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Big as a Barn News: July 2024

Chad Elliott at Wallace Farm

Singer/songwriter/artist Chad Elliott of Jefferson, IA will be performing a FREE concert at the Wallace Farm on Sunday, August 25. (WCI staff will pass the hat for tips.)

The concert is part of Chad's "Paint the Park" art + music project. Earlier in the day, Chad will set up his easel at the Farm and create a plein air painting. You're invited to watch him work and ask questions until about an hour before the concert start time.

More details will be announced later, including the concert start time and how to pre-order a picnic lunch of sandwich, salad + dessert. Reusable water bottles are welcome, but no other outside food or drink. Ala carte drinks will be available to purchase before the show. Bring your lawn chairs!

Pizza on the Prairie

Summer is half over! Have you been to the Wallace Farm for Pizza on the Prairie yet? A few reservations for July 12, 19 & 26 are available now, while August 2, 9 & 16 spots open noon Monday, July 8.

Events begin at 5 pm, and you must reserve a specific time slot for pizza orders. Chef Saralyn's weekly menus feature specialty pizzas, sides, desserts and signature cocktails.

Are you available at the last minute? Cancellations often occur on Thursdays and Fridays. If you'd like to fill in open spots, please email Amy to be added to her list.

A shout-out to multi-night live music sponsors Farmers & Merchants Bank, Greater Regional Health, FNB and Northwest Bank for their support.

We're Popular!

Our new Sherman Hill Victorian Teas are so popular that July 17 & August 21 are sold out! But don't despair: email Colette for a spot on the wait list, and watch for fall & winter dates. Held at the Wallace House, Sherman Hill Victorian Teas take place from 2:30 - 4 pm and include sweet & savory finger foods and 2 kinds of hot tea.

A short program highlights the era during which the Wallace family lived and worked in the neighborhood, 1892-1928. Specific topics might include noteworthy neighbors of the Wallace family, the fascinating history of Center Street, the neighborhood merchants who provided goods and services, or the interesting women who lived in Sherman Hill.

Worth the Trip

Captured mid-flight, this bee is just one example of the stunning artwork you'll see in this year's Prairie Art Exhibit at the Wallace Farm. Community artists of all ages and skill levels have created themed "Prairie Grasses & Flowers" paintings on 2' x 2' plywood boards. The boards are sealed to protect them from the weather and mounted on steel fence posts along the one-mile prairie path.

Sponsored by the Knock Family Charitable Fund, the display is open dawn to dusk every day thru October 1. (Please note: buildings and restrooms are typically open M-F 9 am - 4 pm.) There's no charge to view the exhibit. Take a picnic lunch to enjoy or make a reservation for Pizza on the Prairie and view the exhibit during that event.

Fresh from the Farm this fall

As you can see, the tomatoes are coming along nicely in the Wallace Farm production garden! A variety of tomatoes grown in the garden will be featured in our next Fresh from the Farm dinner at the Wallace House. At these special dinners, Chef Saralyn carries one ingredient harvested at the Wallace Farm throughout each course and provides some interesting historical content.


  • Tomatoes: September 18


  • Garlic: October 28 & October 29


These dinners are community seating and BYO beer or wine. Reservations open now. See you there!

Garden for Good planted

Under the direction of Garden Production Manager Kevin Blair, volunteers of all ages planted hundreds of sweet potato slips in the Garden for Good on June 24. We are so grateful for their help.

The Garden of Good is a plot completely set aside for sweet potato production. In the fall, the entire crop is harvested and donated to area food banks.

Why sweet potatoes? It's a crop that usually produces an abundant harvest at the Wallace Farm, stores well, is highly nutritious, easy to prepare and a staple ingredient in many cultures.

The Garden for Good is sponsored by the Meyocks Group in West Des Moines.

Stepping down August 9

Ann Taylor, VP of Marketing & Resource Development, is stepping down after 18 years. Her last day will be Friday, August 9. Ann is transitioning from full-time work to be more available to care for her parents who live near her hometown of Minburn, Iowa.

"How lucky I've been to be able to think about the Wallace family legacy every day and connect so many people to this remarkable story," she commented.

All are invited to a farewell reception at the Wallace House on Tuesday, August 6, 4 - 6 pm. You can also email Ann or call her at 515.243.7063.

A search is underway for a marketing & resource development manager. Find the job description and application instructions here.

Choose from Giving Options

Our work of connecting food, land and people wouldn't be possible without financial help from lots of folks just like you. Can you join them? Two secure online giving options are quick and easy:

-Once you've set up your recurring monthly or annual gift, you can just forget it until you want to make changes. Recurring gifts help us better forecast our contributed income

-Is a one-and-done gift better for you? Click the button and choose "One Time Donation".

-Rather write a check? Mail your gift to WCI, 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314. Thank you!

Lend your support!

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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