As we all know, livestock shows are a huge part of the Iowa State Fair. They provide youth with the opportunity to compete and showcase their skills, as well as entertainment to Fairgoers. At my first Fair, I remember walking through the barns and being amazed at the skill and hard work of the 4-H and FFA members. Now as an intern, I’ve learned even more about what goes into getting those spaces ready for the Fair – from the physical upkeep and renovations to the hard work from the livestock exhibitors. I’ve also enjoyed hearing stories from Chloe (public relations intern), and Jayce (business relations intern), who both have a history in showing animals at County and State Fairs.
The “Back the Barns” campaign supports youth in agriculture just like my fellow interns. It also makes it possible to host other events in the barns such as the Beef Expo and Open Show. This $25 million renovation project on the Cattle, Horse, Sheep and Swine Barns began in 2023 and has already shown great progress. Each barn, all built in the early 1900’s, will receive necessary renovations such as new roofing, lighting, flooring, painting, and more. Currently, the Sheep Barn is undergoing its second phase of renovations. Come Fair time, you will notice many updates such as a refurbished east entry, wood deck & masonry repair, new roofing, interior painting, as well as new restrooms and offices.
Future updates to the barns include: electrical improvements, Wi-Fi, and fire protection/sprinkler systems and some new HVAC systems.
Enough talk about the future; let’s talk about what we can do right now to get involved. Members of the “Back the Barns” campaign are generous donors who have pledged $1,000 a year for 3 years in support of our mission. Each gift goes directly towards the future renovations of the State Fair’s historic livestock barns. Membership may be paid in one of these three 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
Here’s the best part: members of “Back the Barns” each receive a special belt buckle to celebrate your investment in our mission. These unique belt buckles serve as a symbol of your part in supporting the next generation of 4-H and FFA youth that will lead our state. In addition to the buckle, your name will be displayed on a donor recognition plaque once the project is complete.
A special thank you to those donors who have joined the campaign:
Greg & Andrea Abel
A-O-K Family Farms Inc.
Jerry & Florida Arthur
Ernie & Paula Barnes
Darrell & Lynda Bauman
Larry & Kathy Beaty
Richard & Sharon Bender
Joel & Kirsten Bobb Family
Dean & Jill Borgman
In memory of Gary “Yogi” Braet
Terry & Chris Branstad
Alan & Deb Brown
Gene & Betty Burgett Family
In Memory of Roger Caltrider
Jeff Chelesvig
Bill & Ange Clark Family
Phil & Caren Clevenger
Tom & Sonya Colvin
Peter & Mary Cownie
Matt & Brandy Crawford
Paul & Kiki Curtis
Joel & Sandy Dieleman Family
Justin & Cara Dix Family
Alice Draper
Peter & Nancy Dyson
EPS
Fagle Farms
Falvey Family
Jeff & Vickie Farver
Brian & Jen Feldpausch Family
Richard & Mary Feldpausch Family
Tim & Phyllis Fevold
Randy & Vikki Fischer
Larry & Sandra Fleck
Tracy Forbes
Randy & Bonnie Forburger
John & Jane Frimml
Mike Gaul Family
Eric & Tara Gerdes Family
Michael & Ann Gersie
Get Families Back to Work
Bill & Marilyn Grochala Gorham
Adam & Katie Goshorn Family
Beth Grabau
Kathryn Griffin
John & Barb Hagie
Michelle Harland & Silas Harland
Danny Hartgers & Family
Hawk Angus Cattle Co.
Brent & Renee Highfill
David & Kathryn Houston
John & Shirleen Huber
Dean Hunziker
Iowa Mold & Engineering, Inc.
J.W. Welding, Inc.
James & Ashley Johnson Family
Tom & Robin Jurgens
Doug & Jessemynn Kanis
David & Irene Kasal
Julianna Kasper
Bill & Sarah Keel
Kenneth Kessler
Kollmorgen, Schlue & Zahradnik, P.C.
James Kopel
Gary & Diane Laabs
Perry & Darlene Lamp Family
Mike & Carri Lauterbach
AJ & Kim Lewis Family
Jean Lyle
Brian Machan
Brad & Mary Manatt
Larry McConnell
Rollie & Patty McCubbin
In Memory of Harley De McDonald
Doug McKechnie
Douglas & Regina Milroy
Andy & Kerri Minor
Patrick Nepereny
Pete & Brenda Petersen
Craig & Lori Peterson
Plum Creek Angus
Ronald & Mary Esther Pullin
Martin & Jo Reynolds
Bob & Mary Ritz
In Memory of Wilber & Coleen Robson
Bob & Lynne Schueler
Russ & Christy Schwartz Family
Jon & Laura Scoles
Sherry Sears
Keith & Barb Sexton
Don & Jennifer Slagle
James & Vista Smid
Glenn & JoAnn Smith
Ray & Jan Smothers
David & Mary Steele
Glenn & Ginger Sterk
David & Judy Stewart
Stockman's Inn
Adam & Aundrea Suntken
John & Teri Sweeney
Bret & Beth Jensen Thies
C.W. & Kay Thomas
Kent & Marcy Thomas
Travis Thomas
Donald & Cheryl Timmins
Jerry & Sandy Urfer
Gary & Judy Van Aernam
Ronald Van Genderen
Dennis Walker
Jeff & Shelley Wangsness
Jason & Melissa Wehrle
Bonnie Wetzel
James & Carolyn Wilkins
Edward Wollner
Norm & Marj Wonderlich
Yedlik Family
Your generosity directly supports the future of our livestock barns and every purpose they hold. If you’d like to become a member of Back the Barns, you may donate online at Back the Barns Campaign - Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation (convio.net) or call the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 515-262-3111 Ext. 371.
-Lauren McCullum
