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Iowa museum features fun and education for families

July 20, 2011 – Cindy Ladage -  Heartland Acres is a fun place to take the kids, that adults will enjoy as well. This museum in Independence, Iowa, provides hands-on displays, educational programs and new and changing displays of antique farm equipment, automobiles from the past and livestock that visitors can see up close and personal.

This is an award-winning museum. In 2011 the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) selected Heartland Acres as the “People’s Choice” site of the year.

Its brochure shares: “At Heartland Acres, you will find a wealth of information and hands-on fun. Our interpretive centers will lead you through the past, present and future of agriculture by means of interactive exhibits, equipment, simulators, historical displays and live farm animals.”

The museum opened in May 2007 and next May, it will celebrate its fifth anniversary. The “Barn” is comprised of 18,450 square feet and includes the livestock area as well as the exhibits such as the “Hall of Time” that begins with farming techniques used in 1830 in the Iowa Territory. The farming history shares how the early settlers worked and moves through farming techniques used today.

Visitors can spy the “glass silo” that distinguishes this beautiful museum off of Highway 20. Once inside the museum, there is a theater and array of attractions such the wooden vaneless windmill that soars from the first floor to the second floor loft where the Hall of Time is located.

Inside the “Barn” area, a car display includes a 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible, 1955 Ford Fairlane, Studebaker Roadster, Auburn, Chrysler Town & Country, Packard and even a 1917 Maxwell. The truck section offers a rare Velie truck and even an International Harvester auto buggy.

Besides the barn area, outside there is the 6,500 square-foot “Machine Shed” that houses antique tractors and as Craig Johnson, the executive director, explained, “displays the evolution to the machinery used today.”
Tractors on display include: Rumley Model H Oil Pull, Hart-Parr 28-50 steel wheels, 1928 Fordson F1485-0, Wards Twin Row, 1956 Allis Chalmers WD45 “Colt,” 1952 Massey Harris, Kincade Garden Tractor and others. There are signs, engines and other farm-related items to view as well.

One of the highlights of the machine shed until the end of 2011 is the inclusion of the Big Bud 16V747, the world’s largest farm tractor. Owned by the Williams brothers, Big Bud has 760 hp and uses a 16-cylinder Detroit Diesel engine. The tractor measures 27 feet long, 20 feet wide and 14 feet tall.

The Williams brothers’ website states: “The tires were specially made by United Tire Co. of Canada and are eight feet in diameter. When the 1,000-gallon fuel tank is full, the tractor tips the scales at over 100,000 pounds.”

Details about hours and other information may be found on the website at www.heartlandacresusa.com or by calling 319-332-0123. On the website there is also an array of interactive information that teachers and parents can share with their children, such as “Corn Knowledge” and the “Moo Milk Quiz.” Heartland Acres is located in Independence, Iowa, off Highway 20 at exit 252.

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MidCountry Media publishes Farm World newspaper. It is the largest farm newspaper in the midwest. Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey visited Heartland Acres Agribition Center July 29, 2011. The Secretary of Agriculture was visiting Northeast Iowa and made time to stop in for a tour of the Heartland Acres Campus.

The tour of the agriculture based museum included discussions with Secretary Northey about the importance of agriculture to the world and also the importance of preserving our agricultural heritage.

“Heartland Acres continues to promote Iowa agricultural history and we are pleased to show off our campus to the Secretary of Agriculture.  Getting the word out about our agricultural heritage and the future of agriculture is our primary mission”, stated Craig Johnson, Executive Director.

For more information about Heartland Acres please visit www.heartlandacresusa.com or call (319) 332.0123 or see Heartland Acres on Facebook.

Heartland Acres Agribiton Center is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, tax exempt organization with a volunteer Board of Directors. Heartland Acres remains a sustainable operation through gate admissions, tax deductable donations, grants, rental fees and gift shop sales. Heartland Acres preserves, protects, educates and entertains visitors with displays and activities which continue telling the story of our agricultural heritage. Heartland Acres Agribition Center is located at 2600 Swan Lake Blvd., Independence, IA 50644.

Heartland Acres Agribiton Center is gearing up for their Third Annual Golf Outing Wednesday September 7, 2011. Plans this year include using both golf courses in Independence.

“It is a challenge worth the effort as this is our main fund raising activity of the year” stated Craig Johnson, Executive Director for Heartland Acres.

Many golfers attending this event have been participating since the first outing and have once again made time to support Heartland Acres.  To make it worth their while the prizes this year include a new car for a hole-in-one winner.  Other hole-in-one prizes include a trip to Maui, golf related products as well as several different prizes including the favorites of assorted beef and pork bundles.

Organizers of the event are hopeful this year surpasses previous years in many ways, not just finically.  Bringing attention to area attractions and the community of Independence are always a top priority for Heartland Acres.  Whether it adds up in the form of a purchase at a convenience store, an overnight stay at a hotel, a visit to a local retailer, or just having a new visitor in town to see what we have to offer is a bonus worth the effort.

For more information about Heartland Acres and the third annual golf outing please visit www.heartlandacresusa.com/upcoming-events/ or call (319) 332.0123 or see Heartland Acres on Facebook.

Heartland Acres Agribiton Center is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, tax exempt organization with a volunteer Board of Directors. Heartland Acres remains a sustainable operation through gate admissions, tax deductable donations, grants, rental fees and gift shop sales. Heartland Acres preserves, protects, educates and entertains visitors with displays and activities which continue telling the story of our agricultural heritage. Heartland Acres Agribition Center is located at 2600 Swan Lake Blvd., Independence, IA 50644.

Many are asking, “Will Big Bud 16 V – 747 be leaving Heartland Acres?  As for now Big Bud remains on display in the Machine Shed.  Don’t delay your visit to see the worlds largest farm tractor along with a many other significant agricultural tractors and displays.

 “A Salute To Our Forefathers” exhibit opens May 14^th in conjunction with Gov. Branstad’s proclamation as Saturday, May 14, 2011 Iowa Museum Day.  Although this annual exhibit is usually unveiled on Armed Forces Day, it will begin a week early, for Iowa Museum Day.

This exhibit features local historic military artifacts, uniforms and displays from different eras; including the Civil War, Spanish American War, WW1, and WW11.  Pictures of the Buchanan County Civil War Veterans Reunions, including their badges and descriptions of the different conflicts will also be on display, courtesy of the Buchanan Co. Historical Society.  Of special interest will be a ‘PRINT’ showing a Civil War flag from the permanent collection work of the Iowa State Historical Society (the flag itself was recently restored by the State Historical Society).  Originally, the flag was made by a group of women from Quasqueton, Iowa between 1861-62 for the 27^th Iowa, Company H.

Some equipment used by the Iowa National Guard Co. L 53^rd 1905 will also be shown.  The exhibit will be on display through July 10, 2011.  It is hoped visitors will take time to view the valuable display and reflect upon the veterans that gave their all for our community and country.  This exhibit is made, in part, possible by the Buchanan Co. Historical Society and other private individuals and will be shown at Heartland Acres Agribition Center through July 10, 2011.  Heartland Acres Agribition Center is located at 2600 Swan Lake Blvd. Independence, Iowa , exit #252 from hwy. #20, and is open daily Monday-Saturday 9-4:30pm and Sundays noon-4:30pm.  Admission charge as usual.  Why not buy a yearly pass to visit Heartland Acres and come anytime.  (Maybe a nice idea for Fathers Day.)  Call 319 332-0123 or check out the website www.heartlandacresusa.com.  “Big Bud” continues to be on display through 2011.