Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) honored the best in heritage development during their Annual Golden Silo Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, April 9, 2008. More than 85 regional partners attended the event held at the Park Place Event Centre in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Golden Silo Awards are presented to individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate outstanding excellence in preserving and telling the stories of American agriculture. The following individuals and organizations were recognized:
* Dianna & Loren Engelbrecht, Farm House Bed & Breakfast, Fredericksburg. Golden Silo Award: The Alan Hutching’s 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.
* Hansen’s Farm Fresh Dairy, Hudson. Golden Silo Award: 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.
* Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association, West Branch. Golden Silo Award: 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.
* Darold Duerr, Hardin County Farm Museum, Eldora; Jean Stowell, Top of Iowa Welcome Center, Northwood. Golden Silo Award: Outstanding Volunteer. Honors an individual who has given tirelessly to the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.
“We are blessed in the Heritage Area with many wonderful ambassadors for agriculture’s past, present and future," commented Don Short, SSNHA President. “The Golden Silo Awards honor their selfless dedication and commitment."
Additionally, partner sites designated or receiving upgraded designations during the 2007 partner designation round were formally recognized, while outgoing Trustees and Partnership Panel members were also acknowledged for their years of service to the Heritage Area.
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 37 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.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
