Back the Barns Fundraising Campaign

The Iowa State Fair has a legacy of hosting high quality livestock shows. As you walk through the barns, one can’t help but notice a prominent fashion accessory, western-style belt buckles.  These buckles surpass functionality to show something special about the wearer, highlighting what is meaningful to them from an accomplishment in the ring, their family history or imagery of the animals they work with. These buckles are worn with pride, showcasing who the wearer is and what they want to be.

In recognition of the pride shown by our livestock exhibitors, the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation has created the “Back the Barns” campaign along with a commemorative belt buckle.  The livestock barns as a whole will undergo a major $25 million renovation. Each structure will have dedicated restoration in areas that are vitally needed such as roofing, flooring, electrical, restrooms and tuckpointing to name but a few.

“Back the Barns” is a way for anyone with a passion for youth in agriculture to support the renovation of the barns on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Providing youth with exceptional facilities in which to compete and showcase their hard work and skills every August is central to the Fair’s mission. Renovation of the historic, early 20^th century animal barns will give generations of Fairgoers the opportunity to continue the time-honored tradition of showing their livestock at the Iowa State Fair.   

The Blue Ribbon Foundation received an initial $5 million donation from the Richard O. Jacobson Foundation to kick-start the renovation project.  Jeff and Deb Hansen and Iowa Select Farms have committed $2 million specifically for the Swine barn portion of the renovation. The Foundation will also receive $12 million from the state’s “Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund.”

Please back our barns renovation by joining this campaign to enhance the Fairgoer experience for years to come. Members of the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s “Back the Barns” campaign are those generous donors who have pledged $1,000 per year for 3 years in support of the Iowa State Fair’s historic livestock barn restoration project.  And yep, you really do get a special belt buckle to commemorate your investment.

It’s a mutual support program – we’ll help hold up your pants; you'll help hold up our roof.

• Your membership can be paid in many ways
  
  • A one-time $3,000 gift
  • An annual gift of $1,000 for a 3 year term
  • Quarterly gifts of $250 for a 3 year term

These belt buckles don’t just represent the rich agriculture heritage of Iowa but are a symbol of your generosity in supporting the next generation of 4-H and FFA youth that will lead our state.

In addition to your one-of-a-kind belt buckle, your name will be listed on a plaque recognizing donors when the project is complete.  Your support of the barn restoration project will guarantee the tradition of showing livestock at the Iowa State Fair continues to  grow year after year.

Thank you -  Join Today!