested in learning, as well as enhancing our “Discovery Kiosk”. This kiosk features snippets of all our heritage sites to peak the curiosity of visitors to find out more. We hope both of these new areas will encourage young and old alike to discover more of the stories of agriculture within the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.
But, as are many of you, we are struggling under the increasing costs to complete projects. Printing costs, gas costs to travel to our sites, materials for completing our headquarters and basic supply costs have all risen significantly. We need $100,000 to complete the work of projects moving into 2023. Whatever you can give to help us meet our goals would be greatly appreciated.
We know that the heritage area has many friends and fans. We hope this is the year you step up to help us get our projects done. We need you now more than ever.
Please take a moment to make your year-end gift to help us keep our work of telling and preserving the American agriculture story moving forward. We can’t do it without you!
Thank you for your support!
