Vote for the 2013 Site of the Year
posted
on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA), its office located in downtown Waterloo, has been working since 1996 to tell the story of Iowa agriculture in a meaningful way through events, workshops, and educational opportunities. It celebrates the land and people who have shaped rural life and agribusiness and shares their heritage. An Affiliated Area of the National Park Service, SSNHA has over 100 partner sites across the state, from museums and historic sites to parks and scenic routes.
Each year, SSNHA presents Golden Site Awards to those organizations and people whose efforts have shown “outstanding excellence in preserving and telling American's agricultural story.” The People's Choice Site of the Year is given to a partner site chosen by the public. The first round of voting took place March 18-24 among 11 nominees. The second round of voting takes place today through April 2 among three finalists: Hansen's Farm Fresh Dairy/J&J Dairy in Hudson, Wapsipinicon Mill Museum in Independence, and Motor Mill Historic Site in Elkader.
Last month, the Iowa Department of Agriculture awarded Hansen's Farm Fresh Dairy the Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award, which we featured on our blog. The Hansens are very active in their community and love to share how the dairy from their 175-cow farm reaches the tables of families. Within the last year, they have opened a new tour center and retail store and have added a tractor/trolley ride to tours – all so that people can be part what they are all about. We are excited to have the Cedar Valley represented in the final three nominees for the Site of the Year! Click here to cast your vote! The winner will be announced during the Golden Silo Awards banquet set for April 3rd.
Scott Cawelti of Cedar Falls will perform at the awards banquet set at noon April 3rd in the Sky Room at the Black’s Building in Waterloo. A student and colleague of James Hearst, Cawelti will perform some of Hearst's poems, accompanying himself with the guitar. This performance is free to the public.
Written by Clarissa McPheron
- agriculture
- awards
- hansens dairy farm
- nomination
- outdoor
- recreation
- silos & smokestacks
- waterloo