Iowa Farmers Union will be hosting its 3rd Annual Members Potluck Barn Party on Saturday, July 31. The festivities begin at 4:30 at the BIG OAK BARN in Elkhart. (See map below.) The event is FREE to all IFU members. If you want to attend but aren’t a member, you will be required to become a member at the barn door entry for the cost of $20 (includes all family members).
This potluck gathering will feature live music by Green Oak (Reggie Greenlaw & Curtis Snook). They are no strangers to Farmers Union events. You may remember them from our first barn party or perhaps, the IFU Convention in Perry, IA. Btw, they will be performing the iconic ‘Union Button’ song. If you know it, we hope you will join us in singing along.
Also familiar may be the wide array of tasty potluck dishes shared by attending members. IFU will provide pulled pork sandwiches and non-alcoholic beverages. If you’d like to enjoy a beer (or whatever), it’s BYOB. (Bring your own booze.)
For those of you who don’t have a go-to potluck dish, consider bringing an item for our Silent Auction. Even if you bring a dish, consider donating an item for auction. The more the merrier!
IFU will be hosting special guests Alan Guebert and Art Cullen, two Farmers Union favorites. Alan Guebert is the writer of the nationally syndicated column, the Farm & Food File and is the author of the acclaimed book, ‘The Land of Milk and Uncle Honey’. Art Cullen is the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer/editor of The Storm Lake Times and author of the book, ‘Storm Lake: Change, Resilience and Hope in America’s Heartland’.
Along with the fellowship and chance to see people you probably haven’t seen since the beginning of the pandemic, we have arranged to play bingo. Every member gets a free card to play.
Finally, yes we do have some COVID protocol we must adhere to. Although this event is FREE for all IFU members, we are asking you to register. One question on the short registration will ask you if you are fully vaccinated. Why are we asking? We want to be responsible should anyone become infected. We don’t expect this to happen, but should it happen we will need to be able to assist with contact tracing.
PLEASE READ the following Pandemic Protocol:
- Masks are not necessary if you are fully vaccinated, although you are welcome to wear one wherever you choose.
- We require that everyone wear a mask when serving themselves food.
- You may stay inside the barn for the entire event or you are welcome to be outside in the farmyard. There will be plenty of space in both places.
- Hand sanitizer and a hand-washing facility, along with restroom facilities will be available.
These are pretty simple requirements. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to call Debbie at (515) 451-8492. We want this to be an enjoyable and safe event for all members and their families.