Manning, IA-The Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park is excited to host a premiere agritourism event called ‘Evolution of the Heartland’ on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. This experience will showcase the heart of America’s rural communities, the evolution of agriculture,and the advancements in rural Iowa, especially within agriculture.

All are welcome to register for this unique event sponsored by Travel Iowa, Audubon and Carroll County Farm Bureau organizations, the Iowa Food & Family Project, and Iowa Corn Growers District 4 Committee. Participants have the option to travel from the Des Moines and Omaha metro areas on Windstar buses or drive themselves to the Hausbarn-Heritage Park in Manning for a fun-filled day of immersive,rural Iowa tours. Tour options include: General Agriculture, Livestock Management, Beef Immersion, Swine Immersion, Niche Farms, Innovation & Technology, Spirits of the Heartland, Main Street ‘Shop ‘Til You Drop’, and a Historical Church Architectural Tour. For more specific tour details and registration, visit www.germanhausbarn.com/evolution.

Participants will also get a taste of rural Iowa at the Farm-to-Table lunch accompanied by conversations with local agricultural ambassadors as well as the Community Tailgate supper provided by the Carroll and Audubon Cattlemen’s Associations.

Community members are welcome to join the Community Tailgate supper for $15 a plate and browse local produce and goods at the Iowa Vendor Showcase. There will be two locations for the Community Tailgate and Iowa Vendor Showcase, one at the Manning Hausbarn-Heritage Park and one at the Audubon County Fairgrounds from 6:30-8:30pm.

After a full day of learning and networking, participants will have the option to stay overnight for another immersive tour the following day or head home that same evening. The cost to attend the event is $100 for the day or $250 for an overnight stay and the second day’s immersive tour.

Vendors & Volunteers Needed

Evolution of the Heartland is currently seeking local vendors for the Iowa Vendor Showcase as well as local volunteers for the event. For more vendor showcase information,please reach out to Paige Hepp at mrspaigehepp@gmail.com. Participants and volunteers can register at www.germanhausbarn.com/evolution.

The Farm Babe

Social media influencer, Michelle Miller, aka ‘The Farm Babe’, who boasts more than 184,000 followers on Facebook and 17,500 followers on Instagram will be attending the Evolution of the Heartland event thanks to the support from a Manning Hotel/Motel Tax grant.

“The ability for Michelle to showcase the communities, businesses,and agricultural advancements happening in western Iowa to the world is well worth the cost to bring her to Manning,” said Shelly Greving, event creator and owner of Emerge Marketing Solutions.

Join the Evolution of the Heartland Tour and discover what the future holds for rural Iowa and the agricultural industry. See first-hand how agriculture has evolved from its early roots in Germany in the 1600’sto 1900’s farming and now to advanced technology in many Iowa agricultural businesses and Main Street communities.

About Manning Hausbarn-Heritage Park

The Manning Hausbarn-Heritage Park was preserved by the Manning Community Foundation. From the 1660’s German Hausbarn and Historic Trinity Church to the Freedom Rock and the Leet/Hassler Farmstead, the Manning Hausbarn-Heritage Park is full of attractions to take you back in time to the beautiful German heritage and agricultural roots. This unique and memorable venue has eccentric décor in a historical setting. Take a step back in time by visiting this gorgeous landmark and get a glimpse of the German heritage in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

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