Big as a Barn News: April 2023

Share these opportunities!

WCI has 2 open staff positions right now: the Farm Chef at the Wallace Farm and the House Programs Coordinator at the Wallace House.

Both jobs are full-time, year round. Click on the button below for more information about these positions and how to apply.

Most of today's hiring comes about thru personal and professional networks. Please help WCI by sharing this news with your contacts.

Let's make some art!

We're still looking for community artists of all ages and skill levels to paint a board for this year's Prairie Art Exhibit! The "Prairie Footprints" theme will help you think about who or what has walked the land.

Visit our Prairie Art web page for all the details, plus an easy way to reserve your board(s) and pay the $10 materials fee. Boards are due back by May 12.

This exhibit will be displayed June 1 - Oct. 1 at the Wallace Farm, dawn to dusk. Free admission. Thanks to the Knock Family Charitable Fund for support.

Farm to Table Thursdays

A few reservations are still open for July and August dates at the popular Farm to Table Thursday dinners at the Wallace House. Don't despair if you missed out--join the wait list for another chance. Cancellations happen frequently and we often turn to the wait list to fill tables.

We gradually open reservations over the year. September and October dates will open July 12. If you'd like advance notice before reservations open, email Ann to let her know.

Pizza on the Prairie Coming Soon!

You'll find all the cool kids at Pizza on the Prairie every Friday night this summer. Join them each week from June 2 - September 29 for handcrafted pizza + sides, desserts and signature drinks, all made with the fresh produce grown onsite.

This family-friendly event includes live music, lawn games and the Prairie Art exhibit. Pizza on the Prairie was named Outstanding Rural Event by Iowa Tourism in 2021. Visitors from 29 Iowa counties and 12 states attended last year.

Reservations will open in late April. Watch your email for advance notice!

Spring into Hearts & Homes

Celebrate spring with our Hearts & Homes program at the Wallace House. Limited tables are open for May 12 and June 16, with more availability later in 2023. The 90-minute program includes a locally-sourced lunch, thought-provoking readings and interesting table discussion.

We always begin at 11:30 am, with doors opening 15 minutes prior. Accessible parking & entrance available with notice. For reservations and menus, please visit the Hearts & Homes web page or call 515.243.7063.

Welcome Sheryl!

Sheryl Schroer is our new Garden Production Manager at the Wallace Farm! A native of southeast Nebraska, Sheryl has worked on multiple organic farms, most recently managing a commercial farm in western Nebraska.

It didn't take long for Sheryl to get started at WCI as she has already started some seeds for this year's garden! If you are close to the Wallace Farm, be sure to stop in and say hello to Sheryl and her little Westie dog, Thor.

Make it monthly

A monthly gift is a great way to show your support for WCI. It breaks down your gift into more budget-friendly chunks and eliminates writing a check. Once your monthly gift is set up, you don't have to do anything else until you want to make changes. Monthly gifts provide WCI with a consistent revenue stream so we can better manage our budget. Visit our Support page and choose "Monthly".

Legacy giving

Do you want to ensure that the Wallace Centers of Iowa continues connecting people to food and the land for a long time to come? Consider a gift to one of WCI's two endowment funds. A distribution is issued each year from these funds for operational support and maintenance needs at our two historic sites. Gifts of any amount are welcome, and one of the funds allows for Endow Iowa tax credits. Contact Ann via email or at 515.243.7063 with your confidential questions and without any obligation.

Connect with us!

Visit us online at wallace.org

The Wallace Centers of Iowa

Wallace House: 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314

Wallace Farm: 2773 290th Street, Orient, Iowa 50858